Schedule C Client Interview Guide — Self-Employment Income & Expense Worksheet for Tax Preparers (2026)

Self-employed clients are a gold mine but also a liability. Ask the wrong questions (or not enough questions) and you're looking at a Schedule C with missing income, overclaimed deductions, and an audit waiting to happen. Most preparers either under-ask and leave money on the table for their client or over-ask and kill the appointment flow.

The Schedule C Client Interview Guide gives you a structured, question-by-question worksheet to walk through with every self-employed client. It covers income sources, business expenses, home office, vehicle use, and more, so you capture everything accurately, ask the right follow-up questions, and prepare a defensible return every time.

Stop leaving self-employment deductions on the table — and stop missing compliance red flags.

Designed to be completed with the client in the room or over the phone. Every blank is either a potential missed deduction or a compliance risk.

What's included (9 Sections):

• Section 1 — Client & Business Information — Business name, structure, EIN, NAICS code, employees, and contractors
• Section 2 — Business Income — Gross receipts, 1099-NEC, cash income, 1099-K (2026 threshold: $20,000 / 200 transactions), and other income sources
• Section 3 — Vehicle & Mileage — Standard vs. actual method, business use percentage, mileage log verification, 2026 IRS mileage rate (72.5 cents/mile), up to 2 vehicles
• Section 4 — Home Office — Eligibility check, simplified vs. regular method calculator, square footage, daycare provider special rules
• Section 5 — Meals & Entertainment — 50% deductible business meals, documentation requirements, travel meals, employee meals, audit log reminders
• Section 6 — Phone & Internet — Business use percentage calculation for cell phone and home internet, dedicated business line, software subscriptions
• Section 7 — Other Business Expenses — 19 expense categories including advertising, equipment, contract labor, professional development, rent, repairs, travel, uniforms, and wages
• Section 8 — Documentation Reminders — Audit trigger checklist covering mileage logs, bank statements, receipts, home office measurements, prior year Schedule C, and more
• Section 9 — Preparer Notes & Red Flags — Space to document potential issues, missing items, disallowed deductions, and due diligence confirmation

Perfect for: tax preparers, enrolled agents, CPAs, self-employment tax returns, Schedule C clients, gig worker tax returns, freelancer taxes, 1099-NEC income, home office deduction, mileage deduction, tax preparer interview guide, client intake tools, due diligence compliance, tax office systems.

File format: Editable .docx (Microsoft Word) Tax Year: 2026 Compatibility: Microsoft Word 2016 and later, Google Docs Provider: Tax IQ Academy | taxiqacademy.com | IRS-Approved CE Provider