Can you write off a work phone if it is under your personal name?

Yes — the phone being in your personal name does not by itself stop a tax deduction. What matters is who is claiming the expense and how much it is used for business.

If you’re self-employed, you can usually deduct the business-use portion of the phone’s cost and service plan. If the phone is used for both business and personal reasons, you should split the deduction based on business use. Depending on the facts, the device may be deducted or depreciated under the normal business-expense rules.

If you’re a W-2 employee, you generally cannot deduct unreimbursed work-phone expenses on your federal return under current rules. If your employer requires you to use your personal phone, the usual solution is an employer reimbursement or allowance.

If your employer gives you a phone stipend or reimbursement, it is often treated as tax-free to the employee when it is properly structured as an accountable reimbursement, while the employer may deduct it as a business expense.

Keep records showing the business-use percentage and the business purpose of the phone. If the phone is partly personal, only the business portion is deductible. Some special rules can apply in specific situations, so it’s worth checking with a tax professional or the IRS guidance for your exact facts.