Skip to main content
Level 5
February 6, 2021
Question

office in home

  • February 6, 2021
  • 13 replies
  • 64 views

With so many people working at home, is there any way to claim office in home expense when there isnt a Schedule C?

This topic has been closed for replies.

13 replies

dascpa
Level 11
February 6, 2021

As an employee - not on their tax return. No more 2016 expenses. Suggest they discuss with employer about a reimbursement arrangement. If employer says no, ask for reimbursement in lieu of salary. I'd rather get $1k in non-taxable reimbursement than $1k in taxable salary. But my guess is - won't happen or else employer would have notified employee of that option previously.

sjrcpa
Level 15
February 6, 2021

I think a few states have some sort of deduction or credit for work at home expenses due to COVID

The more I know the more I don’t know.
IRonMaN
Level 15
February 6, 2021

They no longer have to pay anything to commute to work.  They can work in their pjs so their clothing costs are next to nothing.  They don't have to pay a restaurant to have lunch everyday.  Why do they need to deduct home office expenses?

Slava Ukraini!
qbteachmt
Level 15
February 6, 2021

Yes; they work with their Employer to establish an Accountable Plan so that the employer can and will reimburse them for costs.

Don't yell at us; we're volunteers
BobKamman
Level 15
February 6, 2021

It wasn't available to most employees even before 2018.  First there was the 2% minimum for miscellaneous deductions, and then there was the requirement to itemize.  Then, if the deduction was calculated correctly, the tax savings might be less than the fee for adding the form.  I'm not sure what would be shown as an expense in an accountable plan -- a big component of the deduction was always depreciation, and can you charge that to an employer? -- but go ahead and ask.  If an employer asks me about it, I'm going to suggest a pay cut for all the commuting costs saved.  

qbteachmt
Level 15
February 6, 2021

"a big component of the deduction was always depreciation, and can you charge that to an employer?"

Yes. That is provided for.

Don't yell at us; we're volunteers
BobKamman
Level 15
February 6, 2021

Then pay tax on it when the home is sold?

Level 5
February 7, 2021

with no other expenses that's why I was trying to claim 1099 as other income to avoid a Sch C to get hit with SE tax

qbteachmt
Level 15
February 7, 2021

It's not clear what all of this means: "with no other expenses that's why I was trying to claim 1099 as other income to avoid a Sch C to get hit with SE tax"

What does "no other expenses" have to do with an Employee working from home?

And a 1099 is never used for anything on your topic.

And why would you consider there would be, or you need to avoid, Sched C? Nothing here is Sched C or SE.

Assuming these facts: This is an Employee, working from Home.

Don't yell at us; we're volunteers
Level 5
February 7, 2021

Sorry for the confusion. That post was in reference to another post  trying to put 1099 income in as Other Income because it's simply non W-2 wages because it's not a business but I do understand that the SE tax still must be paid.