Schedule C for online sellers, prepared from books we already closed.
If you sell on your own or through a single-member LLC, your business profit goes on Schedule C with your Form 1040. We prepare it from your closed books: your 1099-K tied to recorded sales, cost of goods sold from counted inventory, and Schedule SE where it applies. $499 a year with a bookkeeping plan, one state return included.
Free books review · written quote · every return approved by you before it is filed
Schedule C draft from the closed books
| Gross sales, all channels | 148,300.00 |
|---|---|
| Returns and refunds | (6,120.00) |
| Net receipts | 142,180.00 |
| Cost of goods sold · Part III | (61,450.00) |
| Gross profit | 80,730.00 |
| Marketplace fees and ads | (38,940.00) |
| Shipping and other expenses | (9,210.00) |
| Net profit | 32,580.00 |
| Expenses tied to the ledger | 48,150.00 ✓ |
Also checked 2026
- 1099-K gross tied to sales ✓
- Year-end inventory counted ✓
- Sales tax held apart ✓
- Schedule SE figured from net profit ✓
For a calendar year; Form 4868 gives 6 more months to file
Illustrative figures — demo store, not a client
You sell on your own, or through a single-member LLC.
The IRS instructions have the sole member of a domestic LLC file Schedule C, unless the LLC elected to be taxed as a corporation.
Where seller returns go wrong, and how the books fix it.
Every line of the return traces back to a month we already closed.
Your 1099-K, tied out from the books
The IRS says the gross amount on a Form 1099-K isn't adjusted for fees, credits, refunds, shipping or discounts. We start from that same gross figure and show every deduction down to your payouts, so the return reports what you actually earned.
Read the answer →Inventory and cost of goods sold
When merchandise is an income-producing factor, the IRS instructions generally have you count inventory at the start and end of the year. We carry your counted stock and landed cost straight into the cost of goods sold.
Read the answer →Self-employment tax on your profit
With net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more, you pay self-employment tax at 15.3% on Schedule SE. Your net profit from Schedule C is where it starts.
Read the answer →Sales tax kept out of your income
Sales tax you collect for a state is not your profit. Where the state imposes it on the buyer it stays out of gross receipts; where it falls on you, it goes in and comes out again as a tax. Your books keep it separate either way.
See sales tax tracking →From closed books to a return you approve.
One preparer, one reviewer, and your approval before anything is filed.
- Year-end close and inventory count January
- 1099-K tied to recorded sales January
- Schedule C, with Part III cost of goods sold Yearly
- Schedule SE, where it applies Yearly
- Your Form 1040 and one state return Yearly
- Second review, then your approval Yearly
- Extension by April 15 when you need more time As needed
Your books close by day 15 of each month, so December is closed early in the new year.
Profit & Loss — September
| Amazon sales | 38,420.00 |
|---|---|
| Shopify sales | 21,760.00 |
| eBay sales | 4,310.00 |
| Net sales | 64,490.00 |
| Cost of goods sold | (23,190.40) |
| Marketplace fees | (9,874.15) |
| Gross profit | 31,425.45 |
Sample · illustrative figures · not a client
Schedule C, priced per year.
A Schedule C return is $499 a year with a bookkeeping plan, or $799 on its own, with one state return included. Yours is confirmed in writing after your free books review.
| Return | With a plan | Tax only |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule C with your Form 1040One state return included; Schedule SE where it applies · per year | $499 | $799 |
| Each extra state returnEach further state return filed alongside your federal return · per state, per year | $149 | $149 |
| Quarterly estimated tax figuresEach quarter's estimate worked out from your closed books · per quarter | $79 | $129 |
| Extension of time to fileForm 4868 or Form 7004, by the regular due date | Included | |
| 1099-K reconciliationEach Form 1099-K tied to your recorded sales | Included | |
| Prior-year or missed returnBooks for the year caught up first | That year's return price, plus catch-up books at $149 a month behind | |
Catch-up bookkeeping
Behind on your books? We bring the missing months current first, so your Schedule C starts from a full year. See catch-up →
Four steps to books you can trust.
Free books review
You send the access invitations. We look at where your books stand.
Quote in writing
Your plan and price, before you commit to anything.
Catch-up
Missing months brought current and reconciled.
Monthly close
Books closed every month, reports in your inbox.
Your return starts in the books we already keep.
We prepare from your own QuickBooks Online or Xero file, with settlements brought in through A2X or Link My Books.
Works with
Product names belong to their owners.
Answers for sole-prop sellers
Why doesn't my 1099-K match what I actually made?
Gross payments before fees and refunds, and how to tie it out.
Read the answer → AnswerDo online sellers pay self-employment tax?
Who pays it, the rate, and how your profit sets it.
Read the answer → AnswerHow to calculate cost of goods sold for an online store
Beginning inventory, purchases, ending inventory, with landed cost.
Read the answer → AnswerWhat is a disregarded entity?
Why a single-member LLC files on its owner's return.
Read the answer →Self-employment tax calculator →Quarterly tax calculator →
Behind on your books? See catch-up bookkeeping →Get my free books review →Or check your books yourself with the free self-check →
Sources
- IRS — Instructions for Schedule C (Form 1040) (2025) · fetched 2026-10-20
- IRS — Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes) · fetched 2026-10-20
- IRS — What to do with Form 1099-K · fetched 2026-10-20
- IRS — Understanding your Form 1099-K · fetched 2026-10-20
- IRS — When to file (individuals) · fetched 2026-10-20
- IRS — Estimated taxes · fetched 2026-10-20
- IRS — Estimated tax FAQ for individuals: due dates · fetched 2026-10-20
Schedule C questions
Do I file Schedule C if I sell through a single-member LLC?
Yes, in most cases. The IRS instructions have the sole member of a domestic LLC file Schedule C, unless the LLC elected to be taxed as a corporation.
My 1099-K is higher than what I was paid. What do I report?
The IRS says the gross amount on Form 1099-K isn't adjusted for fees, credits, refunds, shipping or discounts. Your books start from that gross figure and record each deduction, so the return shows both the gross and what you actually kept.
Do I have to keep an inventory?
In most cases, when merchandise is an income-producing factor, the IRS instructions have you take inventory into account at the start and end of the year. A small business taxpayer can choose not to keep an inventory, and we go through which fits your store.
When is my return due?
For a calendar year, April 15. Form 4868, sent by that date, gives an automatic 6-month extension of time to file. It does not extend the time to pay.
Do I need to pay quarterly estimated tax?
Generally yes, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more when you file. The four payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 of the following year. We can work out each one from your closed books for $79 a quarter with a plan.
Do you prepare returns in my state?
We prepare Schedule C returns for sellers living in every state except Nevada, Oregon and Maryland, with one state return included in the price.
How much does a Schedule C return cost?
$499 a year with a bookkeeping plan, or $799 on its own, with one state return included. Each extra state is $149.
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