In the US, tax season may seem far away, but getting ready ahead of time makes all the difference. Millions of small business owners and people who work for themselves have to fill out forms and figure out what they can and cannot claim every year. Plus, if you work from home, you might be able to save money that most people don’t even know about.

It is because of this that the IRS gives taxpayers a guide that solves many of the most common questions. There is information on this tool, and it also tells you how to properly save some money on your taxes if you use a part of your home as an office or workspace. You don’t need to know a lot about computers or be an expert. You just need to read it carefully, make sure you understand a few things, and get your tax information ready for next year.

Tax breaks for people who work from home

If you work for yourself, as a freelancer, or as part of a partnership, you may be able to deduct some costs linked to using your home for business. But putting your laptop on the coffee table in the living room isn’t enough. It’s clear what the rule is: you can only and regularly use the room for your business.

This means you can write off costs if you only use a room as an office, if you meet clients there, if you store things there, or even if you offer child care at home. In these situations, you might be able to deduct some of your rent, property taxes, energy, insurance, and even small repairs.

But it’s no longer true if you work in the same room and watch TV shows at night. One of the most important needs is exclusive use. Also, it must be your main place of business, which means it’s where you do most of your daily work or administrative chores.

Get a tax break of up to $1,500 from the IRS.

The IRS gives you two ways to claim the credit. The traditional way, also known as the “regular method,” is to split costs between using the home for work and personal reasons. In this case, you can claim 10% of certain costs if you use 10% of your home for your business. If you are self-employed, this figure is shown on Form 8829 along with Schedule C.

The other choice, the simplified way, is a lot easier. In this case, all you need to know is how many square feet you use for work. Up to $300 is the most you can deduct: $5 per square foot. You could deduct $750 if you work in a 150-square-foot room without having to deal with bills or percentages. This reduction is written right on Schedule C.

Which method you use relies on what’s going on. You might be able to deduct more with the regular way if your costs are high, but it takes longer and costs more. The simpler method is easier to understand, but you can’t carry over losses from one year to the next like you can with the other way.

In addition, if you work as part of a partnership, in agriculture, or as a child care provider, you can use certain forms, like Schedule E or Schedule F, to claim these benefits. It’s important to know about this kind of benefit because it can help you pay less tax if you meet the requirements. Being aware of this option before tax season starts can help you save a lot of money that you will feel in your pocket.