- Jul 11, 2001
- 40,409
- 9,930
- 136
I haven't before. I looked into it last year and decided it wasn't for me. This year, though, I think I might. I'm using Turbotax 2002 and have gotten to this part of the 1040 return. I know some of you are familiar with this area of tax law and wonder if I can get some comments before I get too into this.
Last year I worked for a company and I telecommute. I service one of my company's clients, so I rarely communicate with people in my company. My employer gets one dollar from the client for each dollar I get. My employer recruited me like a headhunter and I thought I was going to be working for the client, but once I was working I found out that I was actually working for the company that recruited me. 90+% of the time, I work at home and I use the cell phone my employer has furnished me (and pays the monthly charges for) and I use my home computer systems and DSL connection and remote control software to access the client's personnel and network. I've been averaging maybe 5 hours/week lately. It's not much money but with being frugal I can barely get by without dipping into my savings. Yeah, I'm looking for better or supplemental work, but that's another story.
I have two computers, one I built from parts I ordered in 2001 and one I built late in 2002. I created a network for these systems. I pay for DSL. Yes, I need DSL and at least one powerful computer to do my job. Having more than one computer is an asset in my work, and of course, building a system based on more recent technology makes me more employable and improves my ability to do my job.
I can't just say I paid X for my computer unless I break it down into components, since I assembled both systems from parts I bought here and there. I could declare a video card, a case, a memory stick, motherboard, etc. for each system or just one system. In either case, that would be a TON of separate items. Or I could just say I bought a computer in Sept. 2002, and if I get audited I could show them my breakdown for the parts that the computer consists of. This isn't even counting the tremendous amount of labor I put into it, of course. I do use the computers for more than my work, of course. Email, internet browsing, newsgroups, some entertainment. I also buy software so I can learn the latest programming languages to further my career, I buy computer books, pay dues to a professional organization. I have a home theater system attached to the computer I just built, but I wouldn't declare that, of course. I've set up an office in one of my rooms for this but apparently the IRS doesn't like you to make deductions for a home office unless you maintain that you only use the space as a home office. Hey, I will also watch movies in this room!
What do you people think about this? I would appreciate comments from people with experience with these matters. Thanks!
Last year I worked for a company and I telecommute. I service one of my company's clients, so I rarely communicate with people in my company. My employer gets one dollar from the client for each dollar I get. My employer recruited me like a headhunter and I thought I was going to be working for the client, but once I was working I found out that I was actually working for the company that recruited me. 90+% of the time, I work at home and I use the cell phone my employer has furnished me (and pays the monthly charges for) and I use my home computer systems and DSL connection and remote control software to access the client's personnel and network. I've been averaging maybe 5 hours/week lately. It's not much money but with being frugal I can barely get by without dipping into my savings. Yeah, I'm looking for better or supplemental work, but that's another story.
I have two computers, one I built from parts I ordered in 2001 and one I built late in 2002. I created a network for these systems. I pay for DSL. Yes, I need DSL and at least one powerful computer to do my job. Having more than one computer is an asset in my work, and of course, building a system based on more recent technology makes me more employable and improves my ability to do my job.
I can't just say I paid X for my computer unless I break it down into components, since I assembled both systems from parts I bought here and there. I could declare a video card, a case, a memory stick, motherboard, etc. for each system or just one system. In either case, that would be a TON of separate items. Or I could just say I bought a computer in Sept. 2002, and if I get audited I could show them my breakdown for the parts that the computer consists of. This isn't even counting the tremendous amount of labor I put into it, of course. I do use the computers for more than my work, of course. Email, internet browsing, newsgroups, some entertainment. I also buy software so I can learn the latest programming languages to further my career, I buy computer books, pay dues to a professional organization. I have a home theater system attached to the computer I just built, but I wouldn't declare that, of course. I've set up an office in one of my rooms for this but apparently the IRS doesn't like you to make deductions for a home office unless you maintain that you only use the space as a home office. Hey, I will also watch movies in this room!
What do you people think about this? I would appreciate comments from people with experience with these matters. Thanks!
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