[Trev]

Anyone know if homework’s are entitled to any kind of tax rebate on their gas, electric or other utility bills?

My job role changed a couple of months ago and I get to work from home full time. Although this saves me a few quid on the daily commute my monthly utility bills have gone through the roof. A friend thought they'd heard of some kind of rebate for full-time employees who work from their own home. I've asked my employer to look into this for me however I keep getting the run-around.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me?

Also, if I am entitled to a utility bill tax reduction, does the employer subsidise this or the government?

[Little Buzz]

I would have thought you could claim a proportion of your utility bills against tax if you work from home. You would need to do a tax return.

Your employer might choose to contribute, but I can't imagine they'd want to cover if going 'through the roof' - I didn't even notice when I worked from home, it was only an energy saving light bulb in winter and the odd go on the kettle, plus a radiator in one room when it was cold. I used to claim business phone calls on my expenses form.

[cgksheff]

Have you read these?

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/bulletins/tb79.pdf

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...iefs/DG_078386

[Trev]

thanks

sounds like a lot of paper work for very little in return. H&M do a good job at making things difficult for us.

it's the electric bill which has mainly increased. for work purposes i have at least two computers often running 24hrs a day. i have several monitors, a printer, scanner, office voip phone, router and a few other bits a pieces.

[zooburner]

Why not drop in at your local Tax office, i have always found them very helpful !

[dongle]

get your accountant to make an allowance for part of your home used as an office i think i claim around £500 per year for this.

[Dark Moomin]

Originally Posted by dongle

get your accountant to make an allowance for part of your home used as an office i think i claim around £500 per year for this.

Does this only work if you HAVE to work from home rather than choosing to?

My OH works half the week from home, but that is a choice because home is Sheffield and work is Teesside so saves a horrid commute!

[holidayhutch]

I beleive you are allowed £144 a year room costs and then so much per year for utilities, our accountant sorts that side of it out for us.

[espadrille]

You can claim £2 per week as an allowance against your tax.

[cgksheff]

Originally Posted by espadrille

You can claim £2 per week as an allowance against your tax.

It now a flat rate of £3 per week.

You can claim for higher actuals if you think it is worth the hassle of documenting it.

[dongle]

i have been claiming for using part of my home as an office for the past 15 years,i think its upto your accountant to say what he believes is a fair amount,it may be worth speaking to one to make sure that you are claiming for everything that you can,i used to claim for laundry expenses when i was provided with a company uniform

[Trev]

thanks for the feed back guys.
think i'll have a word with accounts and hopefully they can sort it out for me.
if i have to do all the paper work/chasing then i probably wont bother... not worth the as its hardly a big saving.