5 March 2014
Household bills as a tax expense
As a tax advisor I am commonly asked if tax relief can be obtained on household expenses when working from home. When the work is performed through a limited company the business is entitled to pay a rent. That rent is taxable income in the individual's hands but a proportion of the energy bills, Council tax and mortgage interest can be claimed as an expense against the rent. The proportion is based on the number of rooms in the house and the time spent working at home. Note the payment of rent may have an implication on the private residence exemption when the house is sold.
