The ATO have announced a new “shortcut” method for claiming your working from home expenses as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
For the period 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020, if you were working from home as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, you can now claim a flat rate of 80 cents/hour on your 2020 tax return. This will cover the following:
- Additional electricity usage.
- Decline in value of home office furniture.
- Cleaning
- Phone
- Internet
- Computer consumables (i.e. ink cartridges)
- Stationery
- Decline in value of computer, laptop or similar.
The bundling in of phone, internet, computer consumables, stationery and decline in value of computers is new. There is no requirement to be working from a dedicated home office or study. You must keep a record of the hours worked (e.g. timesheets or a diary).
You are still able to use the normal home office expense rules if you prefer.
GQ Tax 