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

midwinter

Some of us still have to commute, as we can't work from home, and are also, in many cases, having to be in contact with the "general public".
We get no cost savings on our commutes, so much more potential exposure to the virus, and then we also see people on Furlough/working from home/getting tax credits/extra benefits.
If you don't need the extra tax credit, why claim it? It's not FREE money. At some point, we are all going to have to pay for the economic costs to our country, because of this pandemic. 

gwiddecommbe

I would previously ride by bike into work so little to no commuting costs. My gas central heating would normally be off during the day too as I would be in work. Similarly I would be using less electricity / water etc so I have noticed a considerable increase in utilities. Therefore don't have in issue with both me and my partner claiming which barely covers the increase in costs to be honest. 

REJP

Not a dilemma.  You are paying more for using your home, electricity, probably more for cooking,
more washing up.
You are entitled to it.  Claim it, you can be surethe amount won't cover your hidden costs.

Pixel_Runner

To the people that are complaining that homeworkers shouldn't claim it; remember this is not a benefit, is a refund of tax that you have paid that would normally have been paid by your work. For example, if you go on the office for 9 hours, who do you think pays for the heating, electricity, tea/coffee, food (if you're lucky), etc. ... The employer.

Now we're being forced to work from home, I would much rather pay £3 return on a bus to the office each day than pay to heat my home for an extra 10 hours, light my home, use my electricity for my laptop, etc. But I can't.

So reducing my tax by ~£1.50 a week seems completely fair (and doesn't cover the extra costs I have had to pay while being forced to work from home).

REJP

The rebate is £6 a week.
That could be your M.OT payment.  Claim it.  No dilemma here. I doubt it will actually cover extra heating, electricity for kettles for tea and coffee, and cooking midday meals, lighting etc.

Shoe_String_Sally

If you claim does this mean you need to complete a self assess tax form or will be asked to complete one in the future?

DennyK

Yes you will have to lodge a claim. I think that Martin posted a link to a dedicated form on the HMRC site: not a full self-assessment return though. 

If you normally fill out a self-assessment return, then I suspect that that is how you’d claim it.

my two penn’orth: I’m fortunate enough to not need it, so I didn’t claim it.  But it’s a really good suggestion about donating the money if you do claim and don’t need it.  Main thing: respect other people’s choices. 

BobbinAlong

Of course you claim it. It's not money back, just paying less in tax. And you will have already spent it. You may have saved on the commute but just look how much it has cost to heat your house all day whilst you work at home, especially during this cold spell. And how much extra have you had to pay for electricity you have used during the day when you would normally have been at work, the power for that laptop, the kettles you have boiled for cuppas that you'd normally have at work? The paltry allowance just doesn't even cover it.

eao

I can see this as a dilemma and think that the first comment 'most ridiculous' is rather hasty and harsh.  I have advised my children and a grandchild to apply for it and I would say that you should apply also.  What you do with the saving is up to you.
I have come across this problem in another form; with the 'winter fuel allowance' I expressed the opinion to a colleague that it should be income related and she told me that she, when she received it, just passed it on to a charity...that gave me pause for thought.

JamoLew

Ballard said:

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. 

Likewise - I may be entitled to it - but I'm sure it can be spent on something/someone who is in more need than I am