Your employer won’t pay so that you can purchase a brand new desk, chair, or lamp – however you’ll be able to declare tax reduction on ones you purchase your self. You can too declare reduction on bills used solely for enterprise functions, reminiscent of enterprise cellphone calls, and enterprise parts of fuel and electrical energy. You possibly can both work out the precise price, or declare a flat £6 every week (which leads to £1.20 every week reduction for fundamental charge tax payers).

Workers who’re working from dwelling can request an additional weekly allowance from their employer. That is to cowl the rise in utilities payments, as working remotely means you’re utilizing extra electrical energy, fuel, and water.

The allowance for 2025/26 is £6 per week and is paid tax-free. For those who’re claiming for these bills through a P87 type, you’ll be able to’t additionally request this dwelling working allowance.

You’ll must ask your employer to rearrange this allowance for you. They will refuse, however it’s unlikely (and in the event that they do, you should use the P87 type to assert tax reduction for your self).

Be aware that the gross determine in your payslip received’t change. As a substitute, you’ll pay £6 every week much less tax.

Do it’s essential print issues out? Submit issues? Any prices concerned in regular workplace actions ought to be coated by your employer.

Converse to your boss to search out out what you’ll be able to expense every month. No matter you purchase should be completely for enterprise use, however when you’re utilizing supplies or – for instance – a piece cell phone, this ought to be paid by the corporate.

Maintain all of your receipts – and when you’re paid hourly, bear in mind to incorporate the time spent purchasing for provides and posting gadgets.

For those who frequently must order and use gadgets for enterprise functions, reminiscent of stationery, it may very well be value asking for entry to a enterprise account to buy immediately from and have despatched to your property, relatively than shopping for your self and ready to reclaim bills.

In addition to claiming working from dwelling allowances and bills, you’ll be able to at all times do extra to save cash whereas distant working.

Switching vitality suppliers, for instance, may prevent a whole lot of kilos every year. Keep in mind to additionally think about switching different suppliers, reminiscent of broadband and residential insurance coverage, to maintain premiums down and long-term financial savings up!

You may additionally:

Placed on additional layers

A jumper may very well be all you want – as a substitute of turning the thermostat up! Earlier than you flip your heating up, check out what you’re carrying. For those who may add socks, a jumper, or an additional layer, this might save you a large number over the course of a month or yr.

Contemplate a heated blanket

In colder months, when you’re the one individual working from dwelling through the day, think about getting a heated throw or heated hoodie. These will preserve you toasty heat with out the operating prices of central heating all day.

Solely boil what you want

Working from dwelling means the kettle turns into a welcome distraction. Tea breaks can shake up the monotony of Zoom calls and spreadsheets! As a substitute of boiling a full kettle every time, solely boil the water you want. It saves important vitality over time.

Swap off on the wall

Once you’re executed for the working day, shut your laptop down – after which change it off on the wall. The identical goes for any home equipment you’re not utilizing – it saves quite a lot of vitality over a brief house of time!

Contemplate a water meter

For those who reside alone or with a associate, you may additionally think about requesting a water meter. These aren’t appropriate for bigger properties or households, as it really works out costly – however for {couples} and single folks, it saves a whole lot of kilos per yr. (An actual-life instance: this author paid £42 a month for a non-metered provide – and now pays £38 1 / 4, saving £352 a yr!).

Pasta, potatoes, even flour – it’s less expensive to purchase these in bulk the place you’ll be able to.

For those who don’t have the house for sacks of potatoes, don’t fret. Work out what you employ essentially the most in your cooking and discover the biggest packets or buy-one-get-one-free offers. It is also value getting a wholesaler or commerce membership to a store like Costco – even higher when you can share with a pal or member of the family to benefit from bulk purchase reductions collectively.

When you’ve executed your weekly store, benefit from these bulk elements – and batch prepare dinner. Even when you’ve obtained a tiny (or no) freezer, batch cooking means you’ll be able to put together 4 or 5 parts on the identical time and pop them in your fridge for the subsequent few days.

Many people with health club memberships select one close to work, so we are able to go earlier than or after the working day, and even in our lunch break. Once you make money working from home, you won’t have one in strolling distance – and getting within the automotive or the bus to go the health club is yet one more impediment (and price) to beat to steer your self to train.

What else are you saving on when you’re working from dwelling? For those who commute by automotive, your gas bills will drop. Prepare commuters received’t should pay for his or her fare, both.

You may also save on issues like garments, in case your workplace has a strict gown code. You’re not carrying fits and shirts at dwelling – everyone knows you’re in your favorite three units of joggers and sweatshirts (as a result of we try this, too!).

You’re additionally not shopping for a espresso in your method to work every morning, or paying for a Meal Deal every single day at lunch.