2019-20 Self Assessment Questions

stevebrickman

Evening all.
I am currently muddling through the latest self assessment form, and have a couple of quick questions if that is ok.
 
1/ Can I claim for home working in the 19-20 tax year?? My employer insisted we home work from the begining of March last year (Covid) - so a couple of weeks prior to the end of the financial year.  The process for claiming for the 20-21 tax year is well documented. I'm just wondering if I can claim anything for last year?
2/ I bought a desk & chair to support my home working. I didnt claim this back from my employer. Can I claim tax relief from this - and what would I need to do? 
3/ I am a member of my workplace pension scheme. In addition to this, I invested a lump sum into a Vanguard SIPP during 2019/20. I believe this entitles me to some additional tax relief. Does anyone know where or I would record this on the self assessment?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

1.  If this was due to Covid-19 then yes.  You can claim £4/week for 4-5 weeks depending on exactly when you started working from home.
2.  Highly unlikely.  If they were necessary your employer would presumably have supplied them.
3.  It may reduce your tax liability.  There is a section on the main part of the return for it (pension relief).

stevebrickman

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

1.  If this was due to Covid-19 then yes.  You can claim £4/week for 4-5 weeks depending on exactly when you started working from home.
2.  Highly unlikely.  If they were necessary your employer would presumably have supplied them.
3.  It may reduce your tax liability.  There is a section on the main part of the return for it (pension relief).

Great - thanks, appreciate the response.

stevebrickman

One other thing... i'm struggling to get an accurate amount of interest paid by Nationwide. I switched 'out' of the account within the tax year, but I was definately accumulating small amounts of interest per month. I raised a request via their site for a letter declaring interest paid - the letter they sent back displayed an error rather than a monetary amount (!). Its going to be piddly... likely around £20 for the year at an absolute max. 
Rather than understating - would it be acceptable to significatly round up (ie £50) on the declaration and caveat within the return? 

bluffer

if you bank online with nationwide there is a section on the (low) left hand side that tells you all the interest for any accounts you had in 19-20.

for the pension payments remember you put your GROSS payment.  look at the help section to show you the proper calc.

stevebrickman

bluffer said:

if you bank online with nationwide there is a section on the (low) left hand side that tells you all the interest for any accounts you had in 19-20.

for the pension payments remember you put your GROSS payment.  look at the help section to show you the proper calc.

Thanks bluffer.
I can see the section you refer to on the Nationwide website. I (probably like many) had both a current account and a regular saver. The section you reference contains the interest i earned on the regular saver, but there isnt anything for the current account!
Cheers for the tip re. the pension section.

macman

Why would you declare £50 in interest if you are sure the maximum was £20? That ain't moneysaving...

Jeremy535897

It won't matter if the figure is within the savings allowance, but HMRC can check the figures from bank information. Banks should provide an annual certificate of interest.

stevebrickman

macman said:

Why would you declare £50 in interest if you are sure the maximum was £20? That ain't moneysaving...

Agree... but at this point a few days prior to the deadline I would rather over state and pay a little extra in tax than under state, get picked up on it by hmrc, and then have a fine. But ultimately that’s why I have posted- to get an opinion from others.

macman

Are you over the £1K savings interest allowance?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

macman said:

Are you over the £1K savings interest allowance?

Even if the income falls within the savings nil rate band (aka Personal Savings Allowance) it can in some situations add to the overall tax liability.
Not going to make must difference on these amounts but it can make a difference.