My company is moving us to our home offices? What is the best way to set this up to maximize IRS deductions?

Question

My company is moving us to our home offices? What is the best way to set this up to maximize IRS deductions?

Answer 1

You will need a room with a door that can be used exclusively as your office - the deduction is usually based on square footage of the room in proportion to entire house sq feet - same ratio for utilities - get a separate phone line - don't get a "business" line though - much more expensive than a residential line - any mileage on your car for business - IRS says first and lat stops of the day are commuting and not deductible - get around this by getting a PO box at town post office and make your first stop there after you leave the house and last stop there before going home anytime you have to go out for business - all mileage between the post office stops will be business mileage -and keep an auto mileage log in the car at all times showing distance and purpose of each business related car trip

Answer 2

good answer from the poster below but go see your accountant. if you dont have one, GET ONE

Answer 3

Is "my company" you or a real live corporation with 100s of employees?  Are they requiring everyone to work from home and closing the nearest offices?  If yes, keep any documents that say this as it bolsters your case immensely.

Do NOT try to use the PO Box dodge.  Either you have legitimate business mileage or you don't.  Don't fake it.  (A PO Box is good for other things.)