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Home Office Deduction Calculator

Calculates deduction using both the simplified ($5/sq ft) and actual expense IRS methods

Total square footage of your home

Dedicated office space (max 300 sq ft for simplified method)

Simplified Method

$5 per square foot of office space, up to a maximum of 300 sq ft ($1,500 max deduction).

Deduction Amount

Enter home and office dimensions to calculate your simplified deduction

Percentage of Home Used

Office area as a percentage of total home area

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the two methods for the home office deduction?

The simplified method allows $5 per square foot of office space, up to 300 sq ft ($1,500 max). The actual expense method calculates the business percentage of real home expenses (rent/mortgage interest, utilities, insurance, repairs). The actual method often yields a larger deduction.

Who qualifies for the home office deduction?

Self-employed individuals who use a dedicated space in their home regularly and exclusively for business. The space must be your principal place of business or where you meet clients. W-2 employees generally cannot claim this deduction since the 2017 tax reform.

Which method should I choose?

Use simplified if your office is small and you want easy bookkeeping. Use actual expense if your office is large, your home expenses are high, or you want to maximize the deduction. You can switch methods year to year but cannot carry over unused deductions from the actual method.