Tax Guides · Checklist
Schedule C income and expense checklist
Every number we need for a self-employed business or single-member LLC on your 2026 return. Fill in one sheet per business, then upload it through the client portal or leave it in our secure drop-off box in Oakland.
Checklist
What to gather.
The PDF has a blank next to each item for the amount. Not sure where something goes? Write it under Other and we will sort it out.
Income
- Gross sales and receipts
- Returns and refunds you gave
- Other business income
- 1099-NEC, 1099-K and 1099-MISC (send the forms)
Cost of goods sold
- Inventory on January 1
- Purchases and materials
- Inventory on December 31
Expenses
- Advertising and marketing
- Merchant and platform fees
- Contract labor
- Business insurance (not health)
- Interest on business loans and cards
- Legal and professional fees
- Office expense and postage
- Rent for an office or workspace
- Equipment rental
- Repairs and maintenance
- Supplies
- Taxes and licenses
- Business travel: airfare, hotels
- Business meals
- Utilities
- Phone and internet, business share
- Software and subscriptions
- Bank fees
- Dues, education, publications
- Wages (send payroll reports)
- Other expenses
Vehicle
- Total miles driven in 2026 (miles)
- Business miles (miles)
- Commuting miles (miles)
- Parking and tolls for business
- Date first used for the business
Home office
- Office square footage (sq ft)
- Total home square footage (sq ft)
- Rent, or mortgage interest and property taxes
- Utilities for the whole home
- Homeowners or renters insurance
Equipment and big purchases
- Computers, machinery, furniture and vehicles: date, description and cost
You, the owner
- Health insurance premiums you paid
- SEP, Solo 401(k) or SIMPLE contributions
- Contractors you paid $2,000 or more: name, address, tax ID
Common questions
Common questions.
Do I need to send every receipt?
No. Send totals for each category, or the bank and credit card statements and we will total them. Keep the receipts yourself in case the IRS ever asks.
Standard mileage or actual car expenses?
Either can work, and we will run both. If you own the car and want the option of standard mileage later, you generally have to use it in the first year the car is used for the business. Either way, keep a mileage log.
Can I deduct my health insurance?
Usually, if you were not eligible for an employer plan, including a spouse's. The deduction goes on Form 1040, not Schedule C, and cannot exceed the business profit.
How does the home office deduction work?
The space has to be used regularly and only for the business. The simplified method is $5 per square foot, up to 300 square feet, for a maximum of $1,500. The regular method uses your actual home costs times the office percentage. We will use whichever is larger.
Want us to prepare it?
New clients start with a free consultation. Existing clients can upload the checklist through the client portal.