HOME OFFICE

An office located inside the home of a taxpayer that serves as the taxpayer's principal place of business. In order for home office-related expenses such as utilities and mortgage payments to be deductible, the taxpayer must use it as his or her primary place of business. This means that either the majority of the work for the business must be performed there, or clients must be met there on a regular basis.

"Home office" can also refer to the administrative headquarters of a large enterprise, such as the home office of a large corporation that is located in a particular city.