Two taxpayers, two separate office spaces, two home office deductions?

[smarson]

I have a client where both the husband and wife work from home in two separate office spaces.  Are they both able to claim a home office deduction?  No depreciation is claimed on the home, only the home office % is applied to indirect expenses such as mortgage interest, property taxes, utilities, etc.  There is no overlap of space used and combined their total office space is under 300 sq ft. If so, how do I force it to work?  

[Accountant-Man]

Two Schedules C, two home offices. Connect one to the first HO, then the other to the other HO.

Why not depreciate? I know it's a pittance, but you will have to report the recapture income on the sale, no matter what.

[qbteachmt]

"total office space is under 300 sq ft"

Have you considered using safe harbor: $5 per square foot of the home used for business purposes – up to a maximum of 300 square feet, or a $1,500 max deduction.

[BobKamman]

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@qbteachmt wrote:

"total office space is under 300 sq ft"

Have you considered using safe harbor: $5 per square foot of the home used for business purposes – up to a maximum of 300 square feet, or a $1,500 max deduction.

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But doesn't that cut down on the fee that can be charged?  

Of course, not having to prorate mortgage interest and property taxes might make it easier to itemize, and then you can charge for Schedule A.