The Australian Taxation Office (‘ATO’) has announced a temporary simplified short cut method to make it easier for individual taxpayers to claim deductions for additional running expenses incurred (e.g., additional heating, cooling and lighting costs), as a result of working from home due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Refer to the ATO’s Media Release of 7 April 2020.
Based on the announcement, the ATO will allow individuals to claim a deduction for all running expenses incurred during the period 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020, based on a rate of 80 cents for each hour an individual carries out genuine work duties from home. This is an alternative method to claiming home running expenses under existing arrangements, which generally require an analysis of specific running expenses incurred and more onerous record-keeping. Expenses included in the short cut method include:
- Electricity expenses associated with heating, cooling and lighting the area at home which is being used for work.
- Cleaning costs for a dedicated work area.
- Phone and internet expenses.
- Computer consumables (e.g., printer paper and ink) and stationery.
- Depreciation of home office furniture and furnishings (e.g., an office desk and a chair).
- Depreciation of home office equipment (e.g., a computer and a printer).
This means that, under the 80 cents per hour method, separate claims cannot be made for any of the above running expenses (including depreciation of work-related furniture and equipment). As a result, using the 80 cents per hour method could result in a claim for running expenses being lower than a claim under existing arrangements (including the existing 52 cents per hour method for certain running expenses).
