|
Posted by Stem sells on September 27, 2007, 2:38 am
Please log in for more thread options
Suppose that I work from home, and that I have a roommate.
I work at a company which allows me to work from home. I
bought lots of infrastructure - both hardware (desks,
printer, shredder, etc.) and software (internet connection,
etc.). Also, in order for me to do my work, I must have
electricity, food heat, etc. Does this mean that I can
write-off my utility bills (which is not in my name, it's in
my roommate's name), my food bills for lunch, and all of my
other costs (internect connection, energy, and heating
bills, and RENT)?
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
|
|
Posted by Benjamin Yazersky CPA on September 28, 2007, 3:59 pm
Please log in for more thread options
> Suppose that I work from home, and that I have a roommate.
> I work at a company which allows me to work from home. I
> bought lots of infrastructure - both hardware (desks,
> printer, shredder, etc.) and software (internet connection,
> etc.). Also, in order for me to do my work, I must have
> electricity, food heat, etc. Does this mean that I can
> write-off my utility bills (which is not in my name, it's in
> my roommate's name), my food bills for lunch, and all of my
> other costs (internect connection, energy, and heating
> bills, and RENT)?
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
___________________________________
<<< Benjamin Yazersky, CPA [NJ & NY] >>>
-----> real address on hobokeni or hobokenx <-----
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
|
|
Posted by Bill on September 28, 2007, 3:59 pm
Please log in for more thread options gestureofrespect@yahoo.com (Stem=A0sells) posted:
> Suppose that I work from home, and that I
> have a roommate. I work at a company which
> allows me to work from home. I bought lots of
> infrastructure - both hardware (desks, printer,
> shredder, etc.) and software (internet
> connection, etc.). Also, in order for me to do
> my work, I must have electricity, food heat,
> etc. Does this mean that I can write-off my
> utility bills (which is not in my name, it's in my
> roommate's name), my food bills for lunch,
> and all of my other costs (internect
> connection, energy, and heating bills, and
> RENT)?
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
http://www.irs.gov (Then click on Forms and Publications and
choose the html option to read online -- or pdf to
download.)
Bill
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
|
|
Posted by Herb Smith on September 28, 2007, 4:00 pm
Please log in for more thread options
> Suppose that I work from home, and that I have a roommate.
> I work at a company which allows me to work from home. I
> bought lots of infrastructure - both hardware (desks,
> printer, shredder, etc.) and software (internet connection,
> etc.). Also, in order for me to do my work, I must have
> electricity, food heat, etc. Does this mean that I can
> write-off my utility bills (which is not in my name, it's in
> my roommate's name), my food bills for lunch, and all of my
> other costs (internect connection, energy, and heating
> bills, and RENT)?
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.
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
|
|
Posted by Arthur Kamlet on September 28, 2007, 4:00 pm
Please log in for more thread options
> Suppose that I work from home, and that I have a roommate.
> I work at a company which allows me to work from home. I
> bought lots of infrastructure - both hardware (desks,
> printer, shredder, etc.) and software (internet connection,
> etc.). Also, in order for me to do my work, I must have
> electricity, food heat, etc. Does this mean that I can
> write-off my utility bills (which is not in my name, it's in
> my roommate's name), my food bills for lunch, and all of my
> other costs (internect connection, energy, and heating
> bills, and RENT)?
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
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
|
| Similar Threads | Posted | | Home rental while working abroad | March 13, 2008, 6:12 pm |
| working in DC, spouse working in CA | January 31, 2008, 2:31 pm |
| Home improvements to reduce profit from home sale? | October 24, 2006, 7:27 am |
| Mortgage Application Fee/Home Inspection Fee (for "Failed" Home) | February 2, 2007, 8:15 pm |
| Home office deduction for use in a passive activity such as a second home | February 25, 2007, 5:00 am |
| Canadian working in the US - need tax help | June 19, 2007, 9:29 pm |
| Son working abroad. | January 8, 2008, 1:24 pm |
| Working with a Canadian company | April 26, 2007, 2:30 am |
| Working in Kentucky and living in Texas | January 28, 2007, 6:13 pm |
| State tax filing for citizens working oversea. | February 6, 2007, 10:36 pm |
|
|
Yahoo! 
Google 
Windows Live 
del.icio.us 
digg 
Netscape 
XML Sitemap