Why did my refund go DOWN, when I entered my simplified Home office expenses? Shoudn't it go UP

[Vanessa]

Were you getting the Earned Income Tax Credit?

[wags5108]

No I am not.....although, maybe it ASSUMED I was, since I didn't enter my spouse's income yet?

[AnnetteB · Accepted solution]

The change may have been due to the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction.

Entering a business expense for your home office reduced your business income, which reduced your QBI deduction.  This would have increased your taxable income and therefore reduced your refund. 

To learn more about QBI and the new deduction starting with 2018, see the information below.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/7019998