Expenses in 2016, income in 2017. Can I wait to deduct expenses for when I gat income

[AmyT · Accepted solution]

You are only allowed to deduct expenses in the year that you paid them.

In your case (assuming that we are speaking of business expenses for a Schedule C or rental expenses on Schedule E), you should report the 2016 expenses on your 2016 income tax return even if you do not have income.