Working From Home During The Pandemic - Claiming Home Office Expenses in the COVID-19 Era

Working From Home During The Pandemic - Claiming Home Office Expenses in the COVID-19 Era
September 17, 2020
Presented by Alex Mitrovic & Jessica Zhang-Chapman | Welch LLP

Session Summary 

 A large number of Canadians have been working from home since mid-March, many for the first time. Most of us are not used to working from home for extended periods like we are now, as our employers tend to provide us with a work space to carry out our employment duties. For employees who are required or have chosen to voluntarily work from home due to this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, can a portion of home office costs be deducted for tax purposes? What are the implications for and expectations of employers? What if you are self-employed or a contractor? Will CRA change the rules this year?

This webinar will cover the current CRA rules as they relate to claiming home office expenses on 2020 personal income tax returns, deductible vs. non-deductible expenses, documentation requirements, what’s new, and what the unknowns are at this point. From employees and employers to the self-employed individual, we will cover the basics for those who may be claiming home office expenses for the first time, while also serving as a refresher and update for changes in 2020 for those who have claimed such expenses in prior years.

Presenters 

Alex Mitrovic, CPA, CA
Senior Management, Welch LLP

Alex joined Welch LLP full-time in 2014 and obtained his designation in 2016. His focus at Welch is providing assurance and accounting services to clients in the non-profit and private industry sectors. A senior manager on one of the larger teams of the firm, Alex also plays an active role in the recruitment and mentoring of Welch’s new staff, and volunteers his time as Treasurer of the Canadensis Botanical Garden Society. He has been working remotely from his home office since mid-March of 2020.

Jessica Zhang-Chapman, CPA, CGA, CIA
Senior Manager, Welch LLP

Jessica has 10 years of experience in providing accounting and assurance services to clients primarily in the not-for-profit sector. She also has extensive experience with federal government departments and agencies auditing various Contribution Agreements in the role as Project Manager. Currently, Jessica is a member on the Welch LLP Tax Group, providing indirect tax and payroll tax advice to clients in various industries. She completed the CPA Canada In-Depth GST/HST course in June 2019.  

Outside the accounting and tax work, Jessica leads the Diversity and Inclusion Program at Welch LLP, teaches the NaviCanAcc for Accounting Pros program through In-TAC and is a frequent speaker at CPA Ontario events for Internationally Educated Professionals.