Coronavirus is going to change the way we claim at tax time. Here's what you need to know.

*Emily Stewart - ABC News 2020

Your tax is probably the last thing on your mind right now. But it's something practical you can control if you're finding life a little bit overwhelming. If you're working from home because of COVID-19, you've probably realised that there are a few extra expenses to consider.

Perhaps you've rushed out to buy a new desk for your spare room, some stationery or even a new laptop.

And then there's the change to your next round of household bills like power, heating and cooling, as well as internet costs. While some employers will fork out for equipment, or even pay a daily allowance for bills, most of us will find that the best way to get some money back is by making a claim at tax time. Let's dig into what you might want to do now to be eligible.

I have no idea what I should be claiming at tax time

It's easy to get confused about this stuff. Basically, the things you can claim relate directly to the work you do from home. There are two broad areas where you can claim, says Andrew Gardiner from the National Tax and Accountants' Association.

The first area is running costs. These are things like lighting, heating, cooling and the decline in value of equipment, furniture and fittings you use for work in the home office. Accountants call this decline in value depreciation. The second main area for home office-type claims is phone and internet.

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