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In the US of course, we deduct our home office from our taxes, meaning that our fellow citizens, or debt, support working from home. Thos seems like a saner sol

In the US of course, we deduct our home office from our taxes, meaning that our fellow citizens, or debt, support working from home. Thos seems like a saner solution.

madsbuch 6y ago
I am sure this is also possible to do in Switzerland. At least in Denmark it is. However, a tax refund it less than a reimbursement.
- fnsa 6y ago
  yup, it is allowed in Switzerland as well
- fastball 6y ago
  Depends entirely on the situation which one is less.
dependenttypes 6y ago
> meaning that our fellow citizens, or debt, support working from home This is the case only if you think that paying taxes is some form of duty.
caughtyourimp 6y ago
You make it sound like European countries don’t have deductibles and similar laws for the those equally savvy to put it on the tax payers? I see this pattern amongst Americans these days thinking these sorta of shenanigans and morally questionable laws is unique to them? Is it a form of self flagellation? Certain European countries let tax payers pay for 80% of their foreign/migrant workforce without getting their growing revenue or equity to the state.
Pfhreak 6y ago
Not anymore, this administration did away with that deduction in 2017 if you are an employee. Unless you are a contractor, business owner, or otherwise self employed you cannot deduct a home office. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2020/03/23/working-from-home-your-home-offices-expenses-are-probably-not-tax-deductible/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2020/03/23/wor...
- beezle 6y ago
  Employers can reimburse employees for home office costs provided they meet the existing definitions of home office and proper, regular accounting is done. That money is not considered taxable income to the employee. However, an upfront flat "reimbursement" would probably be considered a taxable fringe benefit.
raverbashing 6y ago
Yes, if you're self-employed. Being allowed to deduct it from the taxes is a recognition that it is a 'work expense' rather than a profit (because you're charging it from you customer). It's the same idea w.r.t the reinbursement.
crazygringo 6y ago
That's really twisting things beyond recognition. In the US, we deduct business costs period, but pay taxes on profits. So as long as your business or your employer's is making profits, the taxes on profits are replacing it, not your fellow citizens. And if profits aren't being made, well obviously the situation isn't going to last too long. The idea that the taxes of people who don't work from home are somehow subsidizing those who do is... just not how it works.
maxerickson 6y ago
If https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/national-average-monthly-mortgage-payment/ https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/national-average-m... is reasonably accurate, most people aren't going to be itemizing deductions, they will take the standard deduction.
nojito 6y ago
Not if you are an employee of a business. The tax code just changed this year.

In the US of course, we deduct our home office from our taxes, meaning that our fellow citizens, or debt, support working from home. Thos seems like a saner solution.

madsbuch 6y ago

I am sure this is also possible to do in Switzerland. At least in Denmark it is. However, a tax refund it less than a reimbursement.

fnsa 6y ago
yup, it is allowed in Switzerland as well
fastball 6y ago
Depends entirely on the situation which one is less.

dependenttypes 6y ago

> meaning that our fellow citizens, or debt, support working from home This is the case only if you think that paying taxes is some form of duty.

caughtyourimp 6y ago

You make it sound like European countries don’t have deductibles and similar laws for the those equally savvy to put it on the tax payers? I see this pattern amongst Americans these days thinking these sorta of shenanigans and morally questionable laws is unique to them? Is it a form of self flagellation? Certain European countries let tax payers pay for 80% of their foreign/migrant workforce without getting their growing revenue or equity to the state.

Pfhreak 6y ago

Not anymore, this administration did away with that deduction in 2017 if you are an employee. Unless you are a contractor, business owner, or otherwise self employed you cannot deduct a home office. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2020/03/23/working-from-home-your-home-offices-expenses-are-probably-not-tax-deductible/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2020/03/23/wor...

beezle 6y ago
Employers can reimburse employees for home office costs provided they meet the existing definitions of home office and proper, regular accounting is done. That money is not considered taxable income to the employee. However, an upfront flat "reimbursement" would probably be considered a taxable fringe benefit.

raverbashing 6y ago

Yes, if you're self-employed. Being allowed to deduct it from the taxes is a recognition that it is a 'work expense' rather than a profit (because you're charging it from you customer). It's the same idea w.r.t the reinbursement.

crazygringo 6y ago

That's really twisting things beyond recognition. In the US, we deduct business costs period, but pay taxes on profits. So as long as your business or your employer's is making profits, the taxes on profits are replacing it, not your fellow citizens. And if profits aren't being made, well obviously the situation isn't going to last too long. The idea that the taxes of people who don't work from home are somehow subsidizing those who do is... just not how it works.

maxerickson 6y ago

If https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/national-average-monthly-mortgage-payment/ https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/national-average-m... is reasonably accurate, most people aren't going to be itemizing deductions, they will take the standard deduction.

nojito 6y ago

Not if you are an employee of a business. The tax code just changed this year.