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Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by Nition on Thursday May 04, 2017 @05:07PM (#14268840)
I'm not sure about the US but here in New Zealand, even if you just work in a room in your usual home, you can claim that percent of your home's costs in your business expenses.[1] So I definitely wouldn't say you're doing anything immoral tax-wise.

[1] http://www.ird.govt.nz/business-income-tax/expenses/homebus-...

Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by mstade on Thursday May 04, 2017 @07:43PM (#14269893)
Yeah it's the same here in Sweden but its much less hassle audit wise to just show a separate unit with the company name on the door than a single room. Or at least, that's what my accountant told me, and the grapevine seemed to agree at the time I looked this up.
Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by velodrome on Thursday May 04, 2017 @05:30PM (#14269014)
Yes, the US has the home business deduction.

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p587/index.html

Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by BatFastard on Thursday May 04, 2017 @05:45PM (#14269149)
But most accountants suggest you don't take that deduction since they tend to be audited at a much higher rate.
Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by Tushon on Thursday May 04, 2017 @06:49PM (#14269568)
I'm gonna call a hard citation please on "most accountants don't recommend" you taking a deduction that could get you a boatload of reduced tax liability.
Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by fnayr on Thursday May 04, 2017 @08:19PM (#14270122)
Well I definitely got that recommendation too. His exact advice was that I shouldn't take it unless the office was it's own sealed off room that was NEVER used for ANY other purpose. He certainly scared me out of taking the deduction.
Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by dfcab on Thursday May 04, 2017 @10:06PM (#14270601)
Agree, was told same. The requirements are strict and just not worth the hassle. Hope laws can be updated as working from home is more commonplace nowadays.
Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by pault on Friday May 05, 2017 @08:24AM (#14272852)
That's funny because turbotax always suggests this.
Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by charlesdm on Thursday May 04, 2017 @07:39PM (#14269868)
If you're scared about an audit, you shouldn't be in business.
Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by blackguardx on Friday May 05, 2017 @12:39AM (#14271140)
I think many people use their home offices for other stuff than just work. Maybe it's a spare bedroom for guests or maybe they sometimes place computer games in it. If you get audited, you will have to explain all this. It won't be fun and if the audit doesn't go your way, you are looking at legal trouble.
Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by jsmthrowaway on Friday May 05, 2017 @12:12AM (#14271061)
Fear isn't the only reason to avoid one. They're also quite inconvenient.
Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by icedchai on Thursday May 04, 2017 @08:06PM (#14270048)
I've been taking it for 15 years. I've never had a problem.
Re:How to Survive as a Solo Dev for Like a Decade or So by koonsolo on Friday May 05, 2017 @10:12AM (#14273536)
Same here in Belgium