Claiming Office Equipment after Moving to Working from Home during COVID

Maxofdad on 08/07/2020 - 20:07

Hi guys, I work as a family therapist, doing face to face sessions with families/spouses/kids etc.
In mid March, my office 'shut down' and we had to do sessions at home via video and phone etc…
I'm wondering if anyone could confirm how much I can claim on my tax return as far as office equipment goes.
eg: I had to get my computer upgraded with a new SSD and some ram for it to be able to do video calls and log into work server from home etc. I also purchased a monitor with a built in webcam. I also had to use my mobile phone at home and home internet.

Can I claim any of these things as part of my tax return?
If so, do I just claim the 4 months I've been working from home? eg 4 months is approx 33% of 12 months so therefore I could claim 33% of these expenses as work related? Or do I have to dive down and be more specific eg 8 hours of the day and days per week etc..

Thanks for any help, much appreciated.

Financial

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 08/07/2020 - 20:33
    +1

    Depends how much they all cost in total for the pc build,if <$300 claim all at once - see ato website.

  • Porker on 08/07/2020 - 21:01

    I think also depends on if you're claiming the $0.80 per hour or not too, in that if you're doing that method then you can't add additional home expenses (including office furniture) to the list.

    I could be wrong though, but best to speak to an accountant as you don't want to be using the line 'OZB said it was okay' should the ATO come knocking on your door.

  • toniyellow on 08/07/2020 - 21:18

    https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/income-and-deductions/ded…
    has some detail e.g.

    If you use the tools for both work and private purposes you will need to apportion the amount you claim. If you have a computer that you use for private purposes for half of the time you can only deduct 50% of the cost

    If you use items for both personal and work-related purposes you need to keep records, such as a diary to show the purpose of use of the item. So that, if requested, you can show how you apportioned the amount of personal and work-related use.

    also
    https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Income-and-deductions/Ded…

    Best to read ATO website details in full, or get an accountant if you are unsure.

    The amount you get back isn't huge. It's nice to have, and definitely do it. But keep proper records and don't take any risks for a small amount of money, the fines would be far worse than any gain.

  • Donaldhump on 08/07/2020 - 21:29

    anything under $300 can claim as you bought for the ability to work from home

    phone claim a percentage you think is correct i.e. 25%

    then just claim the 52c per hour previous rule for elec/heating.

    • poormansfriedchicken on 19/07/2020 - 14:35

      $300 per item or $300 total for multiple (2) items? can i claim desk for work purposes??

      • Donaldhump on 19/07/2020 - 14:46

        Any item under 300 afaik is claimable

        Yes to the desk, pro rata it personal vs work use. If 100 percent for work claim it if under 300

  • dasher86 on 08/07/2020 - 21:33
    +5

    What did your accountant say when you asked them?

  • mskeggs on 08/07/2020 - 23:18
    +1

    See many past threads.
    Might be easiest in your situation to just claim the 80c an hour.

    • dasher86 on 09/07/2020 - 10:58

      easiest but i actually think the ATO were being cheeky with the short cut method.
      I found that using the fixed rate method led to a greater deduction, well at least for me as i have bought assets under $300 to be used for work. I would assume people would be the same as me.

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