Problem 9-34 (Algorithmic) (LO. 5)

Melanie is employed full-time as an accountant for a national hardware chain. She also has recently started a private consulting practice, which provides tax advice and financial planning to the general public. For this purpose, she maintains an office in her home. Expenses relating to her home for 2019 are as follows:

Real property taxes	$5,500
Interest on home mortgage	6,600
Operating expenses of home	1,375

Melanie's residence cost $442,000 (excluding land) and has living space of 2,000 square feet, of which 19% (380 square feet) is devoted to business. The office was placed in service in February 2018, and under the Regular Method, Melanie had an unused office in the home deduction of $1,825 for 2018. Assume there is sufficient net income from her consulting practice.

Click here to access the depreciation table to use for this problem. Round your final answer to nearest dollar.

a. What amount can Melanie claim this year for her office in the home deduction under the Regular Method?

b. What is Melanie's office in the home deduction under the Simplified Method?