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New Member
posted Feb 11, 2023 8:46:26 AM

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

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2 Replies
Expert Alumni
Feb 11, 2023 9:04:01 AM

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.

New Member
Feb 14, 2023 7:10:31 AM

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