Working from home - claiming tax relief??

Greebo · 8 Oct 2015 at 20:28

LOAM said:
Do not do this, you could become liable for capital gains tax if you sold the property. We started our practice from here and worked full time but not from any specific room. Our accountant simply stated we worked around the house wherever. We did this for about 18 months and I ran about 10% of the household costs as expenses under advice from the accountant.

Myth. It was always a grey arrear and accountants advised against it. As I said already the hmrc confirmed in June 2008 dedicating a room to working from home will NOT make it subject to capital gains tax.

And the revenue hate people claiming for working in every room and will quite often disallow any claims for costs as you don't have a dedicated room for work.

Though in your case it seems more like you were running a business from your home and presume ably had customers and business people round to your house? That's different

Pudney · 8 Oct 2015 at 20:42

Greebo said:
Myth. It was always a grey arrear and accountants advised against it. As I said already the hmrc confirmed in June 2008 dedicating a room to working from home will NOT make it subject to capital gains tax.

And the revenue hate people claiming for working in every room and will quite often disallow any claims for costs as you don't have a dedicated room for work.

Though in your case it seems more like you were running a business from your home and presume ably had customers and business people round to your house? That's different

What's your source for this?

I assume it's this http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cgmanual/CG64663.htm

I'd be careful stating your point so categorically.

Greebo · 8 Oct 2015 at 21:19

Pudney said:
What's your source for this?

I assume it's this http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cgmanual/CG64663.htm

I'd be careful stating your point so categorically.

That will teach me for not been up to date. Looks like hmrc have changed their minds again and a room dedicated to work may incur capital gains when you sell.

Sorry for stating facts as it was true, and I should have checked before posting.

Anyway. Good advice and links here

http://taxaid.org.uk/guides/informa...-employed/self-employed/use-of-home-as-office

peterwalkley · 8 Oct 2015 at 22:47

I have worked from home for over 10 years and never bothered claiming anything as I reckoned the money and time I am saving by not travelling to my employer's premises more than covers the extra bit of electric and heating I use.

As greebo pointed out, it has always been a grey area and hmrc keep moving the goalposts.

For the OP, the biggest cost is likely phone bills, so a dedicated land line or mobile for work should really be covered by the employer.

rubberduck · 9 Oct 2015 at 02:27

I sometimes check work email account from home. Gimme tax back!