Rising energy costs and the need to INCREASE TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FROM HOME

Chowdene

The standard tax relief is £6/week for WFH. I am permanently based at home and my energy bills (alone) have definitely increased by more than £6/week following the price hikes. It's probably costing me more like £2/day now, and that's despite being very conservative with heating (I use a low watt electric rad in the the bedroom I use as an office). I believe understand you can claim more but you need evidence of the cost increases, and must be able to apportion these extra costs specifically to the fact you are working from home. Has anyone done this and how difficult is it?  Is there any sign that the tax relief may be increased??? I'm much worse off now due to being home based!

Chowdene

....and we are not even into winter properly yet!   ....and another price increase on its way!

Thanks in advance for any advice/info.

Jeremy535897

There is no indication that the tax relief will be increased. See:
https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home

If you use the check box, what it says on the final page before entering your details is:

"Claiming tax relief on or after 6 April 2022

You can claim if your employer has not already paid your expenses and you have additional household costs as a result of working from home.

One of the following must also apply:

• there are no appropriate facilities available for you to perform your job on your employer's premises
• the nature of the job requires you to live so far from the employer's premises that it is unreasonable for you to travel to those premises on a daily basis
• you are required, under government restrictions, to work from home

To claim tax relief, you cannot have just chosen to work from home.

Guidance has changed for the new tax year.
You must ensure you meet the rules for claiming, as you may be prosecuted if you deliberately give incorrect or misleading information.

By clicking accept and continue, you are accepting that you meet the rules for the years you are claiming for."

More help here:

https://www.litrg.org.uk/latest-news/news/220629-how-working-home-tax-rules-can-help-your-energy-costs

Andy_L

What has your employer said?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Chowdene said:

The standard tax relief is £6/week for WFH. I am permanently based at home and my energy bills (alone) have definitely increased by more than £6/week following the price hikes. It's probably costing me more like £2/day now, and that's despite being very conservative with heating (I use a low watt electric rad in the the bedroom I use as an office). I believe understand you can claim more but you need evidence of the cost increases, and must be able to apportion these extra costs specifically to the fact you are working from home. Has anyone done this and how difficult is it?  Is there any sign that the tax relief may be increased??? I'm much worse off now due to being home based!

Tax relief is only £1.20 or £2.40/week for most people, not £6.

The simplest option is to arrange with your employer to work at their premises.  Or if that's not feasible ask them to pay £6/week.

That way you actually get £6, not £1.20 or £2.40.

DullGreyGuy

Chowdene said:

The standard tax relief is £6/week for WFH. I am permanently based at home and my energy bills (alone) have definitely increased by more than £6/week following the price hikes. It's probably costing me more like £2/day now, and that's despite being very conservative with heating (I use a low watt electric rad in the the bedroom I use as an office). I believe understand you can claim more but you need evidence of the cost increases, and must be able to apportion these extra costs specifically to the fact you are working from home. Has anyone done this and how difficult is it?  Is there any sign that the tax relief may be increased??? I'm much worse off now due to being home based!

Do you have the option to go into the office?

Maybe time for a discussion with your employer about either salary or WFH  or looking for another job with either better pay or offices you can go to.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

going in to office may incur travelling and meal costs though.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

going in to office may incur travelling and meal costs though.

Hence sucking up an increase in the cost of WFH may be the pragmatic thing to do.

kinger101

Wetherspoons is warm, and most are open during office hours.  And well beyond if you're a "workaholic".

razord

Chowdene said:

The standard tax relief is £6/week for WFH. I am permanently based at home and my energy bills (alone) have definitely increased by more than £6/week following the price hikes. It's probably costing me more like £2/day now, and that's despite being very conservative with heating (I use a low watt electric rad in the the bedroom I use as an office). I believe understand you can claim more but you need evidence of the cost increases, and must be able to apportion these extra costs specifically to the fact you are working from home. Has anyone done this and how difficult is it?  Is there any sign that the tax relief may be increased??? I'm much worse off now due to being home based!

Are you sure you're even eligible for the tax relief? The vast majority of people won't be anymore.

You must have to work from home for a list of very specific reasons; not just because you've chosen too.

elsien

kinger101 said:

Wetherspoons is warm, and most are open during office hours.  And well beyond if you're a "workaholic".

And you can get endless refills of tea after buying one.  Although on the downside you probably do have to get out of your pyjamas to go there.

As someone who is on a homeworking contract I tend to get slightly baffled by those who complain about the cost of being at home while completely failing to take into account what they’re saving on transport and other costs.