Business Phone or Residential Phone laws (credit card, pay, deducting, advertising)

[Georgie05]

Hello~

I am going into business for myself next month and I am looking into a business line. I was wondering if anyone has a home based business, but uses a residential line. I understand it is cheaper to go with the residential line and I did read that you do not have to use a "business" service line. I can simply add residential lines to my existing services. That the IRS does not allow any deductions for the first phone line into the home, but if you use additional lines for business, these can be deducted. I want to do things the right way - but if I can save a few $$ in the beginning, that would be great.

Thx for your help.......Georgie

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by Georgie05

Hello~

I am going into business for myself next month and I am looking into a business line. I was wondering if anyone has a home based business, but uses a residential line. I understand it is cheaper to go with the residential line and I did read that you do not have to use a "business" service line. I can simply add residential lines to my existing services. That the IRS does not allow any deductions for the first phone line into the home, but if you use additional lines for business, these can be deducted. I want to do things the right way - but if I can save a few $$ in the beginning, that would be great.

Thx for your help.......Georgie

The IRS will never know. I have three numbers ring in on my residential line, they are all used in advertising. I was audited in 05/06 and had no problems, they just looked at the bottom line on the phone bill. My INTERNET is in there too.

[StoneOne]

I have only one cell phone number (no landline) for both personal and business use. I deduct the difference between the rate that I would get for just personal use (700 minutes a month) and the rate that I pay because I need it for business calls as well (1400 minutes per month). That difference is $20 a month. I'm also deducting the $30 I spend each month on data services with my cell phone. I'll probably be including my home internet as well, as that really is mostly for business use.

[sammy the bull]

I have a small buisiness with a partner, the partner is leaving to start her own buisiness, the phone number is listed as our company name and she has a new company name, the phone line is a buisiness account but she holds the account. can she take the phone number or do I have any rights to keep the number

[Rapture]

I have an 800 number for my home business and then I also use Magic Jack. The 800 number can be set up to forward to your cell if you're not in the office. I pay for both of them with my company credit card. The 800 number is around $10.00 per month and I think Magic Jack is $30-$40 for the year.

[harry chickpea]

Business line upcharging dates back to when that listing in the Yellow Pages was all important. If you don't need the listing, then get a residential line.