Employees working from home

On 07 April 2020, ATO issued QC 62090 that employees working from home due to the COVID19 can claim a tax deduction under a “shortcut method”, i.e. 80 cents per hour.

The Shortcut Method is more generous than the existing Home Office Deduction Method QC31977, i.e. 52 cents per hour. It covers internet costs, phone costs, computer consumables, electricity and gas expenses.

It is essential that you keep a record of hours you worked at home, for example, timesheets or diary notes.