New Tax Break for Home Offices
Deductions just got easier for self-employed taxpayers.
John Dudley, owner of United Home Experts and United Painting, in Ashland, Mass., has had an office in his home since 2001 but has never claimed the home-office deduction. “I was always told by my accountant that there was a very high probability of triggering an audit,” he says.
Dudley and other self-employed people may want to give the deduction another chance. Under new IRS rules, taxpayers will be able to use a simple formula based on the size of their home offices. The streamlined method, available for 2013 returns, lets taxpayers deduct $5 per square foot, up to a maximum of 300 square feet, or $1,500. Taxpayers who choose this option won't have to fill out a 43-line form listing actual expenses, such as the percentage of utilities used in their home office. Dudley estimates that the new rule would allow him to deduct $720 from his taxable income—a savings of about $200. (In some cases, itemizing will get you a bigger deduction. Ideally, you should calculate the deduction both ways to see which delivers the better break.) The rule doesn't change eligibility requirements. The office must be used regularly and exclusively for business. Employees can't deduct a home office unless their employer requires them to work from home.
But if you qualify, there's no reason not to claim this tax break, says consultant Gene Fairbrother, of the National Association for the Self-Employed. The IRS is "giving you an opportunity. Don't be afraid to take it."
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-320-80.png)
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Block joined Kiplinger in June 2012 from USA Today, where she was a reporter and personal finance columnist for more than 15 years. Prior to that, she worked for the Akron Beacon-Journal and Dow Jones Newswires. In 1993, she was a Knight-Bagehot fellow in economics and business journalism at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She has a BA in communications from Bethany College in Bethany, W.Va.
-
Visa Is the Worst Dow Stock Wednesday. Here's Why
Visa stock is down sharply Wednesday after the credit card company came up short of revenue expectations for its fiscal Q3.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Another Analyst Moves to the Sidelines on Tesla Stock After Earnings
Tesla stock is spiraling Wednesday after the EV maker's big earnings miss and Wall Street has been quick to weigh in. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
IRS Ends Inherited IRA Confusion: Annual RMDs Required for Many
IRAs The agency has resolved a major point of uncertainty for inherited IRA beneficiaries.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
$145 Million in ‘Senior Freeze’ Checks Mailed
Property Tax What you need to know about New Jersey's property tax relief program for older adults.
By Kate Schubel Published
-
TaxAct Class Action Settlement: Details to Know
Tax Filing A multimillion-dollar settlement over alleged data privacy violations affects some TaxAct users.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
An IRA Contribution Option You Might Not Know
IRAs Retirement savings might not have to take a back seat just because your partner doesn't earn income.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
Project 2025 Tax Overhaul Blueprint: What You Need to Know
Tax Proposals Some people wonder what Project 2025 is and what it suggests for taxes.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
The Taxes That Come out of Your Paycheck
Payroll Tax Your take-home pay is often less than expected due to several payroll tax withholdings you need to know.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
Seven States Where Gas Tax Increased July 1
Gas Taxes Since July has arrived, drivers in several states are facing a gas tax hike.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
401(k) Withdrawal Penalty Rule Changes for 2024
Tax Rules More people are taking early emergency withdrawals from retirement savings accounts. New rules might offer some relief.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated