The IRS has announced a new option for claiming the home office deduction beginning in 2013 with a less detailed form. This option places a $1,500 cap ($5 per square foot with a 300 square foot maximum) on the deduction and does not allow depreciation for the portion of the home used for business purposes. However, mortgage interest, real estate taxes, and casualty losses for the entire home, including the portion used for business, can be itemized and deducted on Schedule A. In other words, these deductions no longer need to be split between personal and business use.
For more information see the full article on the IRS website.
