Working From Home Allowance Calculator | Arvo
Important for employees: From 6 April 2026, employees can no longer claim working from home tax relief directly from HMRC. The 2025/26 tax year is the final year for direct employee claims. Self-employed individuals and company directors are not affected by this change.

Your Details

Enter your tax situation so we can calculate the most beneficial allowance for you.

Calculation Method

Choose the method that best suits your situation. You can switch methods each tax year.

Simplified (Flat Rate)
HMRC flat monthly rate based on hours worked. No receipts required.
Easiest option
Actual Costs
Proportion of real household expenses. Requires bills but often gives a higher claim.
Often larger claim
Include all time working, planning, admin — as long as it's from home.
Hours/monthMonthly rateAnnual total
Under 25Not eligible
25 – 50 hours£10/month£120/year
51 – 100 hours£18/month£216/year
101+ hours£26/month£312/year

Company Director – Working From Home

As a director, you and your company are separate legal entities. There are two main approaches to reclaiming home office costs through the company.

Flat Rate (£6/week)
HMRC's standard rate claimed by the company. Simple, no receipts, no CGT risk.
Most common
Proportional Costs
A rental/licence agreement between you and the company. Higher claim possible but more complex.
Larger claim
Maximum 52. A week counts even if you only work from home part of it.

Annual Company Deduction

£0

Reduces your company's Corporation Tax liability.

Monthly deduction
£0
Corp. tax saved
£0
Method
Flat rate

How to Claim

Record asAllowable business expense in company accounts
Annual amount£312.00
Receipts required?No – flat rate
Formal agreement needed?No

Employee — 2025/26 (Final Year)

Employees can still claim for the 2025/26 tax year — the last year this relief is available directly from HMRC. From 6 April 2026 this route closes.

You must be required, not merely choosing to. Your contract or a letter from your employer should confirm this.

Who Can Claim Working From Home Allowance?

  • Self-employed / sole traders — full flexibility. Can use simplified flat rate or actual costs. Can claim mortgage interest, rent, council tax in proportion.
  • Limited company directors — claim £6/week flat rate through the company, or set up a formal rental/licence agreement for higher amounts.
  • ⚠️
    Employees (2025/26 only) — can still claim £6/week but only if required to work from home. This route closes on 5 April 2026.
  • Employees from 6 April 2026 — direct HMRC claims are no longer available. Any relief must come from employer reimbursements.

HMRC Flat Rates at a Glance (2025/26)

Self-employed — 25 to 50 hrs/month
£10/month (£120/year). No receipts required.
Self-employed — 51 to 100 hrs/month
£18/month (£216/year). No receipts required.
Self-employed — 101+ hrs/month
£26/month (£312/year). No receipts required.
Director / employee — flat rate
£6/week (£312/year). Unchanged since April 2020.

What Costs Can Be Claimed (Actual Costs Method)?

You apportion costs on a "fair and reasonable" basis — typically by the number of usable rooms and the proportion of time the space is used for business.

  • Gas and electricity (heating and lighting)
  • Mortgage interest (self-employed only — not capital repayment)
  • Rent (self-employed only — apportioned by room and time)
  • Council tax (apportioned)
  • Home insurance (apportioned)
  • Broadband and phone — business proportion of usage, claimed separately
  • Mortgage capital repayments
  • Standard broadband contract (only the business-use portion)

Capital Gains Tax Warning

If you claim a room as being used exclusively for business, that portion of your home may lose its Private Residence Relief when you sell. To protect PRR, ensure the room has genuine dual use. HMRC accepts that rooms used for both business and personal purposes retain full CGT relief.

Backdating Claims

You can backdate claims for up to four prior tax years.

2021/22
Claim by 5 April 2026 — act immediately.
2022/23
Claim by 5 April 2027
2023/24
Claim by 5 April 2028
2024/25
Claim by 5 April 2029
2025/26
Claim by 5 April 2030

This calculator is for guidance only and does not constitute tax advice. Figures are based on HMRC rates for the 2025/26 tax year.
Always consult a qualified accountant or tax adviser before submitting a claim. HMRC guidance: gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed