Can I claim a tax refund for an office chair WFH?

MaineCoonCat

Hi all,

Does anyone know if and if so how it's possible to claim some tax relief for an office chair for working 100% from home please?

MaineCoonCat

also can I buy from eBay and claim back the tax, or just a proper company please

Mark_d

If you are a sole trader contracted to work for another company, then I believe you could claim the tax relief.  However if you are an employee then there are only very limited tax benefits you can claim, and only in very specific circumstances.

MaineCoonCat

Mark_d said:

If you are a sole trader contracted to work for another company, then I believe you could claim the tax relief.  However if you are an employee then there are only very limited tax benefits you can claim, and only in very specific circumstances.

thanks, I am a PAYE standard employee, but have to do a self assesement. (i've not done one before but will soon be doing my first self assessment)

Grumpy_chap

MaineCoonCat said:

Hi all,

Does anyone know if and if so how it's possible to claim some tax relief for an office chair for working 100% from home please?

MaineCoonCat said:

also can I buy from eBay and claim back the tax, or just a proper company please

MaineCoonCat said:

thanks, I am a PAYE standard employee, but have to do a self assesement. (i've not done one before but will soon be doing my first self assessment)

As an employee, the tax threshold would be that the expense is wholly, exclusively and necessarily for work to allow you to perform your duties.

Where that threshold is met, the first approach would be that the employer should meet the cost / provide the equipment directly.
Have you asked your employer whether they will provide the necessary chair?
The employer may require that you provide a DSE (display screen equipment) assessment that evidences the need.

If you meet the "wholly, exclusively and necessarily" threshold but the employer will not fund the chair then you may be able to claim tax relief.  It does not matter where the chair is purchased, but you should obtain a receipt / evidence of the expense.

Depending upon the reasons for WFH, you may be able to claim the standard allowance (£6 per week resulting in a tax saving of £1.20 per week for basic rate tax payer).  The eligibility for this claim is now stricter than it was during COVID.
Does you employer make any standard contribution towards WFH costs?  They may suggest that contribution includes the necessary cover for office chair etc.

Why do you need to do your first self assessment tax return?
Remember, the SA return you are preparing now to submit by the end of this month is for tax year 2022-23.
If you buy an office chair now, and are able to claim the expense, the tax relief will be shown in the next tax return for 2023-24.

Marcon

MaineCoonCat said:

Mark_d said:

If you are a sole trader contracted to work for another company, then I believe you could claim the tax relief.  However if you are an employee then there are only very limited tax benefits you can claim, and only in very specific circumstances.

thanks, I am a PAYE standard employee, but have to do a self assesement. (i've not done one before but will soon be doing my first self assessment)

If an office chair is essential for you to WFH, your employer should be paying the whole cost of buying one. Unlikely HMRC will allow tax relief on something an employer does not deem 'essential'.

MaineCoonCat

Grumpy_chap said:

Have you asked your employer whether they will provide the necessary chair?

no, i don't really want to as I want an ergonomic one which is really expensive and don't want to appear troublesome.

Does you employer make any standard contribution towards WFH costs?  They may suggest that contribution includes the necessary cover for office chair etc.

no

Why do you need to do your first self assessment tax return?
Remember, the SA return you are preparing now to submit by the end of this month is for tax year 2022-23.
If you buy an office chair now, and are able to claim the expense, the tax relief will be shown in the next tax return for 2023-24.

I believe I have crossed a certain income threshhold where I need to 

BoGoF

Do you have any choice in the fact you work from home 100% of the time - is there an office within reasonable commuting time?

MaineCoonCat

BoGoF said:

Do you have any choice in the fact you work from home 100% of the time - is there an office within reasonable commuting time?

no there is not

BoGoF

Going back to your answers if your employer would contribute - remember they still have a duty of care for your H&S even if you are working from your own home and if you need specialist equipment they should be providing it. Even if you can claim tax relief then you are only getting a % of the actual outlay back - why should you be out of pocket for equipment your employer should be providing.

Grumpy_chap

MaineCoonCat said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Have you asked your employer whether they will provide the necessary chair?

no, i don't really want to as I want an ergonomic one which is really expensive and don't want to appear troublesome.

Does you employer make any standard contribution towards WFH costs?  They may suggest that contribution includes the necessary cover for office chair etc.

no

Why do you need to do your first self assessment tax return?
Remember, the SA return you are preparing now to submit by the end of this month is for tax year 2022-23.
If you buy an office chair now, and are able to claim the expense, the tax relief will be shown in the next tax return for 2023-24.

I believe I have crossed a certain income threshhold where I need to 

Unless you have income other than the employment, the income thresholds where an SA return becomes necessary are quite high and suggest a certain level of seniority and respect within the business.

An appropriate ergonomic office chair may be within the normal scope of what the business can offer.  There is no reason that you would appear troublesome by asking - it does depend on the manner in which the request is made.  The easiest way to initially broach the subject would be an informal conversation with your Line Manager, in the equivalent of a chat at the coffee machine.
Alternatively, when are the DSE assessments updated for your employer?  If that is soon, then that could give the appropriate cover to create the justification for a chair and the possibility of the business meeting the costs.

I am not sure how much you consider "expensive" for an office chair, but what is expensive to an individual may not be expensive to the company.
In terms of the "wholly, exclusively and necessarily" required, that may not be met if part of the desire is "want" rather than "need".