If you’re an employee who works from home and has been claiming tax relief for extra household costs, a big change is coming. HMRC is removing the process that lets employees claim an Income Tax deduction for non-reimbursed additional homeworking expenses from April 2026.

In plain English: if you pay the extra costs yourself (heating, electricity, etc.), you won’t be able to claim the relief directly from HMRC in the same way once the new rules apply. This matters for anyone still relying on the flat-rate homeworking claim or submitting claims for actual additional costs.

So what should you do now?

1. Check your employer’s policy. The change is aimed at employee claims, but employers can still reimburse homeworking expenses where the rules allow. If your employer already pays a homeworking allowance, confirm whether it will continue and how it will be treated through payroll.
2. Get organised before April 2026. If you’re eligible to claim for the current period, make sure your paperwork and submissions are up to date (especially if you’re claiming actual additional costs rather than a flat rate).
3. Self-employed? Different rules. This change is about employees. Sole traders and landlords still need to track costs properly anyway — and from 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax starts for many people with qualifying income over £50,000, meaning digital records and quarterly updates.

The takeaway: if working from home is part of your normal routine, 2026 is the year to review your setup — and make sure you’re not leaving money (or compliance) on the table.