Error message about changing 1099-NEC/Schedule C but I cannot change what it wants me to

[theremy]

I'm 99% done with my taxes but I keep getting this error message related to my 1099-NEC:

"A link to Schedule C and a link to either Schedule F, Form 8919 (Wages) or the Other Income Statement have been selected to report nonemployee compensation. Only one can be selected. You must remove the link that is not applicable."

For context I did some DoorDash delivery work and have reported it on a Schedule C as "food delivery". TurboTax shows me the 1099-NEC worksheet, but it will only let me edit the text input for Box 1 Schedule C. These are what I need to link, so I don't want to change that line. However, I'm not able to change anything else on that form. What does TurboTax want me to do?

[CatinaT1 · Accepted solution]

Currently there is a known issue when using TurboTax Online that is related to the program asking you to double-click to link to Schedule C. 

Please review the article below and use the link in the article to enter your email address to be notified once this is resolved:  

TurboTax: Why Am I Unable to Link my 1099-NEC?

Also you can review the information below for possible steps to solve the issue.  

Income reported on Form 1099-NEC must be reported on Schedule C, the program is trying to link these two forms together to be sure that it is reported correctly and on the right form.

Revisit the section where you entered the Form 1099-NEC if you entered it on its own and delete that entry, by following these steps:

1. Open TurboTax.
2. On the top right corner of TurboTax online screen, click on Search (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax locate the search box in the upper right corner).
3. Type in “1099-NEC” (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax, click Find),
4. Click on “Jump to 1099-NEC”
5. Click on the blue “Jump to 1099-NEC” link

This will bring you a summary of all Form 1099-NEC that you have entered.  Click Delete or the trash can icon next to each one.

Next, you will re-enter the Form 1099-NEC as part of the Schedule C so that the income is reported directly as part of your Business Income and Expenses and within the correct form and section of your return.

Follow these steps to go to the Schedule C section of your return:

1. On the top right corner of TurboTax online screen, click on Search (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax locate the search box in the upper right corner).
2. Type in “schedule c” (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax, click Find).
3. Click on “Jump to schedule c”.
4. Click on the blue “Jump to schedule c” link

If you already have created a Schedule C in your return, click on edit and go to the section to Add Income.  This is where you will re-enter the Form 1099-NEC. 

If you do not already have a Schedule C in your return, follow the prompts and enter the information about your work/business for which you received the Form 1099-NEC.  Then continue through that section to Add Income and enter the Form 1099-NEC along with any additional income you received for that business.  

Once you have completed this, the error should be eliminated. 

[theremy]

That worked! Thank you so much.

[gregk21]

I don't have a schedule C And I don't have any expenses, I called in twice to try to fix this issue and no one was able to help. 

The last lady I talk to from TurboTax told me I can still file but when I try to file it says I'm not able to e-file without this problem being solved. 

please advice

[AnnetteB6]

You did not state whether or not you have a Form 1099-NEC as part of your return, but if you do, then you need a Schedule C.  You are not required to have expenses in order to report your Form 1099-NEC income on Schedule C.  

Form 1099-NEC reports Non-Employee Compensation, or self-employment income. 

Schedule C is used to report income and expenses from self-employment.  You are considered self-employed if you have received a Form 1099-NEC from a company for which you provide services, but you are not their employee.

If this is the case, then get started with Schedule C by describing the type of business you have based on the type of services you provide.  TurboTax will guide you through the process by asking you questions one step at a time.  

Use these steps to go to the Schedule C section of your return:

• On the top row of the TurboTax online screen, click on Search (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax locate the search box in the upper right corner)
• This opens a box where you can type in “schedule c” (be sure to enter exactly as shown here) and click the magnifying glass (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax, click Find)
• The search results will give you an option to “Jump to schedule c”
• Click on the blue “Jump to schedule c” link

Once your Schedule C is set up, use the Add Income option to enter the details from your Form 1099-NEC.

Take a look at the following TurboTax article for more information:  Does a 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC mean I'm self-employed?

@gregk21

[gregk21]

Yes I a Form 1099-NEC

Once I log in and then

do as you say and click on the search bar (online) it takes me to a page to log in.

and then if I log back in it just takes me back to my normal page within TurboTax. Therefore I cannot search for schedule C with the instructions you gave

[MaryM428]

Use the Chrome browser and clea browser data for all time.
 

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More .
3. Click More tools  Clear browsing data.
4. Choose a time range All time.
5. Select the types of information you want to remove.
6. Click Clear data.

Then sign on to TurboTax in the Chrome browser:

• Federal
• Wages and Income
• Income from Form 10999-NEC
• Add or edit you 1099-NEC and for the question:  Self-emplyed 1099-NEC Income, select the business or add a new business if needed.

@gregk21

[gregk21]

 clearing browser data did not fix the issue, but when asked if there are any Expenses I put no, And according to one of the documents you linked to TurboTax should generate a schedule C regardless.

But apparently, it doesn't.

The second screenshot is what is preventing me from filing.

If I remove the words YouTube videos it still does nothing. 

Apparently there is no Schedule C to link to or it's not linking to it

[AmyC]

The words are just the name of your business, which is fine. It is sitting on the sch C line, double click that  line and it should link to your business. One click will not work. A double click on sch C should fix your problem.

If the double click does not work, delete the 1099-NEC completely.

Instead, go back to federal income, scroll to your business, edit, edit. Then add the form back in here, under business income. This avoids having to link anything.

@gregk21

[mark_j10101010]

Also if you are adding business expenses for the business please report in the Deductions and credits and not in the 1099-NEC sections questions. 

[DawnC]

Business expenses should not be entered in the Deductions and Credits section.   That section is for personal deductions and credits.   All business income and business expenses go on Schedule C.     

If you’re self-employed or own a business, enter your business-related expenses on Schedule C.     @mark_j10101010

[mark_j10101010]

Even when you the NEC is for another employer and your personal business expense are not related? Is the Schedule C for the NEC or your personal business; or both? 

[AnnetteB6]

Schedule C would be for any self-employed business.  So, if you have a self-employed business already, but you received a Form 1099-NEC for unrelated or a different kind of work than your self-employed business, then you need to create a second Schedule C to report the Form 1099-NEC income.  

The business that paid you through Form 1099-NEC was not considering you an employee or you would have received a W-2.  Therefore, you are also considered to be self-employed for the income reported on Form 1099-NEC even though it may not be related to your personal business.

@mark_j10101010

[emma10]

I am having the same problem. When I double click nothing happens. I have tried deleting and re-adding my 1099-NEC but that doesn't change anything either. My 1099-NECs are currently listed in the self-employment section.

Update: I searched 1099-NEC and found the 1099-NEC Summary (which I have been trying to find for days). And I had the problem 1099-NEC listed twice. I deleted the extra copy. That seems to have fixed the problem.

[Sebastienc]

Thanks Emma. That pointed me in the right direction. Inside of going through the Wizard or going to "Self employment income section" under Your Income and Expenses, I did run a search for 1099-NEC. It opened a page with a chart of the 1099s I entered!! To my surprise, I had the same 1099 entered twice. So I deleted one and it worked... (I have now another weird issue, but that's another story).