Title 26, Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-110
§280A Disallowance of Certain Expenses in Connection with Business Use of Home, Rental of Vacation Homes, Etc.
Title 26 › Subtitle A — Income Taxes › CHAPTER 1 — NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES › Subchapter B — Computation of Taxable Income › PART IX — ITEMS NOT DEDUCTIBLE › § 280A
Summary
People who are individuals or S corporations generally cannot take tax deductions for expenses tied to a home if they use that home as a residence during the year. Some deductions still apply even if the home is a residence, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, and casualty losses. Deductions are allowed for parts of a home that are used regularly and only for business (like your main place of business, a room where you meet clients, or a separate building not attached to the house), for storage of inventory when the home is the only fixed business location, for renting the home, and for running a day-care business from the home (but day-care owners must have applied for, been granted, or be exempt from required state licenses for expenses accruing in periods starting on or after the first day of the first month that begins more than 90 days after the Tax Reduction and Simplification Act of 1977 was enacted). If the space is not used only for business, expenses for that space are limited by the share of hours it is used for business. For business, storage, day care, and most rental uses when the taxpayer uses the unit as a residence, deductible expenses for that use cannot be more than the income from that use minus related allowable deductions; any excess can be carried forward to the next year. Renting the home to your employer while you use it as an employee makes those rental exceptions unavailable. A home counts as used as a residence if personal use days exceed the greater of 14 days or 10% of the days it was rented at a fair rental. Personal use includes use by the owner, someone with an ownership interest, family members, or others who swap use, unless the unit was rented at a fair rental that day. A rental is treated as non-personal if it is to someone as their principal residence, including certain shared-equity arrangements (shared ownership with rent, where a qualified ownership interest is an undivided interest for more than 50 years). For owners who rent their main home, special rules treat long rental periods (12 or more months, or shorter rentals that end when the home is sold) differently. Rental-related expenses must be prorated by days rented versus days used, except for deductions that would be allowed whether or not the unit was rented. A “dwelling unit” covers houses, apartments, condos, mobile homes, boats, and similar property, but not hotel-like portions. If a home used as a residence is rented for less than 15 days in the year, no rental deductions are allowed and the short-term rental income is not taxable.
Full Legal Text
Title 26, §280A
Internal Revenue Code, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)General rule
Except as otherwise provided in this section, in the case of a taxpayer who is an individual or an S corporation, no deduction otherwise allowable under this chapter shall be allowed with respect to the use of a dwelling unit which is used by the taxpayer during the taxable year as a residence.
(b)Exception for interest, taxes, casualty losses, etc.
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any deduction allowable to the taxpayer without regard to its connection with his trade or business (or with his income-producing activity).
(c)Exceptions for certain business or rental use; limitation on deductions for such use
(1)Certain business use
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any item to the extent such item is allocable to a portion of the dwelling unit which is exclusively used on a regular basis—
(A)as the principal place of business for any trade or business of the taxpayer,
(B)as a place of business which is used by patients, clients, or customers in meeting or dealing with the taxpayer in the normal course of his trade or business, or
(C)in the case of a separate structure which is not attached to the dwelling unit, in connection with the taxpayer’s trade or business.
In the case of an employee, the preceding sentence shall apply only if the exclusive use referred to in the preceding sentence is for the convenience of his employer. For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “principal place of business” includes a place of business which is used by the taxpayer for the administrative or management activities of any trade or business of the taxpayer if there is no other fixed location of such trade or business where the taxpayer conducts substantial administrative or management activities of such trade or business.
(2)Certain storage use
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any item to the extent such item is allocable to space within the dwelling unit which is used on a regular basis as a storage unit for the inventory or product samples of the taxpayer held for use in the taxpayer’s trade or business of selling products at retail or wholesale, but only if the dwelling unit is the sole fixed location of such trade or business.
(3)Rental use
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any item which is attributable to the rental of the dwelling unit or portion thereof (determined after the application of subsection (e)).
(4)Use in providing day care services
(A)In general
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any item to the extent that such item is allocable to the use of any portion of the dwelling unit on a regular basis in the taxpayer’s trade or business of providing day care for children, for individuals who have attained age 65, or for individuals who are physically or mentally incapable of caring for themselves.
