Can I deduct the cost of my Blackberry and/or service plan if 98% percent of the use is work-related?

Answer 1

Probably. It depends on some facts and circumstances. If you have a profit motivated business, the answer is yes.

If you are an employee, does your employer require you to have portable access to the internet? If not, then the answer is no.

If your employer does require Blackberry-type access, does the employer reimburse you for this expense? If so, then again, no.

If the employer requires the access and does not reimburse it, then the answer is yes.

That is the good news for employees. But there is bad news too.

In the case of the employee business expense, it is a "Schedule A" deduction, which means that the government will not allow you to actually deduct this amount from your income unless your total "Schedule "A"" deductions exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income.

For example, if you are entitled to deduct your Blackberry charges as employee business deductions, and they are your only Schedule A deductions; they were $2,500 in a particular year, and your adjusted gross income was $50,000 in that year, then you could deduct $1,500. 2% of $50,000 is $1,000, and you are only allowed the Schedule A deductions to the extent that they exceed 2% of your AGI (taxspeak for adjusted gross income).

Answer 2

Only if you are self-employed or a business partner/owner. You can do it if you are itemizing on your taxes.

Answer 3

you can deduct 98% then...

Answer 4

absolutely, if you happen to work for someone else you can still claim it as an "unreimbursed employee expense".

Answer 5

if you are self employed yes

Answer 6

yep