Employee Business Expense

Safe Deposit Box

Asked Saturday, September 23, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If the Safe Deposit Box is used to store investment documents such as securities. It is a miscellaneous itemized deduction entered on IRS Schedule A, subject to the 2% limitation.
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Employee Business Expense

Subscriptions

Asked Saturday, September 23, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Expenses for magazines, books, newsletters, and investment services are deductible as a miscellaneous itemized deduction, subject to the 2% limitation on Schedule A.
Investment management or investment planner fees are also deductible.
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Employee Business Expense

Tax preparation fees

Asked Saturday, September 23, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Tax preparation and audit fees are deductible. A portion of these fees may be allocated to the individual's business tax forms (Schedule(s) C,E,F) or as an itemized deduction on Schedule A subject to the 2% limitation.
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Employee Business Expense

Commissions earned, but not yet paid

Asked Friday, September 22, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Generally, for cash basis taxpayers, Form 1099-Misc will be issued for the amount paid. Accrual basis entities will pay tax on commissions earned.
Commissions earned are taxable in the year earned and credited to your account and subject to your drawing, regardless if you actually drew that amount out of the account or not.
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Employee Business Expense

Performing Artist

Asked Friday, September 22, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If you meet the criteria for a "performing artist", you may use your business deductions to arrive at an adjusted gross income.
The deductions are not considered an itemized deduction, but rather as an offset against adjusted gross income. Speak to your local CPA to determine if you meet the criteria for a "performing artist" and whether you can take advantage of this income offset reportable on IRS Form 2106.
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Employee Business Expense

Uniform - Cleaning

Asked Friday, September 22, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If you can claim the expense of purchasing uniforms or special work clothes, then the cleaning, laundering, and repair of those items are also deductible as an itemized deduction subject to the 2% AGI limitation on IRS Schedule A.
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Employee Business Expense

Computers

Asked Friday, September 22, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The IRS has strict guidelines as to who may fully expense or depreciate the cost of purchasing a computer.
The computer must be used for the "convenience of your employer" and also be required as a "condition of employment".
Condition of employment means you cannot properly do your job without it. Computers are considered "listed property" subject to IRS restrictions.
The computer must be required for the job and be inextricably related to proper job performance.
The purchase of the computer must be a mandatory job requirement, not just a convenience for the employee.
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Employee Business Expense

Cell phones

Asked Friday, September 22, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Cellular phone equipment (similar to computers) must be used for the "convenience of the employer" and be a "condition of employment" for the taxpayer in order for it to be fully expensed or for the cellular phone costs to be depreciated.
Condition of employment means you cannot properly do your job without it.
You may write off the cost under the first year expensing rule or use a 5 year MACRS life for depreciation.
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Employee Business Expense

Tools

Asked Friday, September 22, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If you purchase your own small tools for use on your job and they are not reimbursed from your employer, you may deduct the cost as an itemized deduction subject to the 2 % limitation on Schedule A.
If the tools have an expected useful life of more than one year, then the costs should be depreciated or the first year expense election may be taken.
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