(B)Licensing, etc., requirement
Subparagraph (A) shall apply to items accruing for a period only if the owner or operator of the trade or business referred to in subparagraph (A)—
(i)has applied for (and such application has not been rejected),
(ii)has been granted (and such granting has not been revoked), or
(iii)is exempt from having,
a license, certification, registration, or approval as a day care center or as a family or group day care home under the provisions of any applicable State law. This subparagraph shall apply only to items accruing in periods beginning on or after the first day of the first month which begins more than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Tax Reduction and Simplification Act of 1977.
(C)Allocation formula
If a portion of the taxpayer’s dwelling unit used for the purposes described in subparagraph (A) is not used exclusively for those purposes, the amount of the expenses attributable to that portion shall not exceed an amount which bears the same ratio to the total amount of the items allocable to such portion as the number of hours the portion is used for such purposes bears to the number of hours the portion is available for use.
(5)Limitation on deductions
In the case of a use described in paragraph (1), (2), or (4), and in the case of a use described in paragraph (3) where the dwelling unit is used by the taxpayer during the taxable year as a residence, the deductions allowed under this chapter for the taxable year by reason of being attributed to such use shall not exceed the excess of— (A)
(B)the sum of—
(i)the deductions allocable to such use which are allowable under this chapter for the taxable year whether or not such unit (or portion thereof) was so used, and
(ii)the deductions allocable to the trade or business (or rental activity) in which such use occurs (but which are not allocable to such use) for such taxable year.
Any amount not allowable as a deduction under this chapter by reason of the preceding sentence shall be taken into account as a deduction (allocable to such use) under this chapter for the succeeding taxable year. Any amount taken into account for any taxable year under the preceding sentence shall be subject to the limitation of the 1st sentence of this paragraph whether or not the dwelling unit is used as a residence during such taxable year.
(6)Treatment of rental to employer
Paragraphs (1) and (3) shall not apply to any item which is attributable to the rental of the dwelling unit (or any portion thereof) by the taxpayer to his employer during any period in which the taxpayer uses the dwelling unit (or portion) in performing services as an employee of the employer.
(d)Use as residence
(1)In general
For purposes of this section, a taxpayer uses a dwelling unit during the taxable year as a residence if he uses such unit (or portion thereof) for personal purposes for a number of days which exceeds the greater of— (A)
(B)10 percent of the number of days during such year for which such unit is rented at a fair rental.
For purposes of subparagraph (B), a unit shall not be treated as rented at a fair rental for any day for which it is used for personal purposes.
(2)Personal use of unit
For purposes of this section, the taxpayer shall be deemed to have used a dwelling unit for personal purposes for a day if, for any part of such day, the unit is used—
(A)for personal purposes by the taxpayer or any other person who has an interest in such unit, or by any member of the family (as defined in section 267(c)(4)) of the taxpayer or such other person;
(B)by any individual who uses the unit under an arrangement which enables the taxpayer to use some other dwelling unit (whether or not a rental is charged for the use of such other unit); or
(C)by any individual (other than an employee with respect to whose use section 119 applies), unless for such day the dwelling unit is rented for a rental which, under the facts and circumstances, is fair rental.
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations with respect to the circumstances under which use of the unit for repairs and annual maintenance will not constitute personal use under this paragraph, except that if the taxpayer is engaged in repair and maintenance on a substantially full time basis for any day, such authority shall not allow the Secretary to treat a dwelling unit as being used for personal use by the taxpayer on such day merely because other individuals who are on the premises on such day are not so engaged.
(3)Rental to family member, etc., for use as principal residence
(A)In general
A taxpayer shall not be treated as using a dwelling unit for personal purposes by reason of a rental arrangement for any period if for such period such dwelling unit is rented, at a fair rental, to any person for use as such person’s principal residence.
(B)Special rules for rental to person having interest in unit
(i)Rental must be pursuant to shared equity financing agreement
Subparagraph (A) shall apply to a rental to a person who has an interest in the dwelling unit only if such rental is pursuant to a shared equity financing agreement.
