How to deduct S-corp business expense from personal tax?

Question

I would like to know how to file business expenses from my 1040. I recently incorporate a S-corp and I had some travel expenses need to file.

Answer 1

First you need to do the 1120-S, once completed schedule K-1 goes to each owner showing their share of income and expenses.
Schedule K-1 goes on the back page of Schedule E which then goes on the 1040 as a profit or loss

Answer 2

To add to the answers above, if you paid for the travel costs personally the S corp should set up an accountable plan to reimburse you for the costs.

In an accountable plan, you fill out an expense report and submit the report and the associated receipts to the corporation. The corporation will write you a check to reimburse you. The corporation takes the tax deduction on its 1120S, and the reimbursement is not taxable to you.

If you do not follow the accountable plan procedure the expenses are not deductible. Costs paid by a shareholder are not deductible by the corporation, rather they are added to the shareholder's basis. That was an issue in the first audit I ever handled.

Answer 3

You will file a corporate return for the S-Corp using Form 1120-S. Your income and expenses including the travel costs will be reported there. Any income or loss will then flow to your personal return.

Don't forget that at the state level you'll usually have to file a regular state corporate return and pay corporate income taxes. Any income would pass to you as either shareholder dividends or the salary that the corp pays you. Many states levy a minimum franchse tax regardless of income or loss. For example, the minimum franchise tax in CA is $800 per year.

If all of this sounds Greek to you you should retain a CPA or EA to assist with your bookkeeping and tax preparation. Do NOT trust this to the storefront tax prep mills. Most of them do not have the necessary expertise to handle corporate returns properly and won't be available for regular bookkeeping or consulting support.

Answer 4

Travel expenses would be part of the corporation's ordinary business expenses and would reduce profit and wouldn't be directly deducted by you. The net profit--reduced by travel expenses among other things--flows through to your income tax return.

Answer 5

They will go on the S-corp's return. Since the S-corp net flows to your personal return, this essentially deducts it from your personal return also.