People Who Worked From Home During Pandemic Could Get £125

If you've been working from home at any point since the pandemic began, you might be able to claim up to £125 in tax relief.

The money is offered to help out with the costs incurred by working from home - such as paying higher bills or forking out for home working essentials.

The scheme will pay out for a whole year of tax relief - amounting to either £62 or £125 - even if you only worked from home for one day during the pandemic.

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However, to claim you must have been told to work from home by your employer, as those who voluntarily chose to work from home aren't eligible.

HMRC told Money Saving Expert: "We recognise that the working-from-home situation is very fluid this year, so we're accepting claims for the full year's expenses.

"That includes even if people have only worked from home for some of the year, to avoid needing to contact us if you have to work from home again."

The scheme works by allowing people to claim a tax relief on £6 a week - according to the HMRC website: "You'll get tax relief based on the rate at which you pay tax.

"For example, if you pay the 20 percent basic rate of tax and claim tax relief on £6 a week you would get £1.20 per week in tax relief (20 percent of £6)."

And you don't need to send off any evidence or proof of the costs you've incurred to apply; you just have to have been working from home, under orders from your boss.

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It doesn't take long to apply, but you'll need your Government Gateway user ID or set one, as well as your National Insurance number and a recent pay slip.

There's also another way to claim back expenses you've picked up by working from home, which involves employers giving workers up to £6 a week to cover 'additional costs', amounting to £26 a month.

The HMRC website states: "From 6 April 2020 your employer can pay you up to £6 a week (£26 a month) to cover your additional costs if you have to work from home.

"For previous tax years the rate is £4 a week (£18 a month).

"You will not need to keep any records."

However, you can't apply for both schemes.

To find out more, or apply, click here.

Topics: UK News, Coronavirus

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19