Fill out 8829 (Expenses for Business Use of Your Home) online
Form 8829 calculates the deductible expenses for business use of your home (home office deduction). It determines the percentage of your home used for business and applies that to housing expenses like mortgage interest, rent, utilities, and insurance.
How to fill out 8829 (Expenses for Business Use of Your Home)
Calculate the business percentage
Determine the square footage of your home office and divide by the total square footage of your home. Enter the percentage on line 7.
Enter direct and indirect expenses
Direct expenses (only for the office area) go in column a. Indirect expenses (whole-home costs like utilities, insurance, rent/mortgage interest) go in column b.
Calculate allowable deduction
Multiply indirect expenses by the business percentage. Add direct expenses. The form limits the deduction to your gross income from the business.
Enter depreciation
If you own your home, calculate the depreciation for the business portion on lines 36-43. This is based on the home value and the business-use percentage.
About 8829 (Expenses for Business Use of Your Home)
Who needs this form
Self-employed individuals who use part of their home regularly and exclusively as their principal place of business, a place to meet clients, or a separate structure used for business. Employees generally cannot claim this deduction.
Where to submit
Attach Form 8829 to your Schedule C when filing your Form 1040. The deduction amount from line 36 transfers to Schedule C, line 30.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-16
- Check the latest official form instructions for the filing year that applies to you.
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Claiming a space not used regularly and exclusively for business
- Including expenses for parts of the home not used for business
- Forgetting to include indirect expenses like utilities and insurance
- Not considering the simplified method ($5 per sq ft, up to 300 sq ft)
Frequently asked questions
Is this form free to fill out?
Yes. SimplePDF lets you fill out any PDF form for free, directly in your browser. No account required. For team and business features, see our pricing plans.
Do I need to create an account?
No. You can fill out and download the form without creating an account or signing up.
Is my data secure?
SimplePDF is not a covered entity under HIPAA. Documents are processed entirely in the user's browser and never transit via SimplePDF's servers, on any plan. Read our privacy policy for more details.
Is this legal, tax, or immigration advice?
No. SimplePDF provides form-filling tools and general informational content, not professional advice. Verify requirements with official instructions or a qualified professional.
Can I share a direct link to this form?
Yes! You can create a direct link to any PDF by prefixing its URL with simplepdf.com/. For example: simplepdf.com/https://example.com/form.pdf. Anyone who opens the link can fill out the form immediately in their browser. You can also embed the editor in your own website.
Can I use the simplified method instead?
Yes. Instead of Form 8829, you can use the simplified method: deduct $5 per square foot of your home office, up to a maximum of 300 square feet ($1,500 deduction). Enter the amount directly on Schedule C, line 30.
SimplePDF provides a tool to fill out PDF forms. We are not affiliated with any government agency or form issuer. It is your responsibility to verify the accuracy and completeness of any information entered. SimplePDF is not liable for errors, omissions, or consequences resulting from the use of filled-out forms.