Loop for When Did You Start Using this home office

[GB2424]

I'm using Turbotax premium and trying to enter a home office deduction for self-employed business that started a few years ago. There is a question asking 'When did you start using..." and I entered 01/01/2023 to get full year's deduction. Error message pops up saying "This date must be on or after the business start date". Any tip on where to edit business start date? None of the questions prior to that asked me for this information, and if it is populated from earlier turbotax return, I can't see how Intuit thinks it is later than 1/1/23.

[PatriciaV]

Did this issue arise as you entered a new Home Office Asset? If you have other assets for this home office, try using the "placed in service" date for an existing asset.

You can also view the related forms in Forms Mode:

1. Click the Forms icon in the TurboTax header.
2. Scroll down in the forms list on the left to the Schedule C for the home office.
3. Click on Form 8829 (address) under this Schedule C to open it in the large window.
4. Scroll down to Part II to the box for Line 8 Calculation Smart Worksheet.
5. The date you began using the home office for your business appears on Line A.

You must use a date after this start date for any new home office assets.

The date you started the business does not appear on any other forms in your return. You can check this by opening Schedule C.

[GB2424]

Thanks for the quick response. I tried various dates, and it finally accepted 12/1/2023. Next question asks how many months did I use this home office, and it allowed me to enter 12 there. I later opted for Simple Office Deduction rather than itemized, which hopefully makes these kind of details less critical.

re your suggestion about Forms, I am using online, so I don't think I have a Forms mode available. I didn't enter this under office assets, it was the questionnaire that pops up after selected Home Office expenses.

[PatriciaV · Accepted solution]

Yes, the Simple Office Deduction is based solely on square footage and is a much easier way to report this cost for your business.

TurboTax Online does indeed have no access to forms. Please ignore those instructions.