Why wasn't I allowed to deduct a cell phone that I was required to purchase?

I just need my question answered for future reference. For several months in 2017 I was a so called "independent contractor" and the company I was working for required me to purchase an iPhone. Specifically, they said iPhone and it was on the list of equipment I was required to purchase. The place that just reviewed my taxes said that I wouldn't be allowed to deduct the phone. I dislike cell phones and the only reason I purchased it is because they said I had to. I have a home phone for my personal use, but from what some others have said, it sounds like I might need 2 cell phones to deduct one? They told me they didn't have time to explain it to me right now and to come back after tax season is over if I want tax advise. I was already given the standard deduction on my W2 from my full-time job, does that prevent you from claiming deductions on sideline / independent contractor work?

I don't know if it makes a difference, but I put the phone on a 24 month payment plan, so I'm stuck and still paying for the phone for another year or I will have to pay the early termination fee. I didn't get a personal cell phone because I didn't need it and wouldn't use it.

I'm asking because I'm considering other sideline work where I would be considered self-employed and want to be sure to keep track of deductible items or at least having some deductions to show for. My dad says it looks fishy to the IRS when you report an income of $8,000 but have no deductions.

Iphones are an item that can be used outside of the work environment

There's a similar clause for clothing, if your job requires you, for example, to wear a dress shirt and bow tie, you would not be able to deduct these, because they can be used outside of the work environment for formal evening wear

You either have to itemize your deductions, or take the standard deduction. It sounds like the standard was more for you than the itemized one would have been. If when you list all deductions allowed such as mortgage interest, child care, "your phone" etc… And the amounts total less than your "standard deduction" you choose which is more & then file accordingly. Your tax person/ and software used knows which is better for you.

The place you had do your taxes sucks, that's why. SD does not prevent you from claiming deductions on your Schedule C. You could have deducted nay payments made in 2017.

Maybe it is because the level of control the employer maintained means that you were an employee and should have been treated as one on payday.

You would need a phone dedicated to the business usage exclusively… In order to claim on your taxes. Claim you don't want a cell phone all you want, but when they are as ubiquitous as they are… You don't have a very good argument.

If you are going to continue doing these jobs as an independent contractor, consider setting up an LLC. That will make it easier to distinguish your business expenses, especially with a separate bank account.

A business deduction has nothing to do with the standard deduction. One rule on deduction for business of a cell phone is that you have a seoarate phone for personal use, so you don't qualify for a deduction.

IPhone X no doubt?

Ro use a phone, any phone to claim as a business expense it has to be used only for business, exclusively
you might use your home phone(land line) for your business but if it is also used for personal it is not permitted, same with a cell phone
in that you were required to get the cell phone by the person who used you and you had another phone for you personal use it should have been accepted
you don't need to see them after tax time, there's publication at www.irs.gov you can read to see what IRS does and does not accept as business expense of self employed

The standard deduction does NOT prevent you from claiming deductions on Schedule C or C-EZ for expenses for 1099-MISC independent contractor work.

Your dad is wrong. It's very, very common to have income from independent contractor work and no deductions -- that does not look fishy at all. On the other hand, having independent contractor work and any deductions does look fishy, because independent contractors often claim deductions that they shouldn't.