I worked from home for my employer during covid, as well as for a self-employed position. How do I claim employment expenses- the detailed method, vs flat rate?

Its dependant on whether you will receive a bigger benefit from the detailed method over the flat rate, as well as the complexity of your expenses; the flat rate is much simpler to report.

Flat rate method

If you worked for more than 50% of the time from home for a period of at least 4 consecutive weeks in the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, you can claim $2 for each day you worked from home during that period. The maximum amount that can be claimed is $400 per individual in 2020 and $500 per individual in 2021 and in 2022.

The Detailed Method

A tool you can use here: Calculator for the detailed method

With the detailed method you can claim the actual amounts you paid (supported by documents) which may provide you a better benefit, however it is much more complex.

The type of expenses you can claim:

• electricity
• heat
• water
• utilities portion (electricity, heat, and water) of your condominium fees
• home internet access fees
• maintenance and minor repair costs
• rent paid for a house or apartment where you live

What you cannot claim:

• mortgage interest
• principal mortgage payments
• home internet connection fees
• furniture
• capital expenses (replacing windows, flooring, furnace, etc)
• wall decorations

To summarize: It is a matter of the amount of benefit you may claim and how complex your expenses may go. If you have plenty of amounts to report beyond the $500 maximum claim amount for the flat rate, then you should go for the detailed method.

For more information, check out: Canada Revenue Agency - Work From Home Covid-19

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