Work from home pros, cons and home office tax tip

Are you ready to go back to this? Or is working from home working out just fine for you?

It’s the last weekend of September. Not that calendars matter so much anymore to many of us — including me — who are still coronavirus quarantining.

But time measurement and management are still important if you’re working, or trying to, from home.

States are in various degrees of reopening, meaning more of us have or will be heading back to our offices. Others, however, will continue to work from home, aka WFH.

In fact, some companies have said they’ll maintain remote workers even after we’re eventually given the COVID-19 all-clear.

Have you been telecommuting? If so, you might find the results of a recent SellCell survey of interest.

More than 2000 new U.S. telecommuters were asked in early June to ask about their COVID-prompted WFH situations and how the change has affected their jobs and personal lives.

Some of the findings were surprising. Others were expected.

But most are entertaining. That’s why the survey, whose results are displayed in a nifty infographic posted by DailyInfographic is this weekend’s Saturday Shout Out feature. (Viewing tip: Left click the infographic and a larger version will pop up on your screen.)

Here are some highlights.

There are WFH distractions: Almost 62 percent of those surveyed said social media platforms are a huge distraction while working at home. I’m curious what the percentage would be if this question had been asked — and answered honestly — of folks working in traditional workspaces.

Other work from home distractions include binge watching streaming programs (guilty!), children, pets, spouses/significant others and online shopping.

But still working, happily: Still, most who were surveyed said they’re getting their work done. More than three quarters said there’s been no change or they’re actually more productive than before.

And they appreciated the benefits of working from home, which are highlighted in the infographic excerpt below.

Check out the full infographic and see if you agree with its findings.

Things at the office might have changed…: As more offices open and people head back to their former formal work spaces, be prepared for changes.

Some of them could be quite disconcerting.

Here’s hoping a herpetologist clears out that place before the employees return!

…but home office rules are the same: Also remember, since this is a tax blog, that if you’re an employee working from home during the pandemic, you probably won’t be able to deduct your new home office.

Sorry.

My earlier post has details on the Internal Revenue Service rules regarding home office tax deductions requirements and limitations.

You also might find these items of interest:

• Expanded tax help in covering child care costs during coronavirus closure rules
• Homeowner’s insurance is sort of tax deductible in some home office instances
• COVID-changed work patterns mean tax hassles, possible KC workers’ refunds

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