Mortgage insurance for home office?

[Possi]

Can I take a portion of mortgage insurance on a home office? I don't see anything saying I cannot.

[SaraEA]

If you're talking about mortgage insurance premiums (PMI), that deduction has expired and has not as yet been extended.  If you're talking about your homeowner's insurance you pay through your mortgage company, yes a portion is deductible on the 8829.

[Terry D EA]

I don't know if you can or not either and I agree with SaraEA the PMI has expired. However, what about the safe harbor method where you are limited to a 300 SQ Foot figure. I usually come out better using that method than using actual expenses.

[Abby Normal]

14 hours ago, Terry D said:

I usually come out better using that method than using actual expenses

This can be true because the mortgage interest and real estate taxes move back to the Sch A, and you don't have to worry about depreciation when you sell.

[Edsel]

If indeed I have a vote, I would vote in favor of listing mortgage insurance along with all other expenses for home office percentage.

Just because it is not allowed on a schedule A anymore doesn't mean it isn't an expense.  You can't deduct insurance, utilities, repairs, etc. either on a Sch A but they are allowed to apply a percentage for home office deduction.

 

[Pacun]

Take the deduction as insurance.

I wonder if with the new ceiling on mortgage interest on the personal level starting with tax year 2018, people will have 50% of their homes as home offices. I normally don't like to take home office deduction because of the regular and exclusive use rule but some people will benefit if they hit the mortgage ceiling.