Tax write-offs for working at home?

read irs pub 587

first of all food for lunch is never deductible, unless entertaining a client or customer there are various requirements that need to be met they are explained in the irs pub ___________________________________

-----> real address on hobokeni or hobokenx

Not nearly that simple, "Stem sells."

First of all, you must establish a legitimate home office -- required by your employment situation, or independent business. Second, only part of your expenses -- used for business -- will qualify for deductions. See Pub 587 for full details. (available online at

Unless you are working at home as a REQUIREMENT of your employment (and no office space is made available to you with the company), all of these expenses are personal, NON-DEDUCTIBLE expenses. Get real.

In order for an employee to claim office in the home expenses, the home office must be for the convenience of the employer. This has usually been taken to mean the employer requires this as a condition of employment, and you would have written proof of that. It is not sufficient that the employer is OK with it, or that the employer thinks this is a good idea. And to claim an ofice in the home, you must have an area in your home that you use "regularly and exclusively" as a home office. If it is used for personal use, or your roommate makes some use of that area, it fails the regularly and exclusively test. And as an employee, even if you met all of the above, and even if you were obligated to pay and did pay the costs you mention, you would ave o claim these expenses on Scedule A as miscellaneous expenses, all of which must exceed 2% of adjusted gross income to gain you any tax benefit. And if you could still do this, your itemized deductions would have to exceed your personal deduction before you gain any tax advantage.

-- ArtKamlet at a o l dot c o m Columbus OH K2PZH

Yes, IF you do it right. Refer to the instructions for Form

See pub 587 and form 8829