Martin Lewis: Working from home due to coronavirus? Claim £6/week tax back on extra costs 2 April 2020 at 1:46PM edited 2 April 2020 at 1:47PM in Martin's Blogs & Appearances & MoneySavingExpert in the News 346 replies 36.2K views

MSE_Eesha

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Martin Lewis: Working from home due to coronavirus? Claim £6/week tax back on extra costs

Please click 'post reply' to discuss below.

unforeseen

Doesn't mention anywhere that you are not going to see any of it until you put a p87 in at the end of the tax year

Dazed_and_C0nfused

And isn't it tax relief on £6/week not £6/week tax back?

Which would save most people £1.20 in tax not £6

mjgreaves

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

And isn't it tax relief on £6/week not £6/week tax back?

Which would save most people £1.20 in tax not £6

I'd be interested in more clarity - I work from home usually and have the standard rate on my tax code annually now - but it equates to £216 / year (I'm 20% tax payer) so assuming this is because it is tax relief?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

The expenses of £216 will mean you don't pay tax on £216 of your pay.

Tax at 20% on that £216 would be £43.20.

myuserid

Like many, I'm new to claiming expenses for working at home, so have a few queries for anyone with a better understanding.

1. I found the wording a little unclear in the blog post, so is it really the case that those with more generous employers (who are, frankly, less likely to be in need) can get £6/week, whereas everyone else can only get £1.20/week via a P87?
2. Can the weeks at home due to COVID-19 prior to 6th April 2020 be claimed at a future date, together and in one go with the weeks/months after that date? or do the weeks prior have to be claimed now, i.e. at the end of this tax year?
3. For those weeks prior is there any difference in how they are claimed? e.g. the sort of information asked for, the need for receipts, etc.

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help answer these questions.

prowla

As I read it, it's £1.20/wk (or £2.40 if you're on higher rate tax).

It's going on my Tax Return, that's for sure!

glider3560

Does anyone know which section of the tax return it should be included in?  It's only a few pounds each week, but might as well claim since I'll be filling in the form anyway.

OldChestnut

During this unusual time, please consider the cost savings on fuel or fares, that coffee or sandwich you are making and don't claim this small allowance. Leave it where it as a d allow it to be used by the NHS perhaps. The government is already providing unprecedented assistance, this allowance applies to normal times.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

It's near the end of the Employment page(s).

AgentOso1

I wonder if 2 people living at the same address can claim it?