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I am married filing jointly. I started a business this year and going to school for the testing to receive my license. My husband is not listed on the business

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 1, 2019
3 replies
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How do I file jointly and add the business expenses properly when my husband is the lead individual on our tax filings?

TurboTax Self Employed Online

Best answer by ChristinaS

There is no lead individual on a tax return. Someone's name has to be first, but that doesn't mean anything beyond that. On a joint return, you each can have your own businesses, W2s, contributions, penalties, etc.

A business on a 1040 return must be either yours. In the initial screens, it asks which taxpayer had the business. The business isn't assumed to he his, and it couldn't be reported as both of yours.

Also, expenses to become something are not deductible as business expenses. For instance, you cannot deduct schooling to become a CPA or a realtor as a business expense. If you went to an eligible college or university, you can consider these education expenses, however.

Carl11_2

Employee

If your business started "this year" as you state, then you have nothing what-so-ever to report on your 2016 return.

C

ChristinaS

Employee

Yes, I guess I was thinking she meant 2016...

C

ChristinaSAnswer

Employee

There is no lead individual on a tax return. Someone's name has to be first, but that doesn't mean anything beyond that. On a joint return, you each can have your own businesses, W2s, contributions, penalties, etc.

A business on a 1040 return must be either yours. In the initial screens, it asks which taxpayer had the business. The business isn't assumed to he his, and it couldn't be reported as both of yours.

Also, expenses to become something are not deductible as business expenses. For instance, you cannot deduct schooling to become a CPA or a realtor as a business expense. If you went to an eligible college or university, you can consider these education expenses, however.