{"id":499296,"date":"2010-04-01T08:24:59","date_gmt":"2010-04-01T12:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"tag:consumerist.com,2010:\/\/1.10003989"},"modified":"2010-04-01T08:28:40","modified_gmt":"2010-04-01T12:28:40","slug":"tax-tips-deducting-your-home-computer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/499296","title":{"rendered":"Tax Tips: Deducting Your Home Computer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Yesterday I told you that computers and peripherals are “listed property” that require special recordkeeping and depreciation if used for business.<\/p>\n

The IRS, in Publication 529, tells us that you can only deduct a computer as an employee if it is (a) for the convenience of your employer, and (b) required as a condition of your employment. You cannot deduct a computer if its business use is merely for your own convenience.<\/p>\n

If you occasionally bring work home and use your home computer to write reports or do research you cannot claim a deduction. But if the nature of your work requires that you have a laptop to take with you to clients for presentations, write-ups, etc., and your employer does not provide you with one, then you may be entitled to a deduction.<\/p>\n

And you can only deduct that portion of the cost of purchasing and maintaining the computer equipment that applies to actual business use.<\/p>\n

As I mentioned yesterday, you should keep a log to document business use of a required home computer. For example, a daily computer log entry could indicate:<\/p>\n