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Money Moral Dilemma: Should I claim working-from-home tax relief?

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

Like many, I've been working from home since the start of the pandemic, and I'm saving money as I no longer have commuting costs. One of my colleagues told me about Martin's blog on claiming a year's worth of tax relief if you're working from home, but they said they won't be claiming it as they're saving money by working from home. I'm entitled to claim the tax relief, but should I given all the taxpayers' money being used to support people?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value.

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Comments

  • JCS1
    JCS1 Posts: 5,331 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    As a money saving site, why is this even a discussion or moral dilemma? 
  • _nate
    _nate Posts: 100 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Take it but then send me the cash you save if you have that much to spare.
  • This isn't some kind of government scheme to help the needy... it's a small tax relief available to any & all who've worked from home. Do you imagine MPs and their business cronies have any scruples about taking tax breaks? No. And for once, they are in the right - because everyone's default position should be to pay the minimum amount of tax they are required to pay. If you really feel you haven't deserved the extra couple of quid per work, donate it to a foodbank or an NHS partner charity, where it will surely be put to better use than it would be in the government coffers. 
  • JReacher1
    JReacher1 Posts: 4,654 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    The amount you get is quite insignificant. Not really sure it’s worth the hassle to claim unless you do genuinely need the money. 
  • Many assume you get physical money in your bank, you don’t it’s tax relief so your tax code changes. It barely feels like a benefit at all 
  • If you are entitled to it and have a cluded up Employer then why not try for it. I'm a creature of habit I've a tv over 10+ years still does the job, I've kitchen goods older then when I moved in - I only spent 3 months away from a physical work place before being demanded back in 2020, from home working whether the commute was twice as long because no one else really used the roads so ideal to start working on them because the nation were at home, right!? , snow; ice; driven it all in times to reach a destination beyond whatever room in my home; people who are meant to be more experienced in showing you how to do a job but never have time, the job you don't know you are being interviewed for when you told collections is being automated as you sit down to interview which turns out just a fabrication, having friends who have managed to be careful not to rub in the home working luxury afforded to them, last year 2 weeks holiday whilst in work (though in the end wasn't going to decline compensation which turned out guilt money in part so I ended up with a clear conscience but I wouldn't know it if it wasn't for the fact it jumped out on me) - never been on furlough but I have wished for it at times - I work a job where people are on hard time can expect a better household item if available to them so yes no matter who you are in the world and whether you should take it on the chin why should you, if entitled yes apply and accept.
  • Thrugelmir
    Thrugelmir Posts: 89,546 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Perhaps Martin should be asked for his view.  
  • Ballard
    Ballard Posts: 2,944 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I am entitled to claim this and if I was in financial strife I’d claim it without a second thought but I’m very comfortable and am already £50 better off a week as I’m not commuting. Each to their own but I don’t think that people in my position should claim it. 
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