Claiming tax on equipment for WFH

[Psycho Sonny]

This is a very good point. I've worked from home for nearly 20 years and never bothered claiming anything back as I'm saving money on transport and so on. I also prefer choosing what I buy to make WFH more comfortable: I'm very sure work would never have paid for stuff like an Aeron, 32 inch monitor, decent mech keyboard etc.

You certainly don't need a 32 inch monitor or a mechanical keyboard never mind a decent one for work.

In fact if anything I'd hate to be in an office full of mechanical keyboards to the point I'd demand they replace them all with membrane or allow me to work from home.

 

[Psycho Sonny]

I would be inclined to think if it is exclusively for work then it is claimable, but haven't looked beyond the following on HMRC:


https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/buying-other-equipment
Buying other equipment
In most cases you can claim tax relief on the full cost of substantial equipment, for example a computer, you have to buy to do your work. This is because it qualifies for a type of capital allowance called annual investment allowance.

You cannot claim capital allowances for cars, motorcycles or bicycles you use for work, but you may be able to claim for business mileage and fuel costs.

You claim in a different way for small items that’ll last less than 2 years, such as uniforms and tools.


On that basis my monitor, chair and desk will be going through my return as they are used exclusively for WFH.

Wrong you are allowed to pro rata it if also used for personal use. Also you can claim for a vehicle. As I know a lawyer who put a pick up truck through the books as they were head of the firm and needed it to transport files from one office to the other. It has to be a work type vehicle though and pick ups fall under that. Whereas a golf R wouldn't.

 

[Theophany]

Also you can claim for a vehicle. As I know a lawyer who put a pick up truck through the books as they were head of the firm and needed it to transport files from one office to the other. It has to be a work type vehicle though and pick ups fall under that. Whereas a golf R wouldn't.

The guidance you have quoted very clearly states that it is for employees and the example you have given is somebody who is most likely self-employed.

 

[Pudney]

Wrong. It's £6 per week and it's through self assessment and the guidance is all available online.

It doesn't need to be through self-assessment, it can absolutely be reimbursed by the employer.

 

[peterwalkley]

You certainly don't need a 32 inch monitor or a mechanical keyboard never mind a decent one for work.

In fact if anything I'd hate to be in an office full of mechanical keyboards to the point I'd demand they replace them all with membrane or allow me to work from home.

I can manage without them but writing code is considerably more efficient and comfortable with - and its my house, my money, my gear, my rules. Anyone saying different can bog off.

 

[DanTheMan]

Wrong you are allowed to pro rata it if also used for personal use. Also you can claim for a vehicle. As I know a lawyer who put a pick up truck through the books as they were head of the firm and needed it to transport files from one office to the other. It has to be a work type vehicle though and pick ups fall under that. Whereas a golf R wouldn't.

You're giving advice for self employed or someone in a some pretty unique employment circumstances.

You can claim wfh expenses as an employee in some situations and it can absolutely be done through PAYE with a tax code adjustment. Although it's highly likely to be disallowed unless it is necessary to carry out your duties unless it is for utilities.

 

[One More Solo]

Not the direct topic of the thread but I was shocked how many of my colleagues who already worked at home semi-regularly (at least once per week) had no keyboard, mouse, external monitor etc and were expecting that to be laid on for them now.

 

[Deleted member 68110]

Is it possible to claim tax back whilst WFH on office equipment, such as monitor, chair etc?

My office is currently closed and I have bought myself several items to use whilst working.

I was looking at https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home and it isn't clear but perhaps implies that I can't.

I fill in a self assessment form each year but i'm also in full time employment (paying back child allowance.......)

To be clear, my employer did not purchase the equipment and has not rebated me in anyway for it.

https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/buying-other-equipment

Edit.

What @SpeedFreak said...

I would be inclined to think if it is exclusively for work then it is claimable, but haven't looked beyond the following on HMRC:


https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/buying-other-equipment
Buying other equipment
In most cases you can claim tax relief on the full cost of substantial equipment, for example a computer, you have to buy to do your work. This is because it qualifies for a type of capital allowance called annual investment allowance.

You cannot claim capital allowances for cars, motorcycles or bicycles you use for work, but you may be able to claim for business mileage and fuel costs.

You claim in a different way for small items that’ll last less than 2 years, such as uniforms and tools.


On that basis my monitor, chair and desk will be going through my return as they are used exclusively for WFH.

 

[Nutty_Death]

https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/buying-other-equipment

Edit.

What @SpeedFreak said...

Clicking through the eligibility form finishes on a page with the two paragraphs below.
When I select the buying other equipment option, it then states "you cannot claim tax relief on these expenses" and links out to https://www.gov.uk/capital-allowances/annual-investment-allowance

However AIA seems to be for businesses not necessarily for employed people forced to wfh.

Working from home
This includes the cost of things used only for your work, such as heating and lighting the room you work in, or the cost of business telephone calls. You must keep records of what you've spent.

Buying other equipment
If you must buy substantial equipment to do your work, like a computer, you may be able to claim tax relief on the cost. If you choose to buy the equipment, you cannot claim tax relief.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

I'd willingly take a drop in pay to work from home all the time.