This year I’m working as an independent contractor and I’ll be given a 1099 for tax purposes. I’m an umpire for an amateur baseball association. I am absolutely required to have internet access and a cell phone.

I did not have a personal cell phone before I started with this association. Can I deduct the full cost of a cell phone if it is used only for business purposes?

I already have a personal computer and internet access at my house. However, now that it is required for a job, can I deduct the cost of the internet service? What if I buy a new computer, is that deductible as long as I keep the old computer for my personal use?

Note: I do not intend to take the home office deduction because I do not have any one particular area of my house that is designated for business use only.

Please help !!
I manage apartments and in lui of rent (1100.00) I receive a free apt, but am 1099. I also had a part time job which was paid by W-2.
Im single, no dependents, wa state.
Am I considered a Business?
I don’t pay for office supplies,thus no deductions.
I was wondering if i could use the home office deduction since the office is downstairs.
Other income Line 3: 13,200.00
Line 7 2137.00
W-2 2196.00
And also can i do this on turbo tax ?
Everybody thanks so much …..

I work for a small business. I do all of my work (except client site visits) from my home office. However, since I also use my home office for personal use during non-working hours, I assume I cannot take the home office deduction (correct)?

Here is my question regarding mileage – I’m testing this using both TaxCut and TurboTax. In both cases, when I enter my mileage, it does not seem to reduce my tax owed. When I tell the program I want to use the home office deduction, then my mileage makes a difference. If I tell it not to do the home office deduction, then my entering mileage makes no difference. So, can I only deduct my mileage if I take the home office deduction? I haven’t read anything to indicate this, but the actions of the tax software programs leads me to believe that this is the case.

I don’t know if this matters, but I itemize my deductions (mostly due to mortgage interest & real estate taxes paid). I do not take the standard deduction.
Edit – I am a W2 employee. This is less than 2% of our joint AGI, so I guess that’s why it isn’t letting me take it. Thanks for the replies!

Hi – I earn about ,000 a year on various freelance projects, ranging from entertainment writing to interior design. This is a relatively small portion of my income, and I’ve been listing it as ordinary income, filing 1099s and taking no deductions. I’d like to start an LLC, both to give more legitimacy to my work for my clients and to be able to take the home office / business expense deductions that I’m currently not.

I plan on doing the same volume of work and never hiring employees. Is this a smart tax move for me? Between computer equipment, the home office deduction and other expenses, I’d probably write off at least ,000 in expenses a year. I’d love for the freelance business to take off one day, but I can’t count on it and need to base my decision on current numbers. Thanks!

I work at home, and I take the home office deduction. I have a separate room that is my regular office space used exclusively as an office, so that is not the question.

I’m just sure if these are particular items I would be able to deduct. I bought a back pillow from the chiropractor for my typing chair, and I need to buy an air filter for this horrible allergy season and an air conditioner for the home offfice. Are these expenses I can deduct since they will only be used in the home office? Do I need to depreciate them?

When depreciating, is there a minimum dollar amount? The back pillow was only 25 bucks. If I don’t depreciate it, what category would that be?

Thanks for any information!! I have looked up a lot of info on this but I’m just not sure about these items.
As I said, my home office is my regular place of business. I do everything from here on the computer. That’s it.

I think I read somewhere air conditioning is not applicable to Section 179. And I also don’t know how the air filter would figure into that or if it’s deductible.