Home office deduction benefits small business owners

 

Notice: Historical Content


This is an archival or historical document and may not reflect current law, policies or procedures.

April 30, 2019

Small business owners who work from home may qualify for a home office deduction.

They have two options for figuring this deduction.

The regular method  divides expenses of operating the home between personal and business use. Self-employed taxpayers file Form 1040, Schedule C, and compute this deduction on  Form 8829.

The simplified method, has a rate of $5 a square foot for business use of the home. The maximum deduction is $1,500.

Special rules apply for certain business owners:

  • Daycare providers complete a special worksheet, found in Publication 587.
  • Self-employed individuals use Form 1040, Schedule C, Line 30 to claim deduction
  • Farmers claim the deduction on Schedule F, Line 32.