One of a number of bills that would potentially benefit small businesses is now floating around Congress in the form of HR 1509, which, if enacted, would allow self-employed home-based business owners to take a standard deduction of $1,500 instead of itemizing home office expenses on their federal income taxes.  Or owners may continue to itemize their expenses, if they prefer to do so.  The bill, introduced in March of this year, is currently stalled in committee (or Congressional purgatory, however you prefer).  (more…)