Can I deduct home office costs for tax purposes?
February 10, 2024 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Anneliese Schaaf
Dear tax advisor,
My name is Ella Stricker and I have been working from home since the beginning of the Corona pandemic. This has led to additional costs for me, such as office supplies, electricity, internet, and rent for my home office. So far, I have been covering all these costs myself, without knowing if I can claim them on my taxes.
I am concerned that I may be giving away money that is rightfully mine. Therefore, I would like to know if and to what extent I can declare the costs of my home office in my tax return. Are there specific requirements that I need to meet in order to deduct these expenses? How do I calculate the costs for my home office exactly and what documents do I need for that?
I have already done some research online, but I have come across different information and feel a bit overwhelmed. Therefore, it would be very helpful if you could assist me as an expert in tax matters. What options are there to claim the costs of the home office on taxes and what is the best way to proceed?
Thank you in advance for your support.
Kind regards,
Ella Stricker
Dear Ella Stricker,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the tax deductibility of home office expenses. I am happy to help shed light on this matter and provide you with all the necessary information.
In general, the costs incurred from working in a home office can be claimed as tax deductions. This includes expenses for office supplies, electricity, internet, telephone, rent, as well as depreciation of work equipment such as a desk or chair. However, certain conditions must be met in order to declare and deduct these costs in your tax return.
Firstly, your home office should be a separate, enclosed space in your apartment or house that is used exclusively for business purposes. A desk in your living room would not qualify as a tax-deductible home office. Additionally, the costs should be actual expenses incurred from working from home. A flat-rate deduction without proof is generally not possible.
To accurately calculate the costs for your home office, I recommend keeping all receipts and invoices as evidence of the expenses incurred. You should also determine the percentage of business use compared to personal use of each item. This percentage will then be declared as deductible costs in your tax return.
There are various ways to claim home office expenses for tax purposes. You can either declare the actual costs based on receipts and evidence, or claim a flat rate of 5 euros per day for a maximum of 120 workdays per year without further proof. Ultimately, it is advisable to seek individual advice to find the optimal solution for you.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need assistance with preparing your tax return, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Anneliese Schaaf - Tax Advisor
