Submitted By: Steve
Answered: September 17, 2013 8:30 am

I am self-employed and use one portion of my home as an office. My wife is also self-employed and uses a different part of the home as her office. Can we each claim a home office deduction?

Yes, assuming you each meet the eligibility tests for the home office deduction. Each of you would need to complete a separate Form 8829 and attach it to your separate Schedule Cs if you figure the deduction for 2013 using the actual expense method. Alternatively, if you each qualify for a home office deduction, both of you can use the new simplified method for your respective home offices, which is multiplying your square footage (up to 300 square feet) by $5.

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Tax Glossary

Installment sale

A sale of property that allows for tax deferment if at least one payment is received after the end of the tax year in which the sale occurs. The installment method does not apply to year-end sales of publicly traded securities. Dealers may not use the installment method. Investors with very large installment balances could face a special tax.

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