How is a sole proprietorship reported on taxes?

A sole proprietorship is reported on the owner's individual tax return using Schedule C, which is included with the Form 1040. Schedule C allows the sole proprietor to detail income earned from the business along with allowable expenses, thus calculating the net profit or loss from the business. This net income is then transferred to the individual tax return, subjecting it to personal income tax rates.

Using Schedule C is appropriate for sole proprietorships because these businesses are not separate legal entities; instead, their income is treated as personal income for tax purposes. This structure simplifies the tax filing process as it eliminates the need for separate business tax returns.

The other forms mentioned, such as Form 1065, Form 1120-S, and Schedule E, are used for different types of business entities or income types and are not applicable to sole proprietorships. Form 1065 is for partnerships, Form 1120-S is for S corporations, and Schedule E is typically used for reporting rental income, royalties, and income from partnerships or S corporations, not from a sole proprietorship.