Home office deduction is not the cash cow everyone says it is | Solo Biz Tax Talk - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals

Jesse Smith · 2026-06-28T22:05:04.398211+00:00

I tried claiming the simplified home office deduction last year on my freelance writing income and got audited over $487. The IRS wanted proof I used that room exclusively for work, and my dining table photo didn't cut it. Has anyone else had trouble proving exclusive use to the IRS?

thomas.river2mo ago

My buddy Mark lost the deduction because his desk had a framed family photo on it.

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the_riley2mo ago

@gray314 nailed it, the IRS really does take that exclusive use thing way too far. They wanted me to prove my home office had no personal stuff in it at all, not even a coat hanging on the back of the door. Pretty much any hint of dual use and they'll deny the whole deduction.

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gray3142mo ago

Yeah the IRS is weirdly strict about that exclusive use thing.

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