If I rent an outside office where I conduct business most of the time and see clients, but also work out of my home office sometimes, can I deduct home office expenses?
You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.
It’s possible that you may be able to deduct your home office expenses. However, the correct answer depends on what you mean by “sometimes” work out of your home office.
The rules for deducting home office expenses are that you must use your home office exclusively and regularly. By exclusively, it means that you can’t claim the deduction if you use the space for any other reason other than for your business. This means your home office can’t double as your dining room or game room.
By regularly, it means that your home office is used not just occasionally or randomly. Perhaps you use it every time you have administrative tasks such as bookkeeping or payroll. This wouldn’t occur every day, but it would be on a regular basis. Or perhaps you use your home office for communicating with clients through email every evening. In both cases, it could be argued that you use your home office regularly.
If this is a bit vague, it’s because the IRS doesn’t clearly define “regular use.” It could vary from business to business, but I hope my examples helped.
Still have questions?
Questions are answered within a few hours on average.
Post a Question*Must create login to post
Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.
ddinneb
Level 1
WR1970
New Member
djs52
New Member
shansmw
Level 2
Dlarsen
New Member