I have a small amount of self employment income, and am not sure I'll be able to deduct over $630 in qualified expenses / mileage. I would however like to enter them to find out, but do not want to pay $99 if i'm only able to save $50
Technically, if you have any business expense, the IRS requires you report them.
Not reporting business expenses COULD result in higher than deserved "Qualified Business Income Deduction" and/or "Earned Income Credit".
According to the IRS:
"A self-employed individual is required to report all income and deduct all expenses. Revenue Ruling 56-407, 1956-2 C.B. 564, deals with the issue of taxpayers not taking all allowable deductions in computing net earnings from self-employment for self-employment tax purposes. Rev. Rul. 56-407 held that under §1402(a), every taxpayer (with the exception of certain farm operators) must claim all allowable deductions in computing net earnings from self-employment for self-employment tax purposes.
Net earnings from self-employment are included in earned income for EITC purposes. It is defined by cross-reference to the definition of net-earnings from self-employment under I.R.C. §1402(a). This ruling applies equally to the EITC. CCA 200022051 also provides insight regarding deduction of Schedule C expenses."