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How many of you file home office deduction on your taxes? - Justwondering

Posted: Jan 28, 2011

I have not filed for the home office deduction in the past, even though I do have a fair size room dedicated solely to my office so, therefore, I would qualify. This year I had to buy a new computer for my job. My husband works out of state, so we have a lot of deductions for him and I am wondering if I should file for the home office deduction or not? I know it is quite often flagged for audit by the IRS, but I feel I am entitled to it. I just do not want to risk the higher chance of being audited. Wondering how many of you do file for it and don't have any problems with the IRS.

YES!!! - no1joe

[ In Reply To ..]
and I use Turbo Tax. They walk you through step by step. When you claim a home office, you can also claim a percentage of your electric, heating costs, etc., etc., based on the size of the space it takes to keep it up and running.... not to mention anything you need to furnish your home office (desk, chair, lamp, etc.) and any of your computer equipment and reference materials, internet, phone, etc. If you are making 100% of your income out of your home office as an MT, it is definitely worth it. If you missed past years, you can go and amend your previous taxes too. I am a homeowner... so I don't know how this applies for those who rent. No... I've never been audited but I do buy the audit protection just in case. Just for the heck of it, use TT or other similar on-line software program and compare what you would get back with and without claiming your office. With TT, you don't have to pay until you submit it. Good luck : )

How many of you file home office deduction on your taxes? - Justwondering

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm going to do it!

I know raising a possible red flag - no1joe

[ In Reply To ..]
can be kinda scary (the way my life has been going lately... I kinda expect the IRS to be on my tail as a cherry on the cake :/), but it's so worth it. It might also be worthwhile, if you haven't claimed it in past years, to actually sit down with a tax expert to go back and ammend your claim(s) for your office for past years. I don't push my luck though... I know people who have claimed getting the office painted, the adjacent bathroom, and other stuff like that (you can't claim a new set of china just because you might bring a dish in your office to have a snack). I also don't claim anything that I don't have a recepit for... just in case. Anyway, I hope you get a little bit extra come April (and hope you treat yourself to something nice).

I claimed remodel of office at my tax guy's ok. If problems, - IRS talks to tax guy.

[ In Reply To ..]
x

I did also as I feel this is a legitimate write off, but - also remember if you are

[ In Reply To ..]
audited, you will definitely be involved in the process. Your tax professional will probably help you out with speaking to them (btw, you can get someone to do this even if they didn't file your taxes), but if money is owed back, it is not the tax professionals money to pay back.

I have seen some really crazy write offs that I will not do; though, a tax professional has advised a friend to do.

Most assuredly! - SuzyQ

[ In Reply To ..]
My hubs works out of state, too. I have always claimed home office space, also utilities, equipment, etc. I recommend going to a tax preparer to make sure it's correct, tho.

How many of you file home office deduction on your taxes? - Justwondering

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you again! I can't wait!

When kids younger, I claimed paying them for office chores, - % of utilities, office TV, Fridge, microwave. SM

[ In Reply To ..]
All my claims I first ran by my tax guy and only made claims he okay. Like, he said no go on claiming multilevel deck just cause I go out there with notebook to work, lol. Btw, tax guy fee is a write off.

there are certain rules if claiming and then selling home - ICManiac

[ In Reply To ..]
I am uncertain of the details, but I remember an MT who claimed her office space on taxes. Later when she sold her home, an issue came up about some of that being charged back to her, or maybe it had an effect on gross profits after the sell..?? What I do remember was that the rule applied if you claimed the deduction and sold the home within 2 years of the deduction, so point being don't claim it for the 2 years before selling the home. The rule could have changed by now, so do check with a tax expert.

I rent a 2 bedroom apt with a den. I claim the full square feet of the room, plus any software purchases and books, a portion of the internet (since I use it for personal reasons also), my telephone, part of the electricity, and I bought a new computer in 2010 so that will be a deduction as well.

That's only if (sm) - Been there done that

[ In Reply To ..]
That's only if you depreciate part of the value of the space you use for office. My accountant 15 years ago told me not to do that because there is some sort of "pay back" to the IRS if you sell your home. I've been claming home office deduction for 15 years now with no problem.

Yes, have been doing that for 10+ years. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Also percentage of utilities, office supplies, etc.

My CPA told me it's not nearly the red flag - it used to be

[ In Reply To ..]
so I've been claiming it for, let's see, 6 or 7 years now, including the part about writing off a percentage of the utilities. And I am a renter.

The accountant said that in this day and age, so many more people are telecommuting, it has become a much more commonplace thing, and thus does not raise the red flags like it used to. Of course, if you're claiming an outrageous write-off, it might catch their eye....

I always try, but the standard deduction is always higher - me

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than my office deduction. Oh well.

Same here. - nm

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xx

You can file the home office deduction until - Snow Bunny

[ In Reply To ..]
2 years before you plan on selling your home, 'cause then things are looked as as "income."

So, if you don't plan on selling your home, deduct away!!!

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