Comments on: Filing Taxes: Take the Office-In-Home Tax Deduction

By: Jeffrey Zeisler

Jeffrey Zeisler — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:48:17 +0000

I have a client who just brought on another guy to be a partner in his consulting business from out of town. The new partner will be moving to the area eventually, but while he still lives out of town and travels in to town 4 days a week can he establish a home office at his primary residence so that he can take any business expenses deductions?

By: Eva Rosenberg, EA - Your TaxMama

Eva Rosenberg, EA - Your TaxMama — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:48:58 +0000

Hi Keyur,

Thanks for the question.

I have a some questions for you.

1) Was your wife hired while she was already living in Georgia?
If so, she was hired for the company’s convenience, because she has special skills they need and could not find locally.
Have them give her something in writing to that effect.
Use the office in home deduction.

2) Was she hired in California, then moved to GA and is working from home for HER convenience?
She probably isn’t entitled to an office in home deduction.

3) Does she need to be in GA for the company’s benefit, for some reason?
If yes – go for it.
If not – nope.

The best way to address not getting the office in home deduction is to work things out with the company and revise the compensation a bit to accommodate the lost deduction. Friendly negotiations never hurt. (Not aggressive arguments – just a nice tax chat.)

I hope this helps?

By: Keyur

Keyur — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:05:22 +0000

My wife’s employer is in California and she works from home (in Georgia). Is she eligible for home office deduction?

Her job is computer related so she doesn’t have to meet anyone and she never steps out of the home for business purposes.

Also, she uses one room in our house which is just for her work.

Any guidance in claiming home office deduction is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help