Can I write off my cell phone on my taxes???

Question

I'm in sales and 80% of my cell phone use is for business purposes. I also have my number advertised. Can I write off my cell phone bill on my taxes for the whole year?

Answer 1

You can probably write off 80% of the phone charges for the year since that is valid business use of the phone.

Answer 2

"With respect to your telephone expenses, they go right on your schedule C for business deduction. The government says that the first phone line in your home is personal because all households have one, and you will have it whether you have a business or not. Any features that you add to the phone are tax deductible 100%. Your cell phone is considered a second phone, even if it is multi-use. It is your second telephone and 100% write off. If you do not have a landline phone, just your cell phone, you will have..."

http://artistopia.blogspot.com/2005_01_05_artistopia_archive.html

Answer 3

Since you use the phone for personal use I don't think you are supposed to write it off on your taxes. Instead get a separate phone for personal use.

If you haven't already, open a separate checking account to use ONLY for your sales expenses. This will make it much easier to track your deductible expenses.

Answer 4

The business portion can be claimed on a 2106. The 2106 is added to your schedule A (after 2% of your AGI is deducted). Then if you itemize, you may see a difference in your tax bill.