Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 3:57:29 PM

I'm 100% self employed, and entering my home office expenses for 2018 Schedule C, but Turbo Tax is calculating the deduction as -0-. Please help!

I understand that the 2018 home office deduction changed for EMPLOYEES, but not for Self Employed contractors? I usually get a deduction every year, but this year Turbo Tax Home and Business is calculating the deduction as -0-.

0 5 1007
1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 3:57:36 PM

You are correct that the Home Office Deduction has not changed in 2018 for self-employed persons. 

If your business had a profit, and you indicated that you do '100% of your business from your home office' you should get the home office deduction.

There are several other screens prior to this one that could also affect your Home Office Deduction.

Type 'home office' in the Search window, and then 'Jump to Home Office' to EDIT your home office. 

Go through the Home Office section and re-check your entries.

Here's some info to help you:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/6009044

Edited 2/13/19 3:53 PM

5 Replies
New Member
Jun 4, 2019 3:57:30 PM

I don't see anywhere to say I do 100% business in my home. I did check yes for "Do you use part of this home EXCLUSIVELY for this business".  I always answer the same every year and usually get the deduction. Now it's coming up -0-!!!

Expert Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 3:57:32 PM

Indicate that 100% of Self-Employment Income was Earned from Home Office.

 

 

 

[Edited 03/23/2020 | 4:42 PM]

 

 

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 3:57:33 PM

I just went around and around on this issue and finally discovered that I am not technically self-employed since I have a 1 person S Corp. The area that I was entering my home office expenses was under job-related expenses, which was a hint that this was the problem. I suppose I could pay part of my utilities with my business for example as an alternative but I cannot take the home office deduction.

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 3:57:34 PM

Actually the line where my home office was showing up in the 2017/2018 comparison of deductions & credits is called Unreimbursed Employee Expenses... another hint!

Expert Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 3:57:36 PM

You are correct that the Home Office Deduction has not changed in 2018 for self-employed persons. 

If your business had a profit, and you indicated that you do '100% of your business from your home office' you should get the home office deduction.

There are several other screens prior to this one that could also affect your Home Office Deduction.

Type 'home office' in the Search window, and then 'Jump to Home Office' to EDIT your home office. 

Go through the Home Office section and re-check your entries.

Here's some info to help you:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/6009044

Edited 2/13/19 3:53 PM