Question for home based employees
Apr 11, 2006 | 8:29 pm
#16
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Orlando, FL, US
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While I was self employed, I did the HO deduction. That must have been at least 7, maybe 8 years, and never an audit. I also never seemed to fear an audit as much as many seem to. Maybe I just didn't cook the books enough to be worried.
Apr 11, 2006 | 9:00 pm
#17
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
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I took the home office deduction for about 20 years through 2004. I was self-employed for about 15 of them and home-based employee for the rest. Wrote "Sole fixed place of business" (true) on the form. Never advised against it by a tax advisor. (I saw a few different ones over that period. Some skated close to the edge, some the opposite.) Never an audit, either.
Apr 11, 2006 | 9:38 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MKE
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 974
Same as OP -- work remotely for a software company, get the same re-imbursements, travel maybe 1/3 of the time. Haven't tried the HO deduction--and if you looked at my office, it definitely looks like it is used for more than work (I suppose I could fix that were there an audit).
The benefits of just being able to work in my boxers (on a cold day
) and essentially being able to make my own hours are such that I don't mind not getting the deduction (if it would go). It would be extremely difficult to have to go into an office again.
I may sing a different tune if I were self-employed (I think).
The benefits of just being able to work in my boxers (on a cold day
) and essentially being able to make my own hours are such that I don't mind not getting the deduction (if it would go). It would be extremely difficult to have to go into an office again.I may sing a different tune if I were self-employed (I think).
Apr 12, 2006 | 6:13 am
#20
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Originally Posted by party_boy
As I recall, you may have some tax complications when you deduct your home office when you sell your home.
Apr 12, 2006 | 7:33 am
#21
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Nothing beats being a remote employee.
Unless you have tons of electrical equipment in your home office you are better off not asking your employer to reimburse you for a portion of your utility bills.
If you are a valuable resource to your employer and you can make a good case, I think it would be far better to insist on better travel benefits (like J or F tickets for international travel, Concierge level rooms, etc).
Unless you have tons of electrical equipment in your home office you are better off not asking your employer to reimburse you for a portion of your utility bills.
If you are a valuable resource to your employer and you can make a good case, I think it would be far better to insist on better travel benefits (like J or F tickets for international travel, Concierge level rooms, etc).
Apr 12, 2006 | 8:07 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: IAH
Posts: 2,674
Originally Posted by djk7
]...I also never seemed to fear an audit as much as many seem to. Maybe I just didn't cook the books enough to be worried.
M8
