If you opt for the general method using form 8829 expenses for business use of home the first task is to calculate the percentage of business use to do this you divide the square footage of your office space by the total square footage of the home.
Home office space irs. Lasser s your income tax pages 410 411 2013 edition but if an employee requests telecommuting and the employer has on premises office space available the irs is likely to argue barring unusual facts that the home office is for the employee s convenience and not for the. According to irs home office rules home office expenses can only be deducted when a specific area of your home is used regularly and exclusively as your principal place of business however if you use the home office space as a place to meet or deal with patients clients or customers even if it is not your principal place of business you may still qualify to take a home office. For a full explanation of tax deductions for your home office refer to publication 587 business use of your home. You need to figure out the percentage of your home devoted to your business activities utilities repairs and depreciation.
If you use your home for business you may be able to deduct expenses for the business use of your home. In this publication you will find. If you qualify you can claim the deduction whether you rent or own your home. For example if your home is 2000 square feet and your home office is 400 square feet your office space is 20 of the total area of your home.
Deducting a home office is treated differently depending on your business type. But beginning in 2018 fewer taxpayers are eligible for the deduction. The simplified method can make it easier for you to claim the deduction but might not provide you with biggest deduction. Telecommuters who are required to work at home satisfy the employer convenience test observes the editors of j k.
In this publication you will find. Requirements for qualifying to deduct expenses including special rules for storing inventory or product samples. Working from home either as a remote employee or as your own boss has become common. This simplified option does not change the criteria for who may claim a home office deduction.
Beginning in tax year 2013 returns filed in 2014 taxpayers may use a simplified option when figuring the deduction for business use of their home. Businesses and those who are self employed can cut expenses by eliminating the cost of traditional office space. Divide the number of rooms used for business by the total number of rooms in the home use this method if the number of rooms is about the same. And another big benefit is claiming the home office tax deduction.
If you use part of your home exclusively and regularly for conducting business you may be able to deduct expenses such as mortgage interest insurance utilities repairs and depreciation for that area. It merely simplifies the calculation and recordkeeping requirements of the allowable deduction. Whether you qualify for this deduction is determined each year.