TurboTax Support

"Home office deduction is greater than net income" message in TurboTax Home & Business

After further review of this area in TurboTax, the limitation is being calculated correctly.

There could be various factors that are limiting the home office deduction, but the most common reason is due to the percentage entered for the business use of the home. 

The following screen has been improved to be clearer on what the impact of the percentage can do to your home office deduction:

The percentage entered on the screen above can reduce the amount of income that is used to determine the home office deduction, which is covered in the "Note".

This, in addition to other business deductions and carryovers from prior years, can limit the home office deduction you can take in the current year.

Suggestions

Here are some steps you can take to ensure you are receiving the correct deduction for your home office:

  • Review the percentage that you entered on the screen referenced above.
  • If the percentage you entered is accurate, then the limitation that TurboTax is calculating is correct.
  • If the percentage is not correct then change the percentage to accurately reflect the amount of business use of your home office.

For additional information regarding the home office deduction and limitations, please refer to IRS Instructions for Form 8829, specifically line 8 which is the home office deduction.

Solution

We have improved the messaging in this area in a recent TurboTax update. 

The screen included in this article reflects the new screen in the interview.

For assistance with updating TurboTax, please visit the How To Update TurboTax support article.

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