Hybrid work means keeping track of where you worked: for your employer's office-day policy and, in Australia, for a tax deduction.
Claiming work from home in Australia
The ATO's fixed-rate method lets employees claim 70 cents for every hour worked from home. It covers electricity and gas, internet, phone and stationery. Equipment such as a desk or laptop is claimed separately.
- Keep a record of your actual hours for the whole year, made at the time, such as a timesheet, roster or a log like this one.
- Keep one bill for each type of expense the rate covers, such as one electricity bill and one phone bill.
- You must have extra costs from working at home; you can't use the method if your employer pays them.
Example: 3 days a week at home, 48 weeks, 7.6-hour days
3 × 48 × 7.6 = 1,094.4 hours.
Deduction: 1,094.4 × A$0.70 = about A$766.
To see what a deduction is worth to you, use the Australian income tax calculator.
Hybrid office targets
Many employers ask for a set number of office days, such as 3 in 5 (60%). The tracker counts home and office days for the month, leaving out leave, and tells you how many more office days you need to meet your target.
How to use this calculator
- Choose Home, Office or Leave, then tap days on the calendar. Tap again to clear.
- Use 'Mark empty weekdays' to fill a month quickly, then change the exceptions.
- Set the hours in a home day and your office target.
- Download the log as a CSV to keep with your tax records.
FAQs
Can I claim working from home on my tax?
In Australia, employees can use the fixed-rate method: 70 cents for each hour worked from home, if you keep a record of your hours and a bill for each expense. US employees can't deduct home office costs, and salaried employees in India generally can't either.
Is this log enough for the ATO?
The ATO wants a record of the actual hours you worked from home for the whole year, made at the time. A daily log like this, kept as you go, is the kind of record it asks for.
Where is my log stored?
In this browser only. Nothing is sent to Gleexa. Download a CSV regularly so you don't lose it.
Sources
Results are estimates and aren't financial advice. For decisions about your own money, check with a qualified adviser. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.