Claiming for costs for working from home?
Discussion
My wife’s been working from home since March and I’ve just found out how much she’s been paying out of her own pocket for stuff her employer would normally provide. I’m talking in terms of stationery, printer ink, general office supplies etc.
To start with, she didn’t want to rock the boat by asking them for anything as they were laying off left and right, but she’s now had to buy a bigger desk as they have insisted she has to have an extra screen for something.
Can she claim any of these expenses back in any way? Her employer is as tight as they come so asking them is probably a non starter. Hoping she can get it back from HMRC in some way but know nothing about it personally.
To start with, she didn’t want to rock the boat by asking them for anything as they were laying off left and right, but she’s now had to buy a bigger desk as they have insisted she has to have an extra screen for something.
Can she claim any of these expenses back in any way? Her employer is as tight as they come so asking them is probably a non starter. Hoping she can get it back from HMRC in some way but know nothing about it personally.
I don't think there's a requirement for your Employer to provide you with anything in terms of general office supplies (e.g. printer equipment, paper, pens).
In terms of a desk/chair I think they have to provide those on H&S grounds after doing a DSE check or risk assessment
OP - assuming she's kept the receipts she can claim back the income tax paid on the cost of the equipment
https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/workin...
In terms of a desk/chair I think they have to provide those on H&S grounds after doing a DSE check or risk assessment
OP - assuming she's kept the receipts she can claim back the income tax paid on the cost of the equipment
https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/workin...
Elatino1 said:
Countdown said:
I don't think there's a requirement for your Employer to provide you with anything in terms of general office supplies (e.g. printer equipment, paper, pens).
Incorrect, unless She is in fact self employed.Countdown said:
Elatino1 said:
Countdown said:
I don't think there's a requirement for your Employer to provide you with anything in terms of general office supplies (e.g. printer equipment, paper, pens).
Incorrect, unless She is in fact self employed.Alternatively you could dig to find out if an employees is meant to fork out for work materials.
Elatino1 said:
The company should be paying for everything. Hope She's kept the receipts. File an expenses form to the accounts department.
No, not if she hasn't sought/obtained approval first. Would otherwise be a complete free-for-all!In terms of what should be covered by an employer, the DSE side has been covered above and is valid. Beyond this, it comes down to agreement on what is actually needed to do the job, rather than personal preference. Taking the printer ink and paper example, if she has to produce hardcopy documents on behalf of the company then that should be company cost, but if it's just that she prefers to print things out instead of looking at them on screen, then arguably that's discretionary and she could adapt.
She can also claim tax relief on £6.wk if she has to work from home, and the extra costs incurred above this weekly amount (she’ll need evidence such as receipts).
In terms of appeasing your own views on it, it's worth considering how much she may be saving by working from home - travel costs, eating out at lunch, and importantly for most, the actual time she gets back from not travelling. Employees can tend to only view the situation one way.
Scootersp said:
Looks like it's only the tax relief on the £6....
Yes but thats really for the additional expenses incurred when working from home such as heating and lighting. As said elsewhere her employer should be paying for reasonable expenses for the job, equipment especially so. Does depend on how much of a tightarse they are though. Both of mine in 10 years have done so - one was cash strapped startup other is multinational.have 3 people working for me that are European transport planners, they are old fashioned and set in there ways, they have been at home since march and I'm spending a fortune on ink and stationery for them on my company credit card.
They literally print emails out to read rather than on screen, the business (huge global one) don't want people printing at home for security reason and cost but they have worked this way since the cold war nothing will change there minds.
Your wife must be out of pocket as hp ink is costing me circa £50 a month each for my people.
Prices have certainly gone up since march and availability is poor.
We have provided anything they want to take from the office, desk, chairs, screens etc..
Will be glad to get them back in to be fair.
They literally print emails out to read rather than on screen, the business (huge global one) don't want people printing at home for security reason and cost but they have worked this way since the cold war nothing will change there minds.
Your wife must be out of pocket as hp ink is costing me circa £50 a month each for my people.
Prices have certainly gone up since march and availability is poor.
We have provided anything they want to take from the office, desk, chairs, screens etc..
Will be glad to get them back in to be fair.
Has she been forced to work at home by her employer?
If she has, then she can make a tax relief claim for any employment related costs she has had to pay from her own pocket.
Obviously, as has been mentioned above, if she has had to buy essential work related materials in order to do her job, her employer should be willing to pay for this or, in reality, provide her with these materials from their own stocks.
If they are refusing this claim (which is awfully mean of them) then she can make the tax relief claim I mentioned above.
It is important to note that an employee CANNOT make any sort of tax relief claims for these types of costs if they have CHOSEN to work from home.
If she has, then she can make a tax relief claim for any employment related costs she has had to pay from her own pocket.
Obviously, as has been mentioned above, if she has had to buy essential work related materials in order to do her job, her employer should be willing to pay for this or, in reality, provide her with these materials from their own stocks.
If they are refusing this claim (which is awfully mean of them) then she can make the tax relief claim I mentioned above.
It is important to note that an employee CANNOT make any sort of tax relief claims for these types of costs if they have CHOSEN to work from home.
No - because you confirmed that the expenditure incurred by you was not "necessary" for you to be able to perform your duties of employment.
The legal description of allowability for the claiming of expenses for employees is set out as follows -
the costs must have been incurred "wholly, exclusively and necessarily for the purpose of the duties as an employee".
The legal description of allowability for the claiming of expenses for employees is set out as follows -
the costs must have been incurred "wholly, exclusively and necessarily for the purpose of the duties as an employee".
Stuart70 said:
Really?
Buying a fit for purpose desk and chair in order to work productively, when required to work from home, is an allowable expense.
The fact that there is a dining room table and chair does not preclude the need to buy appropriate furnishings for work.
Are the revenue going to come round and point at the dining room table and reject the tax return? Get a grip.
Sorry if I gave you the answer you didn't want. I was just quoting what the legislation says.Buying a fit for purpose desk and chair in order to work productively, when required to work from home, is an allowable expense.
The fact that there is a dining room table and chair does not preclude the need to buy appropriate furnishings for work.
Are the revenue going to come round and point at the dining room table and reject the tax return? Get a grip.
In theory, you can claim what you want. You will be wrong to do so of course and you may have to repay any tax you consequently underpaid, together with penalties and interest. But the chance of HMRC finding out are quite slim so it's up to you whether you want to chance your arm and take the risk.
The ability of employees to claim expenses for tax purposes are quite restricted and the tests for validity are much tougher than for somebody running a bona fide business.
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