Corporate Employe W Home Office

[mmqd5]

I am a new appraiser trainee corporate employee w a home office. Office is in the spare bedroom for the moment but plan to expand the family in the near future taking up that spare bedroom. Would it be appropriate to ask for compensation for using a home office while I train for the next 3 years? What can I ask for? (Office rent $, Furniture, electric, Internet, supplies, etc,) Note this is a start up company and no corporate office space is available near me.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

That's a good question for your tax person. Home offices are typically deductible but they also are known as one of the most notorious red flags that get you audited. So be meticulous how you estimate the rents, and keep very very good expense and income records - which is always a good practice anyway.

 

[mmqd5]

That's a good question for your tax person. Home offices are typically deductible but they also are known as one of the most notorious red flags that get you audited. So be meticulous how you estimate the rents, and keep very very good expense and income records - which is always a good practice anyway.

Beside the tax benefits, what can i ask my employer to be financially responsible for? (Ex: I will use electric/internet- but already have that in the house. I have some office furniture- but not enough.)

 

[Michigan CG]

How does a trainee work from home and get guidance from their mentor? The company you are working for is a "start-up" company? I would assume that the people training you have appraiser licenses and have been in the profession for some time.

 

[CindyR]

I am a new appraiser trainee corporate employee w a home office. Office is in the spare bedroom for the moment but plan to expand the family in the near future taking up that spare bedroom. Would it be appropriate to ask for compensation for using a home office while I train for the next 3 years? What can I ask for? (Office rent $, Furniture, electric, Internet, supplies, etc,) Note this is a start up company and no corporate office space is available near me.

As for the tax write off you can only deduct office area that is basically 100% devoted to office. Once your family addition starts sleeping in there you can kiss that deduction good bye. As for what you can ask for you can certainly ask for anything you want. Typically a company will have a program in place and tell you what they offer. if this is a start-up that may not be the case but there really is no specialized furniture or office equipment necessary for appraising. Office expenses like MLS membership might be reasonable. Supplies are basically paper and ink and camera batteries. These will be travel expense to the properties you will appraise where you will meet your supervisor but there are restrictions there as well and since you are driving to the property to meet your mentor and begin working the transportation to the first job site each day will be considered a commuting expense rather than a business travel expense.

The whole concept sounds a bit unusual - a start up with trainee sounds like some new AMC model or something. Are you sure this is not a scam?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I personally never worked in my mentor's offices, rather worked in my own and went to their office only when needed to.

 

[mmqd5]

How does a trainee work from home and get guidance from their mentor? The company you are working for is a "start-up" company? I would assume that the people training you have appraiser licenses and have been in the profession for some time.

Yes, you assumed correctly. I have a cohort of very respectable CG mentors. I will travel to their office for guidance frequently in the beginning but plan to phase off as my competence and skill level increase. Resulting in more home office time- w use of Skype, Go-To-Meetings- and other technology. What is your experience w Training a newbie-if any?

 

[mmqd5]

I personally never worked in my mentor's offices, rather worked in my own and went to their office only when needed to.

This is quite similar to what i envision for myself. Were you employed by anyone or were you an independent- on your own for expenses?

 

[mmqd5]

Cindy R,

Typically a company will have a program in place and tell you what they offer.
Do you have examples of what other companies programs in place offer?

no specialized furniture or office equipment necessary for appraising.
I realize that- but i am short on furniture- do I just buy my own and use that as a tax deduction later?

the transportation to the first job site each day will be considered a commuting expense rather than a business travel expense.
Wont matter to me w a company vehicle.

AMC model or something.
Can you explain what you are referencing?

Are you sure this is not a scam?
No, not a scam. Yes, this is a bit unusual but completely legit.

 

[CindyR]

Cindy R,

Typically a company will have a program in place and tell you what they offer.
Do you have examples of what other companies programs in place offer?

back in my corporate days before appraising we had a large outside sales force with very specific policies of what expenses we would reimburse, how often, to what limits, how to report, on what form, etc etc. also lengthy guidelines on car expenses - you need to keep detailed milage records even for a company provided vehicle so that they know what miles were for your personal non-business use as they must add these to you income so you can pay tax on that benefit.

might be some helpful info in here

https://www.peeriosity.com/shared-s...al-time-home-based-shared-services-employees/