(ii)Determination of fair rental
In the case of a rental pursuant to a shared equity financing agreement, fair rental shall be determined as of the time the agreement is entered into and by taking into account the occupant’s qualified ownership interest.
(C)Shared equity financing agreement
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “shared equity financing agreement” means an agreement under which—
(i)2 or more persons acquire qualified ownership interests in a dwelling unit, and
(ii)the person (or persons) holding 1 or more of such interests—
(I)is entitled to occupy the dwelling unit for use as a principal residence, and
(II)is required to pay rent to 1 or more other persons holding qualified ownership interests in the dwelling unit.
(D)Qualified ownership interest
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “qualified ownership interest” means an undivided interest for more than 50 years in the entire dwelling unit and appurtenant land being acquired in the transaction to which the shared equity financing agreement relates.
(4)Rental of principal residence
(A)In general
For purposes of applying subsection (c)(5) to deductions allocable to a qualified rental period, a taxpayer shall not be considered to have used a dwelling unit for personal purposes for any day during the taxable year which occurs before or after a qualified rental period described in subparagraph (B)(i), or before a qualified rental period described in subparagraph (B)(ii), if with respect to such day such unit constitutes the principal residence (within the meaning of section 121) of the taxpayer.
(B)Qualified rental period
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “qualified rental period” means a consecutive period of— (i)
(ii)less than 12 months which begins in such taxable year and at the end of which such dwelling unit is sold or exchanged, and
for which such unit is rented, or is held for rental, at a fair rental.
(e)Expenses attributable to rental
(1)In general
In any case where a taxpayer who is an individual or an S corporation uses a dwelling unit for personal purposes on any day during the taxable year (whether or not he is treated under this section as using such unit as a residence), the amount deductible under this chapter with respect to expenses attributable to the rental of the unit (or portion thereof) for the taxable year shall not exceed an amount which bears the same relationship to such expenses as the number of days during each year that the unit (or portion thereof) is rented at a fair rental bears to the total number of days during such year that the unit (or portion thereof) is used.
(2)Exception for deductions otherwise allowable
This subsection shall not apply with respect to deductions which would be allowable under this chapter for the taxable year whether or not such unit (or portion thereof) was rented.
(f)Definitions and special rules
(1)Dwelling unit defined
For purposes of this section
(A) In general
(B)Exception
The term “dwelling unit” does not include that portion of a unit which is used exclusively as a hotel, motel, inn, or similar establishment.
(2)Personal use by shareholders of S corporation
In the case of an S corporation, subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (d)(2) shall be applied by substituting “any shareholder of the S corporation” for “the taxpayer” each place it appears.
(3)Coordination with section 183
If subsection (a) applies with respect to any dwelling unit (or portion thereof) for the taxable year—
(A)section 183 (relating to activities not engaged in for profit) shall not apply to such unit (or portion thereof) for such year, but
(B)such year shall be taken into account as a taxable year for purposes of applying subsection (d) of section 183 (relating to 5-year presumption).
(4)Coordination with section 162(a)(2)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to disallow any deduction allowable under section 162(a)(2) (or any deduction which meets the tests of section 162(a)(2) but is allowable under another provision of this title) by reason of the taxpayer’s being away from home in the pursuit of a trade or business (other than the trade or business of renting dwelling units).
(g)Special rule for certain rental use
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or section 183, if a dwelling unit is used during the taxable year by the taxpayer as a residence and such dwelling unit is actually rented for less than 15 days during the taxable year, then—
(1)no deduction otherwise allowable under this chapter because of the rental use of such dwelling unit shall be allowed, and
(2)the income derived from such use for the taxable year shall not be included in the gross income of such taxpayer under section 61.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The date of enactment of the Tax Reduction and Simplification Act of 1977, referred to in subsec. (c)(4)(B), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 95–30, 91 Stat. 126, which was May 23, 1977.
