Spouse is self-employed and has a home office. Each year, we take a home office deduction and depreciate it. The amount we end up deducting is minimal.
Between Aug. & July 2022, we are traveling abroad. The home office was used between Jan. & July, 2021. It was not used between Aug. & Dec. 2021. My self-employed spouse continued to work remotely, but without a home office as we do not have a fixed address abroad. We will use the home office again when we return in 2022.
My main question:
Would it be possible NOT to take the home office deduction in 2021 and 2022 given it is minimal anyway? Or, should we take the home office deduction for 7 months in 2021 and then for the final months of 2022 again? In either case, should we “retire” the home office from use in 2021 and then bring it back in 2022?
We also are renting our home while we are abroad, so I am dividing all expenses between home office months and rental months. This has brought about several other questions while working on Turbo Tax. So I’m just wondering whether it would be simpler and more convenient NOT to take the home office credit these 2 years.
Is there any reason for or against taking the home office credit in 2021?
Thanks so much, in advance, for your help.
