Hey all!
My tax situation is a bit complicated. I am an American citizen who lives abroad 95% of the time as a religious charity worker. I barely make $12,000 a year, and I'm still trying to figure out business expenses as a self-employed person.
Instead of doing the home-office deduction, is it feasible for me to deduct the rent (or at least part of it) I pay for my apartment overseas? Here's my reasoning for such a question...
- I only live overseas for my business - I would not live there, and therefore not have that flat, unless I worked there
- If I did not live overseas, I would have a free place to live in the US, so the money I spend abroad on rent would not be spent otherwise
- I am necessary for my job - the organisation I work with has a series of values and systems which make clear that I am the only one who can do my job (this point definitely has religious ties, eg "God called me to do this," which I've gathered is legitimate in a legal sense, but let me know if not!)
- I work from my flat, everything from meetings with co-workers or clients, administration work, etc.
Basically, in my line of work, people are the "business" - I literally do not have a life outside of my "job", as my job is how I live and treat people 100% of the time. There is no work/home-life separation.
I really appreciate any help. Thank you!
