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Cell Phone Business Usage

Is there a certain formula to use in calculating the percentage your cell phone is used for Business purposes?

I would assume you would deduct the actual percentage of time the cell phone was not used for business from the yearly cost?

If so, what records do you need to prove the percentage ?

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1 Reply
DianeW777
Employee Tax Expert

Cell Phone Business Usage

Yes.  Time is the determining factor as you indicated.  If you simply track the amount of time each day on a calendar or there may be an app that could be used if you check.  The amount of business conducted on a daily or weekly basis can also be an indicator as well.

 

The IRS expects you to be able to substantiate the percentage you claim that the cell phone is used for business. You ultimately decide the business use percentage based on the facts and circumstances as you know them.

Items of record could be advertisements with your cell number used and then jobs marked on a calendar each day that would prove the activity conducted for business and simply a log of the time you used your phone for business each day versus the time spent using your cell phone for personal uses.  The message on the voice mail might be the business name and information.

 

Phone Charges: If you have a dedicated phone in your home or a dedicated cell phone just for business purposes, all charges can be deducted. If you use your regular home phone (only charges for extra services for business) or cell phone for business related calls, you can deduct a portion of your bill. 

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