How do I type in form Schedule C-EZ?

[Johnny_K]

I have income from a 1099-MISC entry that TurboTax (Premier) automatically re-routed into the step-by-step section for Business Income and Expenses. TurboTax generated the Schedule C without giving me an option for Schedule C-EZ, which seems more appropriate for my case. In contrast, Schedule C really seems like overkill--the payment on the 1099-MISC was a one-time payment for doing work similar to, but outside of, my normal employment; I am not running a business with employees, inventory, depreciation, health care insurance, etc.!

But after manually adding Schedule C-EZ as a form, I cannot get TurboTax to accept anything typed in its boxes. I deleted the original Schedule C, thinking that perhaps it was interfering (i.e., cannot use both C and C-EZ simultaneously) but that did not correct the problem. How can I get TurboTax to allow my entries into Schedule C-EZ? Is there some sort of refresh operation?

(As an aside, the entry in the Business Items section was not my doing. I entered the 1099-MISC in the 1099-Misc section. TurboTax then decided to zero the amount out there, and moved the entry to the Business Income and Expenses (Sch C) line. The software seems really pushy about using Schedule C above all else!

Johnny

p.s.  I did see the post at https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/business-taxes/discussion/how-do-i-add-a-schedule-c-ez/01/403512#M..., and followed its steps, but they do not correct any problems for me.

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

You're "fighting the system" unnecessarily.  Let TurboTax (CC) do it's  job.  There's no advantage for using Schedule C-EZ over Schedule C. The TT fee is the same. The risk (or non risk) of an IRS audit is the same.

Although it may be news to you that you “have a business” (and most of the other people who get their first 1099-MISC); The IRS considers anything in box 7 of 1099-MISC to be self employment income. Enter the 1099-Misc income, at Other Common income / income from a 1099-MISC . TurboTax (TT) will complete Schedule C or C-EZ (if appropriate) for you and allow you to deduct any expenses associated with this income. You'll also have to pay self employment tax (social security & Medicare) on any profits greater than $400. These types of payments are frequently done this way. Your "employer" is not the only one.

The IRS also considers undocumented cash income (no W-2 or 1099-MISC), for work performed, to be self employment income.

You cannot make manual entries on the forms with on-line TT. But, it appears that you are using desk top/download software.  To make manual entries,  you right click on each box/line and use the override feature.

[Johnny_K]

Thanks for your response. I wasn't aware that there was an Override option, which was what finally allowed me to type in the form fields. 😃

Ultimately, I saw in the Forms view that TurboTax created two Schedule C-EZ forms, simultaneously and in parallel, with the regular Schedule C. They were Schedules C-EZ-T and C-EZ-S, identical in their blank states. (The only difference was in their Forms menu names; the forms themselves omit the -T and -S suffixes.) I was unable to uncover any information about the distinction between the two EZ versions. However, when I typed my entries into the Schedule C form, EZ-T was automatically populated with the same values, while EZ-S remained effectively blank. I eventually deleted Schedule C-EZ for clarity.

I read on another post that only one of the two versions of Schedule C--regular Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ--will be submitted to the IRS. Based on its creation and correct field population, it looks like my submitted form will be Schedule C-EZ(-T). This is what I wanted all along! So problem solved.

Thanks for your help,

Johnny