This section provides general information on where to report the expenses discussed in this publication.
Self-employed. You must report your income and expenses on Schedule C or C-EZ (Form 1040) if you are a sole proprietor, or on Schedule F (Form 1040) if you are a farmer. You do not use Form 2106 or 2106-EZ.
If you claim car or truck expenses, you must provide certain information on the use of your vehicle. You provide this information on Schedule C, Schedule C-EZ, or Form 4562.
If you file Schedule C:
Report your travel expenses, except meals, on line 24a,
Report your meals (actual cost or standard meal allowance) and entertainment on line 24b (The 50% limit is figured on line 24c.),
Report your gift expenses and transportation expenses, other than car expenses, on line 27, and
Report your car expenses on line 9. Complete Part IV of the form unless you have to file Form 4562 for depreciation or amortization.
If you file Schedule C-EZ, report the total of all business expenses on line 2. You can only include 50% of your meals and entertainment in that total. If you include car expenses, you must also complete Part III of the form.
If you file Schedule F:
Report your car expenses on line 12. Attach Form 4562 and provide information on the use of your car in Part V of Form 4562.
Report all other business expenses discussed in this publication on line 34. You can only include 50% of your meals and entertainment on that line.
See your forms instructions for more information on how to complete your tax return.
Both self-employed and an employee. If you are both self-employed and an employee, you must keep separate records for each business activity. Report your business expenses for self-employment on Schedule C, C-EZ, or F (Form 1040), as discussed earlier. Report your business expenses for your work as an employee on Form 2106 or 2106-EZ.
Employees. If you are an employee, you generally must complete Form 2106 to deduct your travel, transportation, and entertainment expenses. However, you can use the shorter Form 2106-EZ instead of Form 2106 if you meet all 3 of the following conditions.
You are an employee deducting expenses attributable to your job.
You were not reimbursed by your employer for your expenses (amounts included in box 1 of your Form W-2 are not considered reimbursements).
If you claim car expenses, you use the standard mileage rate.
For more information on how to report your expenses on Forms 2106 and 2106-EZ, see Completing Forms 2106 and 2106-EZ.
Gifts. If you did not receive any reimbursements (or the reimbursements were all included in box 1 of your Form W-2), the only business expense you are claiming is for gifts, and the Special Rules discussed later do not apply to you, do not complete Form 2106 or 2106-EZ. Instead, claim the amount of your deductible gifts directly on line 20 of Schedule A (Form 1040).
Information about:
Statutory Employees
Vehicle Provided by Your Employer
Information courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service.
