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

bambibear

You should absolutely claim it. If there’s tax relief to be had then you’re entitled. If you owed them money, they’re quick on the case to get it back. There are many of us that aren’t entitled to anything and over the years we’ve paid so much into tax (especially when on a higher income). I would definitely not feel guilty about something you’re legitimately entitled to. As for saving money whilst not commuting, you may be saving on travel but your costs for heating, electricity, potential having to upgrade to better wifi etc will not have gone down. 

rossy28

Don't really get why this is such a dilemma. If you're working from home, your costs have definitely gone up. I'm not saving on commuting, as my husband and I used to travel together in the car to work - he's still going to work, while I'm working from home. You pay VAT on your gas/electricity bills, and I know for definite my bills have gone up, so in actual fact, even claiming the tax relief, I'm paying more tax through VAT than I'm getting back! 

wendy35

I claimed the measly £6 a month since working from home since November, I am currently out of pocket by £169. I put in an additional claim for that on the R87 online and after two LONG calls to HMRC it appears they can’t find it. How convenient 

RobM99

It's a tax allowance. Yes, claim it. It's yours. £60 for doing almost nothing? Count me in!

Notnewnotold

JamoLew said:

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

So claim it and donate it then. Unless you think the government will do a better job at directing it to where it's needed than you can. I'm a lifelong Tory and even I don't believe that's remotely true.

And to all those saying that their overall costs haven't gone up because they are not paying to commute, remember that you would be paying your commuting costs out of income that you have already been taxed on (with the possible exception of anyone that's got a bike through a tax efficient scheme). So it's not like HMRC haven't had their pound of flesh there, even if you're not spending it right now.

I stand by my original position, that this is a ridiculous 'dilemma' to be debating. Even Martin was urging people to claim it.

sjaeagle5

I find some of the comments here quite sanctimonious.
It's not a lot of money.  It's not a "loophole."  It's not even a "hassle," and is quite straightforward to apply for (it takes about 2 minutes).  Your tax code will change and any backdated entitlement is automatically calculated.
Yes, at some point the government is no doubt going to have to recoup once this pandemic is over, but this will be aimed at ALL tax payers, so why not take advantage of this small entitlement as we are ALL going to have to pay more later anyway.  Just because you didn't claim this entitlement, that is not going to make you exempt from any future tax rises.
If you live on your own, you would claim the 25% discount on council tax, wouldn't you?  So why would you not claim this entitlement?  I only knew about this entitlement due to Martin Lewis.  If he says I'm entitled, who am I to argue?!

gloriouslyhappy

People mention saving on commuting costs, but then there are additional costs at home besides the obvious ones like using more electricity and gas - think loo paper, hand soap, and anything office related. Have you upgraded your broadband and or phone plan due to work? Used your printer? Posted anything to the office? Then add on those costs plus ink, papers and stamps. The government wouldn't be offering this if they didn't recognise WFH incurs extra costs, so claim it!

seaside0

I think it is an individual decision. I have claimed, as although i have saved money on travel, i have other costs:  heating, lighting, spending more money on food/drink as beverages/milk etc (these were free at my organisation). I took lunch in and did not snack as much as do at home.  I have also had to purchase a desk, lamp, etc to make it workable.   

JamoLew

I dont understand why its a "dilemma"

You are either entitled to it or not (depending on your working/tax paying status)

Whether you choose to claim it or not is a personal choice which will be influenced by many factors

Whats the next dilemma ? 
" My car is more economical at 56mph, should i drive at this speed on the motorway to save money"

Ashagill

Yesss. I felt the same thing but then I realised I was using my own bog roll, milk and tea bags and electricity and I had to buy more of all that stuff. The tax relief offsets that, probably.