Seems simple, right? You started working from home so why not claim a tax break for your own home office?
It's not that easy, according to Kiplinger. Business-related expenses are different than the home office deduction, and the Internal Revenue Service has very specific rules for filers who wish to take advantage of these deductions.
A full-time employee (those who receive a W-2 form) who works from home will not be able to deduct expenses.
If you paid for office furniture of other supplies to put together a usable office at home, those expenses are also not tax-deductible, according to USA Today. Ask employers for reimbursement or stipends for supplies.
Self-employed filers, such as freelancers, consultants and other workers, are eligible for the home office deduction if the home office is a completely dedicated space. Your dining room table won't count.
If you do follow the rules for dedicated spaces, the home office deduction can provide a nice savings. If your dedicated office space is 15 percent of the total square footage of your home, you can deduct 15 percent of direct and indirect costs, such as utilities or repairs.
