It's expected millions who have left their offices will be able to claim the 80 cents per hour tax deduction for each hour of home work during the COVID-19 crisis - but will they choose the old or new tax method?
Now the tax office is giving home workers a shortcut to claim deductions at a flat 80 cents per hour rate.
The new shortcut method includes internet costs, cleaning bills, stationery, phone costs and other expenses.
The tax office states employees can't claim a deduction for items that their workplace has provided. And staff cannot claim items for which they have already been reimbursed.
The 80 cents per hour rate applies to extra costs but it is also possible to claim under the previous fixed rate method of 52 cents an hour for heating, cooling, lighting and a decline in office furniture value.
Tax-payers can also choose to claim a work-related portion of all running expenses and calculate that amount on a reasonable basis.
