Can I claim startup expenses that I incurred for my new business in 2019, but did not officially open until Jan 2020?

[dawnnmk]

I took a course, got my marketing in place and established my business as an LLC all in 2019. I did not start selling until Jan 2020, so I have no income to report for 2019.

[Critter]

See the info starting on page 26  :   https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p535.pdf

More general info :  https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/recommended-reading-for-small-business...

[Carl]

For a SCH C business, startup expenses are claimed in the tax year the business officially opens for business. It does not matter in what year the expense was incurred either.