Q: Can I use my family car as a business vehicle and deduct certain expenses?

A. Yes, if, for instance, 10,000 of your family car's 20,000 miles per year is for taking your stock photos, you will get a deduction of 50% of all family car costs. The advantage: you may depreciate 50% of the family's car purchase prices as well as deduct 50% of insurance, tires, gas and oil, repairs, upkeep, etc.

Q: For tax purposes, does it make a difference what kind of vehicle I drive?

A. If used 100% for business the maximum for a business vehicle in 2002 is $3,060.00. The maximum allowed for a "truck" in 2002 is $24,000.00. Many stock photographers use a truck in their work. The IRS defines a "truck" as a vehicle built on a truck chassis with a gross weight over 6,000 pounds. If you own a SUV, it'll probably qualify.

Q: Does the IRS allow a deduction for commuting from my downtown studio to home and back?

A. No, but if you have your stock photography business at home, take advantage of the updated home-office deductions. You can have an office elsewhere and still deduct costs for the area of your home used exclusively and regularly for your business. The IRS allows a deduction for getting from one workplace to another. If you work in your home office where you perform tasks (filing, research, scanning, phoning, emails, billing, etc.) and then drive to your other office you are now driving "from one workplace to another." You've increased your business miles and the amount of your auto deduction.