Any Tax experts out there? (non- teabag related question)

[Schema Thing]

I'm deep in the middle of doing my schedule C, using the TaxAct program and their question and answer format.

I just noticed accidentally, that as I add expenses (like vehicle mileage or supplies) that my tax refund is actually going DOWN. And, if go back and eliminate or lower the amount some expenses that I had previously entered, the tax refund actually goes UP.



Anyone have an idea what is going on? Is there a point where small business write-offs actually start working against you? Or has the program just gone wonky?



Any help will be appreciated!

[PA Democrat]

1. Sounds like the program has a bug.

I've been using TurboTax for our business for quite a few years. It's not perfect, but I've never had a problem like the one you described.

At this point, you may want to consider calculating your net profit manually, or estimating it, and filing an extension. Just be sure you have paid what you think you owe, otherwise you are going to get hit with penalties and interest.

[Schema Thing]

3. yeah, I don't know what to think... I've actually found the exact dollar amount that makes it

go up or down. A one dollar addition to expenses lowers my refund by about 20 bucks. And a ten dollar reduction in expenses lowers my refund by one dollar.

[MineralMan]

2. The only thing I can think of is

if your profit is outweighed by your health insurance amount. You can't do that. It happened to me the year I closed my business and had a loss. They disallowed the health insurance deduction, so I put it on my wife's Schedule C, since I'm her spouse. That was OK.