Can home office deduction be included in Sched C-EZ expenses

[ej401]

Self-employed. Very little income – if not self-employed, would not even be required to file a tax return. 56 sq ft of apartment used solely for work – this would be an allowed home office expense of $280 at $5.00 per sq ft.  Including this amount, total business expense is well below 5K. Can I use Sched C-EZ?

Thank you!

[truthbound]

You can on the schedule C.

[mwcpa]

No, you cannot use Schedule C-EZ if you claim an office in the home....

from the form itself...

"You May Use Schedule C-EZ Instead of Schedule C Only If You:

...

Do not deduct expenses for business use of your home.

..."

Be aware, an office in the home can only be reported if the area is "regularly" and "exclusively" used for the business...

[ej401]

Thanks!

[rangerj]

Added Notes:

A home office use in a residence is NOT residential rental use and is COMMERCIAL use of the property. MACRS depreciation is 39 years and/ not 27.5 years, which is the RESIDENTIAL RENTAL property depreciation period. Basis for depreciation is the lesser of the actual cost basis, or adjusted basis, or Fair Market Value at the time the property becomes depreciable. This is only the building and does not include the FMV of the land (land is not depreciable). Anything fixed or attached to the building in the office space is depreciated as part of the building, e.g. built in cabinets. Furniture, e.g. desk  and chair, are separate depreciable assets. If the property is depreciated the gain on that part of the property is not excludable from taxation as the gain on the sale of the "residence" would be.