If my job is to maintain/update a store's web page, can I get a laptop and write it off on tax day?

Question

I work at a motorcycle dealership is sales and I also maintain and update the store's web page. Can I get a laptop computer and write the cost off on tax day?

Answer 1

The dealership should be paying for that computer.

Assuming you can write it off, you will only receive the fractional amount back corresponding with your tax bracket. For a $1000 laptop, your refund would be:
YOUR----------LAPTOP
BRACKET----REFUND
30%-------------$700
28%-------------$720

Get the idea? Writing it off only counts against your total income, you still pay tax on it. Your sales tax may or may not be refundable too. Your state income tax may allow you a write off.

If the motorcycle shop pays for it, they are able to write it off AND amortize it. They are allowed to deduct against their taxes for depreciation every time they pay taxes. I think they can do this for at least three years, maybe even five years.

It's entirely a better deal for them to buy the laptop than for you to buy it. Unless you have a special reason for buying the laptop yourself, the motorcycle shop should be paying for it. Lots of companies give their employees laptops they can take home!

Hope this helped.

Answer 2

If you purchase the laptop, you can deduct it as unreimbursed employment expenses, but that will only help if you itemize, not if you take the standard deduction. Also, unless you use it strictly for work you may not be able to deduct it at all.

Answer 3

If you are a 1099 employee (a subcontractor) then yes you can use it as a deduction to offset your tax liability. If you are a W-2 employee (taxes are with-held from each paycheck) then no you can't.

Answer 4

I didnt understand "write the cost off on tax day". Ple elaborate.

Answer 5

As an employee, you can deduct it as a miscellaneous itemized deduction (employee business expense on form 2106). If you can't itemize, then then deduction is lost.