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Cost of Living: Irish workers missing out on claiming little-known boost worth hundreds

Thousands of Irish workers are missing out on claiming Working From Home Tax Relief, which could mean losing out on hundreds of euro here's how to claim 30% back on electricity, heating and internet costs

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Working from home can also raise the cost of your energy bills, but by claiming working from home tax credits, you can make some savings on these rising costs

Annual figures reveal that thousands of people are failing to claim tax reliefs, meaning you could be missing out on hundreds if not thousands of euro.

One particular relief is the Working From Home Tax Relief, which permits you to reclaim 30% of electricity, heating and internet expenses for the days you work remotely.

Applying for tax relief is straightforward - here's what you need to know.

• Working from home is alternatively referred to as remote working or e-working. If you operate from home for significant periods, whether full-time or part-time, you may be eligible to claim tax relief on the additional expenses, including electricity, heating and broadband.
• You can submit your application for the tax relief following the conclusion of the tax year or while the year is ongoing. If you make your claim during the year, you can receive real-time credits and have your tax burden reduced throughout the year.
• To be eligible, you must have an arrangement with your employer to work remotely, be obliged to carry out substantive duties at home and be required to work for considerable periods from home.
• Remote working entails operating for significant periods from home, accessing a work computer system remotely, transmitting and receiving email, data or files remotely and creating ideas, products and services remotely, reports RSVP Live.
• You cannot claim tax relief if you simply take work home from the office beyond normal working hours, for instance during evenings or at weekends. You can claim relief on the following: from 2022, 30% of electricity, heating and internet costs and for 2021, 30% of internet costs and 10% of electricity and heating costs.
• To work out the total costs eligible for tax relief, combine your electricity, heating and internet expenses, then multiply the overall figure by the number of days worked from home, divide by 365 (or 366 for a leap year) and multiply by 30% (0.3).
• Tax relief can be claimed online via Revenue's myAccount service. For 2026, you have the option to claim tax relief throughout the year or once the year has concluded. Claiming during the year entitles you to real-time credits.
• To submit a claim for a previous year, complete an online income tax return as outlined below:
• Sign into myAccount.
• Click on 'Review your tax' link in PAYE Services.
• Select the Income Tax return for the relevant tax year.
• In the 'Tax Credits and Reliefs' page (Page 4 of 5) select the 'Your job' tab. Select 'Remote Working Relief' and insert the amount of expense at the 'Amount Claimed' section..
• You must be in a position to account for every expense you intend to claim. This requires maintaining a record of all relevant receipts and bills.

For more details, click here.

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