why can't I add schedule C to my employer since I have used home office for the last 20 years?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

W-2 employees cannot deduct job-related expenses on a federal return.  Job-related expenses were eliminated as a federal deduction for W-2 employees by the tax laws that changed for 2018 and beyond.  Your state tax laws might be different in AL, AR, CA, HI, MN, NY or PA.

If you live in a state that lets you deduct job-related expenses, the information will flow from your federal return  to the state return, so enter it in Federal>Deductions and Credits>Employment Expenses>Job-Related Expenses

[DoninGA]

If you have an employer then you are receiving a W-2 for your employee wages.  Employee business expenses are not deductible on a federal tax return due to the tax code changes in effect for tax years 2018 thru 2025.