402.488.2020

As a business owner or self-employed individual, one of the many financial aspects you need to consider is how to calculate deductible expenses related to your vehicle. The IRS provides two primary methods for calculating these expenses: the Standard Mileage method and the Actual Expenses method. Understanding the nuances of each method and when to use them can have a significant impact on your tax liability. In this blog post, we'll break down these two methods and explore some key considerations to help you make informed decisions about deductible expenses. 

Method 1: Standard Mileage Method 

The Standard Mileage method is the go-to choice for individuals who own their vehicles and use them for business purposes. The calculation is straightforward: 

Multiply business miles by the IRS standard mileage rate. 

This rate is determined by the IRS and varies year to year. For example, in 2023, the standard mileage rate is 65.5 cents per mile for business use. 

One notable advantage of this method is that if your business reimburses you for these miles, the reimbursement is deductible by the business and is not taxable income for you.  

Overall, this is the simplest method for taxpayers with the least amount of documentation required. 

Method 2: Actual Expenses Method 

The Actual Expenses method comes into play when your business owns the vehicle. This method involves a more detailed and comprehensive approach to calculating deductible expenses: 

  1. Keep a log of all miles driven. 
  2. Determine your business use percentage by dividing business miles by the total miles driven for the year. 

If your business use percentage is less than 50%, this method may not be the most advantageous for you. It's crucial to assess your specific situation before committing to this approach. 

Within the Actual Expenses method, there are two sub-methods to figure deductible costs: 

  • Income Inclusion Method: Deduct all vehicle-related costs and add personal miles to compensation on the individual's W-2 form. This means that personal use of the vehicle is included in your taxable income. 
  • Expense Exclusion Method: Reduce actual costs by personal miles. Under this method, personal use of the vehicle does not result in additional income on your W-2 form. 

Key Considerations 

  1. Business Miles Definition: Business miles include trips to meet patients, traveling between business locations, trips for banking or shopping for business purposes, attending business meetings, continuing education trips and transporting equipment. Commuting from home to your business location and back is not considered business mileage. 
  2. Vehicle Weight Matters: Vehicles between 6,000 and 14,000 pounds can be fully depreciated, potentially providing significant tax benefits. For vehicles under 6,000 pounds, depreciation is capped, with a limit of $20,200 in 2023. 

Calculating deductible expenses related to your vehicle can be a complex task, but it's a crucial aspect of managing your finances as a business owner or self-employed individual. Understanding the Standard Mileage and Actual Expenses methods, as well as their associated sub-methods and considerations, can help you make informed decisions that maximize your tax deductions while staying compliant with IRS regulations. It's advisable to consult with a tax professional or accountant to ensure you're following the most advantageous approach for your unique situation, ultimately helping you keep more of your hard-earned money. 

To get help with calculating expenses, schedule a call with Brad Rourke, CPA, ABV or learn more about optometry-specific accounting and tax on our website.  

Patrick McReynolds

Operations Manager

Email Patrick

 

Back to All Blogs

 

As an optometrist running your own clinic, you're likely familiar with the many demands of your profession. Amidst the clinical work and patient care, you may not have considered the potential tax benefits that come with your home office. The home office deduction can be a significant advantage for optometrists who operate their own clinics from home. In this article, we'll explore the unique requirements and deductions associated with the home office deduction, tailored specifically to optometrists. 

Requirements for a Home Office Deduction 

To claim the home office deduction, you must meet certain requirements set by the IRS. Here's what you need to know: 

  1. Principal Place of Business: Your home office can qualify as the principal place of business if a substantial amount of administrative and/or management activities are performed there. This means that if you primarily use your home office for tasks like managing your business, review patient records, employee hours, review resumes for hiring or other necessary business functions then it can meet this criterion. 
  2. Exclusive Business Use: The office or area you're claiming as your home office must be used exclusively for business purposes. It can include storage of inventory, supplies or equipment related to your business. Any personal use of this space may disqualify you from claiming the deduction. 

Calculating Your Deduction 

Once you've met the requirements, it's time to calculate your home office deduction. There are two methods to determine the business percentage: 

  1. Square Footage Method: Divide the square footage of your home office by the total square footage of your entire home. 
  2. Rooms Method: Divide the number of rooms used exclusively for your business by the total number of rooms in your home. Generally, Williams Group includes kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms and do not include bathrooms. 

Expenses for Deduction 

Understanding which expenses are deductible is important to maximizing your tax benefits: 

  1. Direct Expenses: Expenses directly related to the office area, such as repairs or painting in the office, are fully deductible. These costs are tied directly to your business space and can be claimed in full. 
  2. Indirect Expenses: Indirect expenses are those related to the entire home, such as insurance, utilities, and general repairs like furnace maintenance. These costs are based on the business use percentage you calculated earlier. For example, if your home office accounts for 10% of your home's total square footage, you can deduct 10% of these indirect expenses. 
  3. Unrelated Expenses: Expenses not connected to your home office, like lawn care or repairs in other areas of your home, are not deductible under the home office deduction. 

A Note on Depreciation  

One important consideration is the depreciation of your home if you've been claiming the home office deduction. If you eventually sell your residence after taking depreciation for the home office, the depreciation will reduce the cost basis of the residence when calculating the excluded gain of your primary residence. Be sure to consult with a tax professional to fully understand the implications of depreciation on your tax situation. 

The home office deduction can be a valuable tax benefit for self-employed individuals. By meeting the necessary requirements and understanding how to calculate your deductions, you can potentially reduce your tax liability. However, tax laws can be complex, so it's always a good idea to consult with a tax professional or accountant to ensure you're making the most of this deduction while staying compliant with IRS regulations. 

Maximize your deductions by schedule a call with Brad Rourke, CPA, ABV or learn more about optometry-specific accounting and tax on our website.  

Archie Keebler

Tax Manager

Email Archie

 

 

Back to All Blogs