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COVID-19: Working from home? Government making it easier to claim expenses

Eligible employees can claim $2 a day, to a maximum of $400
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With so many Canadians still working from home due to the pandemic, the federal government is making some changes to simplify the process to claim expenses.

The changes were announced Tuesday by National Revenue Minister, Diane Lebouthillier.

It means those who worked from home more than 50 per cent of the time over a period of at least four consecutive weeks this year due to COVID will now be able to claim the home office expenses deduction for 2020.

The federal government points out that the use of a shorter qualifying period will ensure that more employees can claim the deduction than would otherwise have been possible under the longstanding practice.

Eligible workers will be able to claim a deduction of $2 a day for each day they worked from home in that period, plus any other days they worked from home in 2020 due to the pandemic, up to a maximum of $400. 

As a result of the change, employees will not have to get Form T2200 or Form T2200S completed and signed by their employer.

"The Government of Canada remains committed to helping Canadians cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by making the home expenses deduction more accessible, and easier to claim. The temporary flat rate method and the new user-friendly calculator will make it easier for more Canadians to claim the deductions and is one more demonstration of the CRA's commitment to ensuring our tax system meets the needs of Canadians." Minister Lebouthillier explained in a news release.

More information can be found by visiting Canada.ca/cra-home-workspace-expenses.