Tax benefits for home workers

Slater17

Hi,
I am looking for some advice regarding tax benefits for home workers. I have read various threads on the forums for people who claim tax benefits for running a business from home but I am a home worker who is employed by a city centre company and I am not sure as to what I can / can't claim for?

Most of my expenses in terms of business phone, laptop costs etc. are covered directly by my employer but I am conscious that I am using considerably more energy costs at home than I would do compared to being in an office all day.

I know that there are some perks in the sense that my travel costs are minimised but if I am entitled to tax relief or benefit in any way then I would like to claim for it.

From what I can see going forward in 2012-2013 there is a standard £18 per month that I can claim against heating/fuel bills. this doesn't seem very much considering that I am now at home most of the day and my consumption will go up a lot, especially my gas bill which covers my heating system.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

dundeediva

Hi Slater,

For the benefit side of it you'll need to tell us averga ehours worked and your income, whether you have kids or a partner etc.

For tax relief maybe put another post in the cutting tax boards? Not sure but think they would be better to ask for that side of things

pmlindyloo

I have found this link http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/relief-household.htm which might be useful.

From my reading it seems to suggest that you can claim £18 per month maximum for energy bills but your employer can also contribute towards these.

Not my area of expertise though.

No idea of whether you are being paid more to allow for your extra energy costs than if you worked in the office.

Of course you are right that you are making a saving on travel costs. Don't know whether this balances things out.

As this is a moneysaving site you could try only heating the room you work in during the day (that's what we do)and run like mad to go to the loo or make a cup of tea! Good excuse not to do any housework until the heating goes on in the evening!