How to benefit from a Home Office Deduction

11-06-2019Tax Information

A home office deduction can be taken when a taxpayer uses a portion of their home exclusively, and on a regular basis, for any of the following:

• As the taxpayer’s main place of business.
• As a place of business where the taxpayer meets patients, clients or customers. The taxpayer must meet these people in the normal course of business.
• If it is a separate structure that is not attached to the taxpayer’s home. The taxpayer must use this structure in connection with their business
• A place where the taxpayer stores inventory or samples. This place must be the sole, fixed location of their business.
• Under certain circumstances, the structure where the taxpayer provides day care services.

Deductible expenses for business use of a home include:

• Real estate taxes
• Mortgage interest
• Rent
• Casualty losses
• Utilities
• Insurance
• Depreciation
• Repairs and Maintenance

Certain expenses are limited to the net income of the business. These are known as allocable expenses. They include things such as utilities, insurance, and depreciation.  While allocable expenses cannot create a business loss, they can be carried forward to the next year. If the taxpayer carries them forward, the expenses are subject to the same limitation rules.

There are two options for figuring and claiming the home office deduction.

• Regular method: This method requires dividing the above expenses of operating the home between personal and business use. Self-employed taxpayers file Form 1040, Schedule C, and compute this deduction on Form 8829.
• Simplified method: The simplified method reduces the paperwork and record-keeping for small businesses. The simplified method has a set rate that is capped at $1,500 per year, based on $5 a square foot for up to 300 square feet.

There are special rules for daycare providers, self-employed individuals and farmers.