Working from home tax claim

If you do not receive compensation from your employer you can still claim tax relief for some expenses that result from home working. HMRC will usually allow you to claim tax relief if you use your own money for things that you must buy for your job and you only use these items for work. You must make a claim within 4 years of the end of the tax year that you spent the money.

For example, if you use your own uniforms, work clothing and tools for work. It is possible to claim for the cost of repairing or replacing small tools you need to do your job as an employee (for example, scissors or an electric drill), or cleaning, repairing or replacing specialist clothing (for example, a uniform or safety boots). A claim for valid purchases can be made against receipts or as a 'flat rate deduction'. However, you cannot make a claim for relief for the initial cost of buying small tools or work clothing.

You may also be able to claim tax relief for using your own vehicle, be it a car, van, motorcycle or bike. As a general rule, there is no tax relief for ordinary commuting to and from your work. The rules are different for temporary workplaces where the expense is usually allowable and if you use your own vehicle to do other business related mileage.

Note, that if you have agreed with your employer to work at home voluntarily, or you choose to work at home, you cannot claim tax relief on the bills you have to pay.