home worker - claim back buiness expenses

d_rok69

Hi

Im not sure if this thread should fall under this category but i guess it is to do with budgeting.

I work from home which i have done for just over one year. I looked at my gas and electric bill and its quite high and i couldn't figure out why until it dawned on me im using more because i work from home.

Ive never been giving any guidance from my employer and they seem to be avoiding this question so i wonder if any one else knows or is in the same situation.

Can I claim back or a percentage back on my gas/electric/broadband and i even read somewhere rent and council tax as i live in a council property.

Thanks for your help

agrinnall

Duplicate thread on Budgeting and Bank Accounts [STRIKE]Cutting Tax[/STRIKE], where I have posted a link to the gov.uk page on working from home expenses.

Bobby_Wader

I work from home for some of the time and claim a fixed cost of £209 (approx) a year as that is the simplest way of doing it.

Undervalued

My accountant called it something like an "establishment charge". He felt it needed to be kept quite modest otherwise you may need lots of evidence to back it up.

Remember your commuting costs will be zero so unless you used to walk or cycle you will get a saving there!

unforeseen

HMRC will allow £18 per month or £4 per week without question or proof. Any higher and they reserve the right to see bills, calculations etc to justify the higher amount.

Doshwaster

unforeseen wrote: »

HMRC will allow £18 per month or £4 per week without question or proof. Any higher and they reserve the right to see bills, calculations etc to justify the higher amount.

That's what I did when working from home. In fact, I might still be claiming it as I may have forgotten to tell HMRC that I was now office based...

It's also worth checking with your employer what working from home expenses you can claim from them. One allowed to to claim for the full cost of my broadband connection and phone line (but not TV package). Another wouldn't pay for anything.

It's worth bearing in mind that while your gas/electric bills may be higher other costs will be lower such as petrol and lunches at work.

SaveMeSomeDosh

Perhaps you're putting the kettle on too much.

You should be grateful you don't have any commuting costs or car repair bills.
Would you rather pay £1.50 a day extra on your utility bills
Or would you rather a £75 a week train fare or £50 a week in petrol?
And think of that hour you save on your morning commute.
And that hour you save on your journey home.

I know what I'd chose.

Doshwaster

Plus that extra time in bed each morning is invaluable.

MovingForwards

You would submit a self assessment to reclaim some of your household bills as a deductable expense.

Just a side note, what does your tenancy say about working from home.

kuratowski

MovingForwards wrote: »

Just a side note, what does your tenancy say about working from home.

And your insurance!