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With work-from-home now more common than not, the ATO has kept in place the three calculation options for your work related expenses.
The COVID-19 lockdowns have seen increasing numbers of employees required to work from home increasing their household expenditure. In recognition of this, Taxpayers are able to claim a personal tax deduction for the costs incurred while working from home.
What can I claim?
You may claim the following expenses when you work from home:
- electricity expenses for heating, cooling and lighting from the area which you are working and running items for work
- cleaning costs of your dedicated work area
- partial phone and internet expenses
- computer consumables and stationary, i.e. printer paper and ink
- home office equipment such as computers, printers, phones, furniture and furnishings of either full cost of items up to $300, or a decline in value for items over $300.
What can’t I claim?
You will not be able to claim the following expenses if you are working from home due to COVID-19:
- Occupancy expenses such as mortgage interest, rent and rates
- General household items such as coffee, milk, tea
Note that for some of the items you can claim, you are required to have a dedicated work from home area. Generally, if you work at home and do not have a dedicated work area, you will not be entitled to claim running expenses or it will be at minimal.
How can I calculate my expenses?
There are three methods you can use: The shortcut method, the fixed rate method or the actual cost method.
The Shortcut Method
The Shortcut Method has been recently introduced to help simplify tracking and calculating deductions for those that have been working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic. With this method, you can claim your expenses starting from 1 March 2020 until at least 30 June 2020. This period may be extended depending on when work patterns will return to normal.
With the Shortcut Method, you can claim a deduction of 80 cents for each hour you work from home as long as you meet the following requirements:
- you are working from home to fulfill your employment duties
- you are incurring additional deductible running expenses as a result of working from home
With this method, a dedicated work area is not required as the shortcut method covers all deductible running expenses.
However, you will not be able to claim a further deduction on your additional running expenses.
To claim with the Shortcut Method, you will need to keep a record of how many hours you have worked from home which can be tracked using either time sheets or a diary.
The Fixed Rate Method
With the Fixed Rate Method, you can claim a deduction of 52 cents for each hour you work from home instead of tracking down every single expense for heating, cooling, lighting, cleaning and decline of furniture.
With phone and internet, computer consumables and stationary expenses, you will need to separate the work related portion from the actual costs. This also applies for any decline in value on computers or other equipment.
Keeping a spreadsheet with expenses per month and copies of your bills will make it easier and less stressful when tax time comes around.
The Actual Expenses Method
If you have a dedicated work area at home, such as a study or home office, you can claim additional running costs and decline in value of furniture used for your work.
In order to claim actual expenses, you will need to:
- Keep a record of number of actual hours you work from home during the income year
- Keep a diary for a representative four-week period to show your usual work from home pattern
- work out the decline in value of depreciating assets, the percentage of the year you used those for work and keep the appropriate receipts
- work out the cost of your cleaning expenses and the appropriate proportion for your work area
- work out the cost of your heating, cooling and lighting by working out the cost per unit of power used for work
You will also have to take into account if any household members use the home office and, if so, apportion your expenses accordingly.
Again, keeping a good record and all bills/receipts will make processing your claims hassles free when when doing your taxes.
So, whether this is a one time thing only or something you decide works longer-term, knowing your options for claiming deductibles means that you can apply the best method for your situation.
If you require help with your work from home deductions for this coming financial year, and/or you are not sure which is the most suitable method for you, contact with your Adviser or reach out to CIB for advice.
