As with many tax situations, it depends.
Transportation costs (public or private) can be deductible expenses for self-employment income.
If you have multiple job sites for single client (or multiple clients), you can deduct your transportation costs.
(Example: If you performing your self-employment work at a series of single locations (each for a temporary period of time), you would be able to claim a deduction).
If you work out of a home office and have no regular place of business, you may deduct your commuting costs between your home office and a client's location.
If you have a place of business, such as a store or office, you cannot deduct your costs to commute between your home and your place of business.
(Example: If you are performing all of your self-employment work at a single, unchanging location you would not be able to claim a deduction).
Unfortunately, you will need TurboTax Home & Business to report the income and the expenses for this work. The IRS requires you to report 1099-MISC income on Form 1040
The TurboTax Free Edition can only prepare Forms 1040-EZ and 1040-A. These are simpler returns, and why TurboTax offers this product for free.
It's my understanding that going to and from the same location every day is commuting, and thus not deductible?
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I saw that article and others that offered more flexibility. The poster did not indicate that it was a "place of business", i.e. a single job site or if he had a "home office" or if they were different clients. If multiple job sites or clients, he can claim commuting expenses Having said that, I am going to update the response.