Why are my independent contractor deductions now under the the standard deduction? This is something new and not happy about it.

[jcl51355]

In prior years, I was able to deduct my business expenses and if I remember correctly, I also got the standard deduction. Now, for 2017, I notice I am only getting the standard deduction. Is this something new for this year?

[JulieCo · Accepted solution]

No, you should be able to deduct your independent contractor business expenses in addition to the standard deduction.  Both your income and your expenses for your independent contractor business should be on Schedule C of your return.

You will want to be sure that you are entering your independent contractor income and expenses in the "business" or self-employment section of TurboTax and NOT under the job-related expense section of TurboTax.  Job-related expenses are related to unreimbursed employee expenses and are only deductible if one itemizes their expenses.

To enter your self-employed (independent contractor) expenses, take the following steps in TurboTax:

1. Select to edit/update your Business Income and Expenses (under the Business tab at the top of the screen).  (See sample screenshot)
2. Select the business you want to edit/update.
3. Scroll down to Business Expenses and select Visit/Update and enter your business expenses in this section.  (See Sample screenshot.)

Or you can type "Schedule C" in the find field at the right-hand top of the screen and select "Jump to Schedule C" to be brought to this section of TurboTax.

Employment or Job-Related expenses (unreimbursed employee expenses) are entered under the Personal tab (at the top of the screen).  You will want to remove any business expenses from this section if they were entered here.  

[jcl51355]

Thank you so much for your response, sounds like it will be just what I need to do and will try that later when I have time to do so. If I have any more questions, I will do so.