WORK FROM HOME CALCULATOR

Work out how much you can claim for running your business from home. We calculate both HMRC methods side by side and show the workings, so you can use the higher figure on your Self Assessment return.

Your home

Count main rooms only: bedrooms, living rooms, dining room, kitchen. Leave out bathrooms, hallways, landings and the garden.

Total main rooms

Rooms used for work

Months worked from homein this tax year

Your time

Typical week. Example: 7 hours a day, 5 days a week at a desk in the spare room is 35 hours.

Weekly hours working from home

hrs

Weekly personal use of those roomsEnter 0 if used only for work

hrs

Annual household costs

Whole-house bills for the year. These are split by the share of rooms and time used for work.

Heating / gas

Electricity

Council tax

Mortgage interest or rent interest only, not capital repayments

Water rates

Home insurance

General repairs & maintenance whole-house work only

Phone & broadband

Claimed on business use, not floor space. You can add this under either method.

Annual phone & broadband

Business use

Your tax band Used to estimate the tax saving (England, Wales & NI income tax + Class 4 NIC)

Your claim for the year

Higher claim Actual costs £0 Reasonable apportionment

Higher claim Simplified flat rate £0

Estimated tax saving£0

Show workings

Want us to check your claim?

PMA Accountants prepares Self Assessment returns for sole traders and partners. Send us your workings and we'll make sure you're claiming everything you're entitled to.

Email hello@pmaaccountants.co.uk or call 0203 189 1736

Get in touch

The two methods

Actual costs: each bill × rooms used ÷ total rooms × work hours ÷ total hours those rooms are used.
Simplified: a monthly flat rate based on hours worked at home. It covers heat, light and power only, so council tax and mortgage interest can't be added on top.
Use one method per business for the year. Phone and broadband business use can go on top of either.

Simplified monthly rates

25–50 hrs £10
51–100 hrs £18
101+ hrs £26

Fewer than 25 hours in a month earns nothing for that month. Monthly hours here are weekly hours × 52 ÷ 12.

Employees and directors

This calculator is for sole traders and partners. From 6 April 2026, employees can no longer claim tax relief from HMRC for unreimbursed home working costs. Employers can still pay up to £6 a week tax-free. Limited company directors should speak to us about a use-of-home arrangement with their company.

Keep your records

Keep the bills behind every figure and a copy of these workings. HMRC can ask how you reached the number, and the method should be reasonable and applied consistently from year to year.

Figures are an estimate for guidance only and use the rates in force for 2026/27. Scottish taxpayers have different income tax bands, so the saving shown will differ. This tool does not store or send any of the information you enter. It is not tax advice; speak to PMA Accountants before relying on it for your return.