Amendments
1997—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 105–34, § 932(a), inserted at end “For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term ‘principal place of business’ includes a place of business which is used by the taxpayer for the administrative or management activities of any trade or business of the taxpayer if there is no other fixed location of such trade or business where the taxpayer conducts substantial administrative or management activities of such trade or business.” Subsec. (d)(4)(A). Pub. L. 105–34, § 312(d)(1), substituted “section 121” for “section 1034”. 1996—Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1704(t)(39), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “the principal place of business for any trade or business of the taxpayer.” Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1113(a), substituted “inventory or product samples” for “inventory”. 1988—Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 100–647 inserted “(or rental activity)” after “trade or business” in subpar. (B)(ii) and inserted at end “Any amount taken into account for any taxable year under the preceding sentence shall be subject to the limitation of the 1st sentence of this paragraph whether or not the dwelling unit is used as a residence during such taxable year.” 1986—Subsec. (c)(5)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 143(c), added subpar. (B) and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: “the deductions allocable to such use which are allowable under this chapter for the taxable year whether or not such unit (or portion thereof) was so used.” Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 99–514, § 143(b), added par. (6). 1982—Subsecs. (a), (e)(1). Pub. L. 97–354, § 5(a)(26)(A), (B), substituted “an S corporation” for “an electing small business corporation”. Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 97–354, § 5(a)(26)(C), substituted “shareholders of S corporation” for “electing small business corporation” in subsec. heading, substituted “an S corporation” for “an electing small business corporation” and “any shareholder of the S corporation” for “any shareholder of the electing small business corporation”. Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 97–216 struck out “, etc.” after “section 162(a)(2)” in heading, struck out “(A) In general.—” before “Nothing in this section”, and struck out subpar. (B) which directed the Secretary to prescribe amounts deductible (without substantiation) pursuant to last sentence of section 162(a) and that no other provisions of this title could permit such a deduction for any taxable year of amounts in excess of the amounts determined to be appropriate under the circumstances. 1981—Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 97–119, § 113(c), substituted “the principal place of business for any trade or business of the taxpayer” for “as the taxpayer’s principal place of business”. Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 97–119, § 113(d), inserted in provision following subpar. (C) “, except that if the taxpayer is engaged in repair and maintenance on a substantially full time basis for any day, such authority shall not allow the Secretary to treat a dwelling unit as being used for personal use by the taxpayer on such day merely because other individuals who are on the premises on such day are not so engaged”. Subsec. (d)(3), (4). Pub. L. 97–119, § 113(a), added par. (3), redesignated former par. (3) as (4) and struck out “to a person other than a member of the family (as defined in section 267(c)(4)) of the taxpayer” after “such unit is rented” in subpar. (B). Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 97–119, § 113(b)(1), added par. (4). 1978—Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 95–600 added par. (3). 1977—Subsec. (c)(4), (5). Pub. L. 95–30 added par. (4), redesignated former par. (4) as (5) and substituted “paragraph (1), (2), or (4)” for “paragraph (1) or (2)” in introductory provisions.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1997 AmendmentAmendment by section 312(d)(1) of Pub. L. 105–34 applicable to sales and exchanges after
May 6, 1997, with certain exceptions, see section 312(d) of Pub. L. 105–34, set out as a note under section 121 of this title. Pub. L. 105–34, title IX, § 932(b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 881, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1998.”
Effective Date
of 1996 Amendment Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1113(b), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1759, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995.”
Effective Date
of 1988 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1986 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, see section 151(a) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Effective Date
s of 1982 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 97–354 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1982, see section 6(a) of Pub. L. 97–354, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 1361 of this title. Amendment by Pub. L. 97–216 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1981, see section 215(d) of Pub. L. 97–216, set out as a note under section 162 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1981 Amendment Pub. L. 97–119, title I, § 113(e), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1642, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1975, except that in the case of taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1975, and before
January 1, 1980, the amendment made by this section shall apply only to taxable years for which, on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 1981], the making of a refund, or the assessment of a deficiency, was not barred by law or any rule of law.”
Effective Date
of 1978 Amendment Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 701(h)(2), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2904, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in section 280A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954], as such provision was added to such Code by section 601(a) of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 [Pub. L. 94–455, title VI, § 601(a), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1569].”
Effective Date
of 1977 Amendment Pub. L. 95–30, title III, § 306(c), May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 153, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1975.”
Effective Date
Pub. L. 94–455, title VI, § 601(c), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1572, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [enacting this section and amending the analysis of sections preceding section 261 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1975.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
26 U.S.C. § 280A
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110