Since April, almost 800,000 employees who have been working from home during the pandemic, have already claimed tax relief on household related costs, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.

HMRC said the saving is worth up to £125 per year for each employee, and eligible workers can claim the full year's entitlement if they have been told to work from home by their employer, even if it has been for one day during the tax year.

Employees who have either returned to working in an office since early April or are preparing for their return can still claim the working from home tax relief and benefit from the full year's relief for 2021/22.

HMRC said it is quick and easy to claim via their online portal. 

Since April last year, the maximum amount employers have been able to pay tax-free without employees having to provide evidence of an increased bill was set at £6 a week. Employees who have not received the working from home expenses payment direct from their employer can apply directly themselves and receive the full tax relief that is due.

Once their application has been approved, their tax code will be automatically adjusted for the 2021/22 tax year, receiving the tax relief directly through their salary.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said: "More people are getting back to office working now, but it's not too late to apply for tax relief on household expenses if they've been working from home during the pandemic.

"It's quick and easy to check if you're eligible and apply online - go to GOV.UK and search 'working from home tax relief'."

He added that if employees were required to work from home in the 2020/21 tax year but did not claim for the tax relief, they have not missed out; HMRC will accept backdated claims for up to four years. They will receive a lump sum payment for any successful backdated claims.