topic Can I claim expenses as a Realtor, if I didn't make any income? in Deductions & credits

Can I claim expenses as a Realtor, if I didn't make any income?

kregelop-gmail-c — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:47:49 GMT

Re: Can I claim expenses as a Realtor, if I didn't make any income?

PattiF — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 17:04:01 GMT

Yes. You can still claim your real estate agent expenses, even though you had no income. A loss in your business can offset income in other areas of your return and reduce taxes/increase refunds.

You can deduct expenses as long as you can prove that you opened or were in business in the year expenses were incurred. To be deductible, a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary. Please note that if you do not have profit for three out of five years, IRS might question your profit motive.

As a real estate agent, you are considered to be self-employed. You report both income (if any) and expenses on Schedule C/Business Income & Expenses.

Please see this TurboTax Tax Tip about Schedule C.

Re: Can I claim expenses as a Realtor, if I didn't make any income?

kregelop-gmail-c — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 15:10:31 GMT

Thank you for the answer; that's what I thought, but didn't see how to do that on Turbo Tax while I was entering my information. I'm afraid now I'll have to file an amendment on paper.

Patt