Claiming tax relief for job expenses

Employees working from home may be eligible to claim a tax deduction for certain job-related expenses. If your employer does not cover these costs or allowances, you have the option to claim tax relief directly from HMRC.

You may qualify for tax relief if you are required to work from home. This could apply if your job necessitates living far from the office or if your employer does not have an office. However, tax relief is generally not available if you opt to work from home, even if your employment contract permits it or if your office is occasionally full.

You can claim tax relief for £6 per week (or £26 per month if paid monthly) to cover additional costs associated with working from home, without the need to maintain specific records. The amount of tax relief you receive depends on your highest tax rate. For example, if you pay the basic rate of 20% tax, you will receive £1.20 per week in tax relief (20% of £6). Alternatively, you can claim the actual amount of additional costs incurred, but you must provide evidence to HMRC. HMRC accepts backdated claims for up to four tax years.

You may also be entitled to claim tax relief for using your personal vehicle, whether it is a car, van, motorcycle, or bike. Generally, tax relief is not available for regular commuting to and from your usual workplace. However, the rules are different for temporary workplaces, where such expenses are usually allowable, or if you use your vehicle for other business-related travel. Additionally, you may be able to claim tax relief on equipment purchased for work, such as a laptop, chair, or mobile phone.

Should your employer not cover these expenses or allowances, you can claim tax relief directly from HMRC.