With huge numbers of office workers still working at home due to the coronavirus, many people may not be aware that they can claim expenses for costs they may incur.
If your employer is requiring you to work from home, then you may be able to claim for increased costs. Because this may involve various things, such as extra heating and lighting costs, electricity usage and telephone calls, there is a set rate of £6 a week (from 6 April 2020) which can be claimed as tax relief, meaning £1.20 a week for basic rate taxpayers, or £2.40 a week for higher rate taxpayers.
It is important to note that it is not the case if the employee has volunteered to work from home. Once offices start to open again only employees with a formal working from home arrangement will be able to claim and only for the days they actually are required to work from home if on a flexible arrangement.
Relief for home office expenses
HMRC have set out guidance as to what expenses employers can pay employees while they are working at home due to the coronavirus.
Under normal rules, employers reimbursing employees for buying office equipment would be taxable and result in the employee receiving a tax bill. However, on 13 May the government announced that between 16 March 2020 – 5 April 2021 there will be a temporary tax exemption and NIC disregard where the employer reimburses an employee for the costs of home office equipment.
Telephone calls
If you’re provided with a mobile phone by your employer then this will not be taxable. If you are using your own telephone, mobile or landline, then you can claim tax relief for the cost of business calls but not any rental element.
Broadband and office equipment
If you already pay for broadband at home, then you cannot claim any additional expenses. If you do not have broadband but you now need it to work from home, then the broadband fee can be reimbursed by your employer and is non-taxable. Any private use must be limited. These rules also apply for any office equipment.
Claiming tax relief
If your employer does not reimburse all allowable costs, then you can still claim tax relief for the allowable expenses. If you are a basic rate taxpayer, you can claim 20p for every £1 of allowable expenses incurred but not reimbursed. For higher rate taxpayers this is 40p for every £1.
You can claim this on your annual self-assessment return. If you are not registered for self-assessment, you can use the P87 form for expenses of up to £2,500. For claims over £2,500 you will have to register for self-assessment. You must remember to retain receipts and calculations as evidence to support the claims made.
For help and advice on employee expenses during the coronavirus, contact us by email or on 01295 250401.
