Use of home as office

Produced by a Tolley Personal Tax expert
Personal Tax
Guidance

Use of home as office

Produced by a Tolley Personal Tax expert
Personal Tax
Guidance
imgtext

Many people work from home either on an informal or a full-time basis. These people can be employed or self-employed, and their employment status affects the expenses they can claim as a deduction from their earnings.

When dealing with someone working from home, it is important to note that although exclusive business use of part of the house may mean that it is possible to claim tax relief for more of the household expenses, it will restrict capital gains tax (CGT) relief on the sale of the house. This is discussed further in the Principal private residence relief ― anti avoidance guidance note.

Normally, there will be no liability to business rates if the room(s) used for the business is also used domestically. If a significant proportion of the property is used exclusively, or almost exclusively, for business, then business rates may be payable. The council tax banding on the remainder of the property may also need adjustment. For more on business rates, see the GOV.UK website.

Self-employed

The general rule for allowing revenue

Continue reading the full document
To gain access to additional expert tax guidance, workflow tools, generative tax AI, and tax research, register for a free trial of Tolley+™
Powered by Tolley+
  • 25 Mar 2026 11:50

Popular Articles

Income tax losses ― overview

Income tax losses ― overviewIncome tax losses can arise due to a number of reasons, but not all losses can be relieved against total income and some losses can only be set against certain types of component income. The table below is a summary of the main reliefs for income tax losses.Summary of

04 Mar 2021 12:19 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more

Fuel-related payments / mileage payments

Fuel-related payments / mileage paymentsIntroductionMost employers will make payments to employees in relation to business travel. Among the most common payments in relation to business travel are fuel and mileage payments. If an employer does not reimburse these amounts, then the employee will be

14 Jul 2020 11:46 | Produced by Tolley in association with Philip Rutherford Read more Read more

Non-business expenses

Non-business expensesIntroductionIn order for an expense to be tax deductible it must be incurred because of an employee’s employment. Any non-business related expense is, therefore, not relievable except in some very particular circumstances.This guidance note deals with three separate issues. The

14 Jul 2020 12:16 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more