Can I claim business expenses if I am acting as a general contractor to build my own home? This is a 2nd job. I'm hiring sub-contractors and purchasing material.

[Carl]

Are you self-employed as a licensed building contractor? If yes, then "you" can't deduct anything. But your business can on the SCH C if your licensed construction business is a sole proprietor or single member LLC.

[chris-smith]

I am not licensed but do have all the receipts, building permits, etc.

[Carl]

So you're not self-employed. Then no, you have absolutely nothing to claim or deduct. However, @TaxGuyBill may have information on dealing with the interest from any construction loan you may have.

[TaxGuyBill]

As Carl said, if you don't have a "business" (an endeavor to earn money), you don't have any business expenses to deduct.

The expenses you incur for building your own home will be included in its "Basis" (similar to cost), so that will have a factor when you eventually sell your home.

If you are paying interest on a construction loan, that might be deductible as mortgage interest.  However, due to the much larger Standard Deduction, that deduction may not save you any taxes.

[SSSury]

Related question: I do have a registered LLC. I was the general contractor and built my own home, paid sub contractors etc. However I also have another full time job as well. Does the term 'self employed' still applicable to me? Can I claim tax credit for the payments I made to the sub contractors?