If you have not been able to go to work because of COVID, you can claim tax relief for working from home and get some extra cash.
In this blog-vlog I will explain:
- How the tax relief works for employees working at home
- Who qualifies and how you can check
- How you claim and how much it’s worth
From 6 April 2020, the amount employers have been able to pay tax-free without employees having to provide evidence of an increased bill is up to £6 a week. Employees who have not received the working from home expenses payment direct from their employer can apply to receive the tax relief from HMRC.
HMRC received more than 3 million claims for the tax relief for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.
The tax office, aka HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is accepting tax relief claims for working from home due to coronavirus during 2021 to 2022. More than 800,000 employed workers have already claimed and are getting that extra money.
Do you qualify for working from home relief and how you can check
If you are an employed worker and were told to work at home by your employer because of coronavirus and, as a result, your household costs have increased, you are eligible to claim the tax relief.
The process is quick and easy to claim via HMRC’s online portal.
How to check for eligibility for working from home
Taxpayers can check if they are eligible on GOV.UK. The process is quick and easy to do online. Firstly, check if you’re eligible and apply at GOV.UK by searching ‘working from home tax relief’.
How to claim the tax relief
You can apply directly via a dedicated free online government portal. Once approved, the online portal will adjust you tax code for the 2021 to 2022 tax year. They will receive the tax relief directly through their salary until March 2022.
If you are in the self-assessment system, then claim via your tax return.
If you were required to work from home last year but did not claim for the tax relief, HMRC will accept backdated claims for up to 4 years. That’s an extra £500 that’s free! You will receive a lump sum payment for any successful backdated claims.
If you are a basic rate taxpayer you save £62 per annum, if you are a higher rate taxpayer then that increases to £125! For those in Scotland the savings are slightly higher, but then so are the tax rates.
Conclusion
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