Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Biz Owners: Should You Deduct Your Home Office?


If you use a portion of your home for business purposes, you may be able to take a home office deduction whether you are self-employed or an employee. Expenses that you may be able to deduct include the business portion of real estate taxes, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, insurance, depreciation, painting, and repairs.

You can claim this deduction for the business use of a part of your home only if you use that part of your home regularly and exclusively:

  • as your principal place of business for any trade or business, or

  • as a place to meet or deal with your patients, clients, or customers in the normal course of your trade or business.

Generally, the amount you can deduct depends on the percentage of your home that you use for business. Your deduction will be limited if your gross income from your business is less than your total business expenses.

If you use a separate structure not attached to your home for an exclusive and regular part of your business, you can deduct expenses related to it.

The rules vary depending on whether you're self-employed, a qualified daycare provider, or storing business inventory or product samples. If you are an employee, you have additional requirements to meet. The regular and exclusive business use must be for the convenience of your employer. 

Benita Tyler - Redford, MI Accounting and Tax Advisors / TBS USAWant more advice on your accounting and tax issues? TBS USA is a national tax, accounting and business consultancy available to answer your questions!  Visit www.tbsusa.com today!




Do you deduct your home office annually? How has it benefited you?


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