THOSE who are working from home because of the coronavirus pandemic are being urged to apply to HMRC for help towards 'additional expenses'.

HM Revenue and Customers has said it has already received more than 54,800 claims from customers using an online portal launched this month.

Since April 6, employers have been able to pay employees up to £6 a week in tax-free cash to go towards additional costs if they have had to work from home. 

But those who have not received the working from home expenses payment directly from their employer are being urged to apply for a tax relief from HMRC.

Today urging people to apply, HMRC said the portal had simplified the process for workers who have been told to work from home by their employer due to Covid.

What you can get

Eligible taxpayers can claim tax relief based on the rate at which they pay tax.

For example, if an employed worker pays the 20 per cent basic rate of tax and claims tax relief on £6 a week, they would receive £1.20 a week in tax relief (20 per cent of £6 a week) towards the cost of their household bills.

Higher rate taxpayers would therefore receive £2.40 a week (40 per cent of £6 a week). Over the course of the year, this could mean taxpayers can reduce the tax they pay by £62.40 or £124.80 respectively.

Once the application has been approved, the online portal will adjust an individual’s tax code for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.

The employee will receive the tax relief directly through their salary and will continue to receive the adjustment until March 2021.

'We want everyone to get the money they are entitled to'

Karl Khan, Interim Director General of Customer Services at HMRC, said: “We want everyone to get the money that they are entitled to, so we’ve made the online service as easy to use as we can – it takes just a few minutes to make a claim.”

HMRC said it is also reminding employed workers, for example healthcare workers and care home staff, that they can also claim tax relief on work-related expenses, including cleaning their work uniforms.

Employees who clean, replace or repair uniform or tools, or pay fees and subscriptions for their work can apply online directly to HMRC and see instantly if they are eligible for tax relief on work expenses.

Here's how you can apply for help with home working 

HMRC is encouraging customers claiming tax relief for working from home to apply directly via www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home.

Agents will not be able to use the new service to apply for the relief on a customer’s behalf. This means customers will receive 100 per cent of the tax relief that is due.