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Level 1
posted Mar 17, 2020 12:19:34 PM

Is the definition of "self-employed income", the total revenue minus costs?

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2 Best answers
Expert Alumni
Mar 17, 2020 12:33:32 PM

Yes, your self-employed income is equal to your self-employed revenues minus the deductible expenses.

Expert Alumni
Mar 17, 2020 12:53:42 PM

Let's back up to income. When you are filling out the schedule C, at the top, it asks for income. In that location, it means total of all revenue from every source. When you are talking to a bank about income - it is Minh's answer above. So sorry for the confusion!

 

You want all income at the top and then list expenses, subcontractors, supplies, etc down under the actual category for each expense. The IRS uses those categories, with your income and location to determine  your audit risk. Let me help with some links for business owners:

Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center - complete guide

5 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 17, 2020 12:33:32 PM

Yes, your self-employed income is equal to your self-employed revenues minus the deductible expenses.

Level 1
Mar 17, 2020 12:43:27 PM

Thank you for responding yes. On the Turbo Tax format, it also asks for Subcontractor labor. Do you add that number in again?

Expert Alumni
Mar 17, 2020 12:53:42 PM

Let's back up to income. When you are filling out the schedule C, at the top, it asks for income. In that location, it means total of all revenue from every source. When you are talking to a bank about income - it is Minh's answer above. So sorry for the confusion!

 

You want all income at the top and then list expenses, subcontractors, supplies, etc down under the actual category for each expense. The IRS uses those categories, with your income and location to determine  your audit risk. Let me help with some links for business owners:

Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center - complete guide

Level 1
Mar 18, 2020 8:16:36 AM

So, if I am reading this right, total income is gross revenue, not net revenue. I build swimming pools, so I have gross revenue, equipment purchases and subcontractor labor that gets deducted to realize net revenue (income). Right? 

Expert Alumni
Mar 18, 2020 8:28:20 AM

That is correct.  You will enter gross income first and then expenses after that to get the net.