ATO - New Working From Home Shortcut

The ATO has announced a new arrangement that allows those that are working from home, to claim 80 cents per hour for their running expenses. If you are sharing your house with others, all individuals can claim this rate separately.

Example:

Bianca is an employee who works as a copy writer and editor. Bianca starts working from home on 16 March as a result of COVID-19 and replaces her face-to-face meetings with online video conferencing.

Bianca has just bought a new laptop, desk, chair and stationery. She also wants to claim some additional gas, electricity, phone and internet costs due to working from home.

Under the shortcut method, Bianca can now claim all her expenses under a rate of 80 cents per hour. All she needs is her timesheets.

Bianca can also decide to claim using existing working from home calculations. Under that method, Bianca can claim the desk, chair, gas and electricity under the 52 cents per hour, but would need to work out the decline in value of the laptop, and calculate the work-related portion of the laptop, stationery, phone and internet.

Source/for more info: https://www.ato.gov.au/Media-centre/Media-releases/New-working-from-home-shortcut/