March 2021 - 914 Tax

The rise of freelancing, self-employed and gig work is one of the biggest labor stories of the last 20 years. More and more workers have been looking beyond the normal nine to five and making their own way in the world, creating an income they can rely on, one that is directly tied to their skills and abilities. COVID-19 only accelerated this trend.

Working as a freelancer or gig worker can also open up a world of tax savings possibilities. From retirement plans with generous contribution limits to health savings accounts to cover the high cost of private insurance to the ability to write off office supplies and other essentials, this class of workers enjoys some truly phenomenal tax breaks.

Generous Deduction or Audit Trap?

One of the most generous of those tax breaks is also one of the most misunderstood. The home office deduction has been around for decades, but many freelancers and members of the gig economy are still afraid to take it.

The idea that simply taking the home office deduction will trigger an audit is outdated but rooted in historical fact. In past decades, the home office deduction was widely regarded as a tax dodge, and the IRS often took a dim view of it.

Times have changed, however, and these days the home office deduction is no more likely to trigger an audit than any other business deduction. And while small business owners, including freelancers who claim their income on Schedule C, are still more likely to be audited, the overall audit rate is hovering at all-time lows. So, should you take the home office deduction, and how can you tell if you are eligible? Here are some basic guidelines to go by.

Note: If you do find yourself under audit and owe the IRS money for back taxes, don’t try to fix it on your own! Reach out to our tax resolution firm and we’ll help you negotiate with the IRS and get tax relief. Get help from Ron Friedman, CPA..

Exclusive Use

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that your home office must be used exclusively for your business. Many freelancers and small business owners block off a section of their home and use it exclusively for their business, and that typically qualifies them for the home office deduction.

You do not have to give up large portions of your home to claim the home office deduction. Even a part of one room could qualify as long as it is distinct and separate from the rest of the area. You could, for instance, partition off a section of a spare bedroom and claim it as a home office.

Regular Use

In order to qualify as a home office, the space you claim must be used regularly as part of your business. If you block off a room or set of rooms, you cannot go back and forth between business and personal use.

If you plan to claim the home office deduction, it is a good idea to keep records of how the space is used. Keeping a log of the hours you spend there and the business activities you perform can help you back up the deduction if the IRS comes calling.

Primary Place of Business

The last part of the qualification process is the nature of the business and how the home office supports it. In order to qualify for the home office deduction, the space you designate must serve as your primary place of business.

That means your home office is where you meet with clients, where you perform your work and where you complete your business-related paperwork. If you rent space outside your home or regularly meet with clients somewhere else, you may not be able to justify the home office deduction in the event of an audit.

The nature of your business matters as well. If you work as a freelance writer or website designer, the IRS will probably not question your home office deduction. But if your primary source of freelance income is driving for Uber or Lyft, the tax agency may question the legitimacy of your home office.

Solid Recordkeeping is Essential

You should not be afraid to take the home office deduction if you are eligible for it, but you should be ready to back up your claim if the IRS comes calling. Solid recordkeeping is a must for freelancers and gig workers claiming a home office deduction, and those records should be highly detailed and readily available.

Keeping a daily log of your freelance and gig work activities is a good start. You can keep this log manually or electronically, but it should be up to date and complete. If you are diligent with your recordkeeping and eligible for the home office deduction, even a full-fledged audit could be no big deal.

The home office deduction is widely misunderstood and underutilized, especially in the age of gig work and widespread freelancing. If you are eligible for this generous deduction, you should definitely take it. Working for yourself is hard work, and every tax break you can get will make your efforts more valuable.

OWE BACK TAXES?

If you’re going to owe money to the IRS after filing your return, It’s important to note that only experienced firms like ours are able to handle tax debt cases since negotiating with the IRS requires specialized skills that often fall outside of the scope of most conventional accounting, tax, and tax law firms.

Our firm specializes in tax problem resolution. We have CPAs, EAs and attorneys who can represent you before the IRS. We serve clients virtually so don’t hesitate to reach out. If you want an expert tax resolution specialist who knows how to navigate the IRS maze, reach out to our firm and we’ll schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options to permanently resolve your tax problem. Get help from Ron Friedman, CPA.

People often dream of quitting their jobs and going into business for themselves so that they can pursue a passion and work without a boss. Self-employment can be a rewarding career decision, but it can lead to higher taxes and tax returns that are more complex that what you initially bargained for.

If you’re self-employed, it is important to understand how taxes work so you can avoid making a mistake and owing more than your fair share of taxes.

Note: If you owe back taxes and need tax relief, our firm can help! We specialize in resolving complicated self-employed and small business back tax problems. Contact our firm today! Get help from Ron Friedman, CPA.

Definition of Self-Employment

The IRS considers you to be self-employed if you work as a contractor, freelancer, small business owner or are otherwise in business for yourself. If you earn income directly from clients and you don’t have an employer that withholds money from your pay for tax purposes, you are self-employed.

Tax Withholding and Estimated Taxes

If you work as an employee, your employer automatically takes a certain amount of money out of your pay each month to cover your tax obligations, which is called tax withholding.

Self-employed workers do not have an employer to withhold income for tax purposes, so they are responsible for paying their own taxes to the IRS through estimated tax payments. Estimated tax payments must be sent to the IRS on a quarterly basis if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in income tax at the end of the year.

The due dates for estimated tax payments are April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15. Failure to plan properly and pay enough estimated taxes during the year can result in a tax penalty and a large surprise tax bill. If you pay at least 90 percent of the tax you owe or 100 percent of the total tax you owed from the previous year, the IRS typically will not assess a tax penalty.

Self-Employment Taxes

Self-employed workers must pay the self-employment tax (SE tax) which goes toward Social Security and Medicare in addition to normal income tax. Employees split the cost of paying into Social Security and Medicare with their employers, but self-employed workers must pay the full amount themselves.

We always recommend hiring a professional to handle your taxes and stay compliant, but we especially recommend hiring a qualified tax relief firm if you find yourself behind on any taxes or you’re hit with a large tax bill you can’t afford to pay.

Do I Have To Report Side-Income If I Have A Normal Job As Well?

Individuals with self-employment income must file an income tax return if they have net income from self-employment of $400 or more. In addition, you must report any self-employment income you make during the year on your taxes even if you hold down a normal job.

For example, if you work as an employee year-round but you take on small contract jobs on the side to make extra cash, that money must be reported as self-employment income when you file your tax return even if you don’t make enough extra cash to warrant paying estimated taxes.

It’s a common misconception that you don’t have to file or report income if it’s “cash” or if it’s from a side hustle. Not reporting it could lead to more trouble than it’s worth and the IRS will add penalties and interest on top of the taxes owed.

OWE BACK TAXES?

Self-Employed and Gig Workers: Should You Claim the Home Office Deduction?

Self-Employment Taxes and The Common Traps To Avoid So You Don’t Owe Back Taxes