I am a virtual worker, telecommuter, whatever you want to call it, for a large company that I do not own. Can I take a home-office deduction as if I were self-employed for the part of my apartment that I use exclusively for my office space?

It's possible, but it's likely to send up an audit flag. This deduction gets abused by a lot of people, so the IRS is likely to ask questions. You will need a letter from your employer stating that you work from home for their convenience. If you work from home merely because it's convenient, you don't qualify. You would then need to rigorously document your home office expenses, and make sure it is used 100% as your office (i.e. no TV in there, the kids or significant other don't ever use your computer, etc). If it's a shared space you don't qualify. Here's a link to the IRS web site, which in turn has a link to Pub 587, "Business Use of your Home." It should answer your questions:

Home Office Deduction (http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108138,00.html)

I wouldn't do it. I've been running a side biz out of my home for 20 years and have never taken the deduction. The amount you gain is very small and the potential risks of audit is just not worth it.

I am a virtual worker, telecommuter, whatever you want to call it, for a large company that I do not own. Can I take a home-office deduction as if I were self-employed for the part of my apartment that I use exclusively for my office space?
You cannot deduct home office expenses unless your employer authorizes you to utilize a part of your home for his business purposes and not reimbursed. As you described this is unlikely and no deduction is available.

I tend to agree with Delite and Ebaines. The home office deduction is REAL HARD to justify if you are an employee.

However, if you are running a business, then it is much easier to justify, but you must use the office EXCLUSIVELY for the business.