Schedule C Calculator
Build Form 1040 Schedule C line by line for 2026 — gross receipts, COGS, mileage, and Part II expenses — straight through to line 31 net profit.
Line 31 is the number that drives both Schedule SE and your quarterly payments. Fill in the lines that apply to your business and see the profit, self-employment tax, and total tax that follow.
Schedule C, line by line
These fields follow Form 1040 Schedule C: gross receipts at the top, cost of goods sold in Part III, ordinary expenses in Part II, and vehicle mileage in Part IV. Fill in what applies and the net profit on line 31 is calculated for you.
Schedule C summary
Tax flowing from line 31
Line 31 net profit carries to Schedule 1 and to Schedule SE. A loss can offset other income, but three loss years in five invites a hobby-loss challenge. Estimates only — not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
- Who has to file Schedule C?
- Any sole proprietor or single-member LLC with business income, including gig workers and freelancers who receive a 1099-NEC or 1099-K, or who are paid in cash.
- What is line 31 on Schedule C?
- Line 31 is your net profit or loss: gross receipts minus returns, cost of goods sold, and Part II expenses. It flows to Schedule SE for self-employment tax and to Form 1040 as income.
- Do I need a separate Schedule C for each gig app?
- No, if the work is the same line of business. Combine DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart delivery on one Schedule C; file a separate one for a genuinely different business.
- Do I have to file Schedule C if I earned under $600?
- Yes. The $600 figure is only the platform's 1099-NEC reporting threshold. All business income must be reported, and self-employment tax starts at $400 of net profit.
- Where does mileage go on Schedule C?
- Line 9 (Car and truck expenses), with vehicle details in Part IV. In 2026 the standard rate is $0.70 per business mile.
- Can Schedule C show a loss?
- Yes. A loss generally offsets other income on Form 1040, but repeated losses on an activity without a profit motive can be challenged as a hobby.
Related calculators
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- Side Hustle Taxes CalculatorFederal + SE + state tax on side income for 2026.
- Gig Worker Tax CalculatorFederal + SE + state tax and mileage for any mix of gig platforms.
Related blog posts
- The Gig Economy Tax Guide for the USA (2026)Complete 2026 US gig economy tax guide — 1099 forms, Schedule C, SE tax, quarterly payments, deductions, and state rules for every gig platform.
- Schedule C Line-by-Line: The 2026 Guide for 1099 Gig WorkersEvery Schedule C line explained for 1099 gig workers in 2026 — with DoorDash, Uber, and freelance examples, plus the exact expense categories to use.
- Cell Phone Deduction for the Self-Employed: 2026 Rules, Methods, and RecordsHow self-employed filers deduct a cell phone in 2026 — business-use percentage, the device vs. the plan, Section 179, and audit-proof documentation.
- Internet Deduction for the Self-Employed: How Much of Your Bill Is Actually DeductibleHow self-employed filers deduct home internet in 2026 — business-use percentage, Schedule C lines, home-office interaction, and records that survive an audit.