1099 NEC Income

[Gupfunny]

I quit my normal everyday job and started to work only a few days a week for the same company. They now pay me by the hours I work and I receive a 1099 NEC at the end of the year. What deductions can I take to reduce the amount of taxes. This is the only income I receive. My wife has a job and we file jointly. Would it be better if we filed separately?

[Bsch4477]

It’s almost always better to file jointly. You can deduct any expenses related to the production of that income. If you explain your job we might be able to give you suggestions. For example, you can deduct medical insurance premiums for you and your wife. 

[Gupfunny]

I do machine maintenance and computer work. Also some print production such as using a digital printing press. I am on my wife's medical plan and I believe the premiums are already deducted from her earnings. I do some of the work from my home computer. But mostly drive to and from the same location.

[Gupfunny]

I was hoping that I could take the mileage to and from the work place since Its contract work.

[Bsch4477]

Unfortunately travel to and from work is commuting and not deductible. 

[AnnetteB6 · Accepted solution]

As an independent contractor, you have to consider where your main place of business is located.  If you perform the majority of your work at the workplace you mentioned, then driving to and from the workplace is considered commuting miles and would not be deductible.

If you also maintain a qualified home office that is used regularly and exclusively for business and is your principal place of business where you conduct your administrative and management duties, and you have no other place where you conduct those duties, then your mileage would be considered to be going from one work location to another.  However, just using your home computer from time to time would not be enough to claim a home office.

To learn more about claiming a home office, please take a look at the following TurboTax article:

The Home Office Deduction

@Gupfunny