Uber vehicle expense reduced to 0, I do "itemized" expense and it's asking me for half/quarter convention (I don't know) and prior depreciation values (I don't know how).

[iffw2012]

I don't know if I've previously used half or quarter convention and I don't know what prior depreciation values Turbotax calculated or entered. I was on phone help for over an hour and they couldn't help me. It's giving automatic estimates of 0 for prior depreciation (this doesn't seem right) and as a result giving me NO vehicle expense deduction which is ballooning my federal owed.

[DianeW777]

All the information comes from your prior year return. Even if you used your vehicle in earlier years, your 2024 return should have all the information you need.  See some details below that may help you find the information. The total business miles and total miles for the year are critical components needed to assist you as well, in 2025 and every prior year.

First we must know if the vehicle was placed in service for your Uber business before 2025.  if you used the standard mileage rate (SMR) for this vehicle the first year placed in service, then you have options for actual expenses in future years. If you used the actual depreciation expense then SMR will never apply to this vehicle.

How do determine which convention you used when the vehicle was placed in service (also depends on the business use percentage):

• MId Quarter Convention: The vehicle and any other five year asset (if applicable) was placed in service the first year in the last quarter of the year.
• Half Year Convention: The vehicle was placed in service at any time other than the last quarter of the tax year.

It sounds as though you did use this vehicle in your Uber business in 2024 and possibly earlier years (depends on when you started using it for your Uber business).

• How do I view, download or print my prior year tax return?
• Where can I find my returns for prior years?

@iffw2012 

[iffw2012]

You did clarify the convention point, I would be filing as half year.

I've never taken the standard mileage deduction as I didn't own the car its first work year.

It's always let me do actual expense deductions...however this year it was asking me what I previously entered for depreciation, and the Turbotax site was giving me estimates of 0. I don't know where in my 2024 return I would find depreciation values. 

The main point of confusion, is even going with their estimates of 0, I was then given 0 deduction from my 4 figures worth of vehicle expenses, as I have every year prior, which was producing an owed tax far greater than expected.

I can see the expense figures I gave as I get to the depreciation portion of the expenses, but am I supposed to enter it elsewhere so I get those deductions?

If I'm not getting mileage deduction, aren't I legally entitled to take those expense deductions? This is what's not seeming right to me, as I've always been able to do that to reduce my owed tax.

[MonikaK1]

Yes, you are entitled to deduct either actual expense plus depreciation, or mileage. Depreciation appears on Form 4562. TurboTax will have worksheets that accompany it. Detailed calculation information in TurboTax Online can be found by navigating to Tax Tools > Tools > View Tax Summary > Preview My 1040 to access the Form 1040 Worksheet. This worksheet, specifically the Tax Smart Worksheet located between lines 15 and 16, provides the in-depth, step-by-step calculations for your tax liability. 

If you haven't already, use the steps provided by @DianeW777 to access and print last year's return.

It appears that you are using TurboTax Online. Could you have used a different account this year than you used for 2024 and this is why you aren't seeing last year's depreciation?

Review the questionnaire for Business Vehicle Expense to confirm whether you entered information for a vehicle.

@iffw2012