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

norsefox

It's not going to change.  We've had 45p per mile since 2011, and running a car is significantly more expensive now than it was then.  We're going to have massive fiscal drag issues, particularly around Child Benefit losses, and 60% marginal rate...  That's the tip of the iceberg.

Not being able to claim higher WFH relief seems quite fair in that regard, particularly when the cost of travelling for everyone not WFH is increasingly significantly (and this is from someone who could probably claim WFH relief, and frankly, it's the least of our collective issues).

RobM99

...plus WFH means not being packed into a train like a sardine twice a day, scraping ice off the car, standing waiting for a bus in the rain....

Albermarle

elsien said:

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. 

On the other side, companies save money by not having to provide full time office space for everybody, so some extra for increasing employee WFH costs could be appropriate.
Appreciate though that Covid has clouded the issue in some cases, as there might well be office space just sitting unused.

Chowdene

Andy_L said:

What has your employer said?

Nothing. They will just say my role is based from home, and that is what I signed up to (before all the energy price hikes!) 

Chowdene

Andy_L said:

What has your employer said?

They will just say my role is home-based and that's what I signed up to (prior to energy price hikes!!) 

Chowdene

Albermarle said:

elsien said:

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. 

On the other side, companies save money by not having to provide full time office space for everybody, so some extra for increasing employee WFH costs could be appropriate.
Appreciate though that Covid has clouded the issue in some cases, as there might well be office space just sitting unused.

Exactly!  It works out cheaper for them, and that is what my company did even before Covid. They made most people based from home and closed the offices (other than HQ) 

[Deleted User]

Chowdene said:

Andy_L said:

What has your employer said?

Nothing. They will just say my role is based from home, and that is what I signed up to (before all the energy price hikes!) 

Hi,

did you read the contract and agree to it?

Chowdene

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

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.

Wow, you're quite right, I actually thought it was £6 but it's only the tax relief on £6...so £1.20!  Thanks for your comments. We don't get well paid anyway so I think I need to have a discussion with my employer! 

Chowdene

elsien said:

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. 

Not everyone makes a big saving on transport and other costs.... I previously worked in the office which was only 3 miles from my home! 

Chowdene

razord said:

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.

razord said:

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.

Hi, yes I am eligible. I am permanently based at home, not by choice.