Working from home? How to boost your next tax return

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With the range of technology and software available today, it’s become easier than ever to work from home. Employees can efficiently complete calls using teleconferencing software, many collaboration tools are now cloud-based, and work devices, including laptops and tablets, are light and portable.

If you’ve been working from home, you’ve likely also set up a dedicated work area, and you’re using your own electricity and resources to power your workday. But which of these items can you claim in your next tax return to ensure you maximise your return?

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How many Australians work from home?

Working remotely has become more common as companies began providing the technology to enable employees to work from anywhere. Research from Roy Morgan found that in early-2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic shut down, 32 per cent of Australian workers were working from home. This equates to over 4.3 million people.

It’s easier for employees in certain industries to work from home, such as finance and insurance, public administration and defence, and communications. In contrast, more “hands-on” industries such as retail, manufacturing, transport and storage and agriculture still require staff to be present in-store.

Tax deductions available if you work from home

Home office expenses you may be able to claim include:

• electricity;
• cleaning costs for your dedicated work area;
• phone and internet expenses;
• computer consumables – such as printer paper and ink cartridges;
• stationery; and
• home office equipment – including computers, printers, phones, furniture, and furnishings.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) provides a complete list of the available deductions and how to calculate each on its website.

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How to calculate your home office expenses

There are three methods employees can use to calculate their home office expenses:

• Shortcut method: 80 cents per work hour – only available from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2022
• Fixed-rate method: 52 cents per work hour

• Actual cost method

Be careful with home office expenses

If you include home office expenses in your next tax return, ensure you calculate and apply your deductions correctly. For example, you can claim the full cost of home office equipment up to $300, but you need to claim the decline in value (depreciation) for any items that cost over $300.

Regardless of the method you use to calculate your expenses, you will need to have records. You’ll need to keep receipts for any purchases you’ve made and a record of relevant utilities and bills. You’ll also need to keep a timesheet, roster or diary that shows the hours you’ve worked from home.

If you can, keep your relevant records and receipts aside and updated throughout the year to save yourself a significant administrative workload at tax time.

Have a professional prepare your tax return to maximise your refund

With the range of deductions that may be available to you, plus the different calculation methods for home office expenses, having a registered tax professional prepare your tax return can be worth the investment. Quite often, your maximised refund will more than cover the cost of having a professional prepare your return.

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