Tax Year Prior to 2020: I am a new real estate agent. I had many expenses in 2016, but no sales or commission income. Can I deduct expenses or do I need to wait until 2017 where I have sales?

[KarenL2]

You can claim them as long as you were able to receive a commission, but just didn't.  You will file a Schedule C as a self-employed person.  (This is true as long as you have not taken any steps to become a corporation or are not a multi-member LLC.)

The Schedule C will flow onto your individual income tax return (Form 1040) and be netted with other personal income and expenses.

How to get to the area to enter your business expenses :   While inside the software and working on your return, type Schedule C in the Search at the top of the screen (you may see a magnifying glass there).  There will be a popup that says Jump to Schedule C.  Select that to get to the general area. 

Then:

• select Edit next to your business (if it is there)
• scroll to Business Expenses
• then Select one of the following, depending on what expenses you are entering: Other Common Business Expenses, Home Office, or Business Vehicle Expenses

You can use your own name and address for the business, if you don't have a business name.  And, there is no need for an EIN when it asks for that, if you don't have one. 

Follow through all the areas in the Business section of the TurboTax software and it will provide you with a lot of assistance. You'll notice blue links that have more information and details about the particular sections that will be extremely helpful. 

Also, this link may be helpful to you IRS Small Business Help Center .

[katiemarie35]

many of the expense inputs are requiring me to input my income which was 0 and I was able to collect commission I just didn't have any sales. How do I input my 0 income where it's asking me for the income information? 

[Vanessa A]

Your commission is income whether or not you had sales.  If you had commission from listing properties, that is still income.