Can You Claim House Cleaning on Taxes? A Guide for Homeowners and Housekeepers

House cleaning is a common and necessary expense for many people, whether they hire a professional service or do it themselves. But can you claim house cleaning on taxes? The answer depends on several factors, such as your relationship with the housekeeper, the purpose of the house cleaning, and the method of claiming the expense or income.

By the end of this article, you will better understand the tax implications of house cleaning and how to take advantage of the available tax benefits.

Can You Claim House Cleaning on Taxes?

House cleaning is a common and necessary expense for many homeowners, but can you claim it on your taxes? The general rule is that house cleaning is a personal expense, not tax deductible.

However, this rule has some exceptions, depending on the purpose of the house cleaning and the type of property you own. Here are some situations where you may be able to deduct house cleaning expenses on your taxes:

Home Office

Suppose you have a home office that you use exclusively and regularly for business purposes. In that case, you may be able to deduct a portion of your house cleaning expenses as part of the home office deduction. You can either deduct the actual expenses based on the percentage of your home used for business or use a simplified method of $5 per square foot of your home office, up to 300 square feet. 

Rental Property

If you own a rental property that you rent out to tenants, you may be able to deduct house cleaning expenses as part of your rental income and expenses. You can deduct the cost of cleaning the rental property before and after each tenant and any regular cleaning services you provide to the tenants. You must report your rental income and expenses on Schedule E of Form 1040. 

Medical Condition

If you have a medical condition that requires you to have house cleaning services prescribed by a doctor, you may be able to deduct house cleaning expenses as part of your medical expenses. You can deduct the amount of your house cleaning expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You must itemize your deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040 and attach a letter from your doctor stating the medical necessity of the house cleaning services.

Note: You should always be aware of the requirements and limitations of each exception and keep receipts and invoices to support your claims. You should also consult a tax professional if you have any questions or doubts about your eligibility.

Can housekeepers claim house cleaning on taxes?

If you work as a housekeeper, you may wonder how to report your income and expenses from house cleaning on your taxes. The answer depends on whether you are an employee or an independent contractor for tax purposes.

This distinction affects how you file your tax return, what forms you need to use, and what deductions you can claim. Here are some of the differences between an employee and an independent contractor for housekeepers:

If you are an employee

It means your client controls how you perform your house cleaning duties, provides the necessary tools and materials, and pays you a regular wage or salary. In this case, you should receive a Form W-2 from your employer, showing your income and taxes withheld. 

You should report your income from house cleaning on Form 1040, and you may be able to deduct some of your unreimbursed employee expenses related to house cleaning on Schedule A, but only if they exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income.

You should also report any tips you receive from house cleaning on Form 4137 and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. You cannot deduct any of your house cleaning expenses as a business expense since you are not self-employed. 

If you are an independent contractor

It means that you have more control over how you perform your house cleaning duties, provide your tools and materials, and negotiate your own fees and terms with your clients. In this case, you should receive a Form 1099-NEC from each client who paid you $600 or more in a year, showing your income from house cleaning. 

You should report your income from house cleaning on Schedule C of Form 1040 and pay self-employment taxes on Schedule SE. You can deduct all of your ordinary and necessary business expenses related to house cleaning on Schedule C, such as cleaning supplies, equipment, mileage, advertising, etc. You should also keep track of your income and expenses and provide receipts and invoices to support your claims. 

How do you claim house cleaning on taxes?

Depending on your situation, you may have different methods of claiming house cleaning expenses or income on your taxes. Here are some of the common scenarios and how to report them:

Homeowner

If you are a homeowner and qualify for one of the exceptions to deduct house cleaning expenses, you must itemize your deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040. You will also need to attach Form 2106 if you claim house cleaning expenses related to a home office or Schedule E if you claim house cleaning expenses related to a rental property. You will need to provide receipts and invoices to support your claims.

Housekeeper and an employee of a client

If you are a housekeeper and an employee of a client, you will need to report your income from house cleaning on Form W-2. You must also report any tips you received from house cleaning on Form 4137. You may be able to deduct some of your unreimbursed employee expenses related to house cleaning on Schedule A, but only if they exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income. You will need to attach Form 2106 to claim these expenses. 

Housekeeper and an independent contractor

If you are a housekeeper and an independent contractor, you must report your income from house cleaning on Schedule C of Form 1040. You must also report any self-employment taxes you owe on Schedule SE. You can deduct all of your ordinary and necessary business expenses related to house cleaning on Schedule C, such as cleaning supplies, equipment, mileage, advertising, etc. You must keep track of your income and expenses and provide receipts and invoices to support your claims. 

How to save money on house cleaning taxes?

House cleaning services can be expensive, but there are ways to reduce the tax burden and save money on house cleaning taxes. Here are some tips and strategies to consider:

Claim all eligible tax credits and deductions. 

Claim all eligible tax credits and deductions related to house cleaning. This will help you reduce your taxable income or increase your tax refund. Some of the common tax credits and deductions related to house cleaning are:

Final Analysis

House cleaning is a common and necessary expense for many people, but it can also have tax implications for homeowners and housekeepers. In this article, we have explained, “Can you claim house cleaning on taxes? Who can claim house cleaning on taxes, what are the requirements and limitations, and how do you report house cleaning income or expenses?

We have also provided some tips and strategies on how to save money on house cleaning taxes. We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. However, please note that this article is not intended to be legal or tax advice, and you should always consult a tax professional if you have any questions or doubts about your situation. Thank you for reading, and happy cleaning!

Jl.Surjan

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