Information for all self-employeds -- independent, sole proprietor, 1099, sub-contractor, indie. Tax law and regulations have a profound impact on all of you. I am a practicing accountant. I post simple and easy-to-understand answers to complex tax questions asked by you -- my fellow indies. You will learn that tax savvy and recordkeeping know-how can save you time and money as well as lower your stress and anxiety level and help form the foundation of successful self-employment.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Is a housesitter a business deduction?
June --
Long-haul truck driver for 25 years: We have finally hired a house sitter for when we are gone trucking. Is the $15 a day we pay her considered a deduction? We get most of advice from our personal accountant.
Patricia
Dear Patricia,
If you are not an employee of your husband or vice versa or you are not a partnership or you do not treat trucking as a joint self-employed business -- allowed in some states -- then not only are expenses for the non-business spouse not deductible, but I would not deduct any cost for the housesitter since the reason the non-business spouse is not there taking care of the house is for personal reasons. [More here on husband-wife business. ]
If you are both in the business and if you have a legitimate deduction for home office and if you have a legitimate house sitter -- not someone you pay in cash who is not claiming the income -- then you may deduct the housesitter costs at the same percent as you deduct home office. Same as you would an alarm system or a housekeeper.
-- June
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