This article will show you how to start preparing Schedule C in TurboTax, using the Forms view instead of the Interview view. If you are new to TurboTax, you must use the interview format. But if you’ve used TurboTax in previous years, or done your own Schedule C manually before, you should follow the instructions in the article to save time, as it’s usually faster to use the Forms view instead of the Interview view.

1. From the main menu, click: View and then select Forms.

2. Click: Add or View form.

3. Add a form to your tax return. Click the small plus sign (+) to the left of 2008 Federal Form 1040 – Individual, which will display a list of all available forms. Click on: Schedule C: Profit or Loss from Business. Then click: Add form.

4. Select Schedule C. If this is the first Schedule C added to the return, Create new copy is already selected. Now enter the type of business or profession of this Schedule C. For example, Tax Preparation or Real Estate Agent or Dog Catcher or whatever. Then click: Create.

5. The right side of your screen should now display Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss from Business.

6. If you wish, you can adjust the size of the Exhibit C portion of your screen. Move the cursor to the left edge of the Schedule C portion, and then move the cross symbol to the left to increase the size of the Schedule C form.

7. At the top of this screen there are 8 check boxes. Let’s go through each one to determine which ones you should check out:

#1: If this business was operated by your Spouse, check this box. So if you are the sole proprietor, do not check the box. If your wife is the sole proprietor, you must check the box.

#2: If this business was operated jointly by Taxpayer and Spouse, check this box. Generally, a business that is jointly owned and operated by a husband and wife is a partnership and must file Form 1065 instead of Schedule C. But there is a possible exception to that rule, known as a Qualified Joint Venture. See the TurboTax help screen for a detailed explanation of that situation.

#3: Check this box to file Schedule C even if you qualify to file Schedule C-EZ. Go ahead and check this box. You should get in the habit of filing Schedule C, even if you qualify for the shorter Schedule C-EZ. Using Schedule C will force you to keep better records and have a better handle on what’s going on in your business, especially with regards to expenses.

#4: Check this box if you are using your own name as your business name. If you do not have a separate business name, or “DBA” (Doing Business As), check this box.

#5: Check this box if you use your home address as your business address. If you do not have a separate business location, such as an office or store, meaning your only business address is your home address, check this box.

#6: Check this box if you completely disposed of this business in a fully taxable transaction during the year. If you didn’t sell your business, leave it alone. If you did, you should read the Help screen and you may also need to get professional tax assistance to properly report the sale of your business.

#7 and #8: These last two boxes only apply to clerics and members of religious orders. So if you’re not one of those, just ignore these boxes.