HMRC warns home workers about rogue tax advisors

HMRC has issued a warning to people working from home about tax refund scams. Some companies and online ads offer to submit work-from-home tax claims on behalf of employees, taking commission from refunds and risking fraudulent claims.

HMRC advises that you always check eligibility before claiming, submit claims directly through HMRC to avoid fees and risk, and be wary of promises of “easy money” – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

HMRC highlights three major warning signs of bad tax agents: asking you to sign a blank tax return, requesting your Government Gateway ID, and claiming to be endorsed by HMRC. Legitimate advisers should ask for receipts and let you review and approve returns before submission.

Steps you should take before using a tax agent include checking their credentials (look for accreditation with bodies like ICAEW or CIOT), reading the fine print and understanding what you’re signing – some agreements give agents long-term control over your tax affairs, and knowing the fees. You remain responsible for any incorrect claims, even if submitted by an agent.

As a reminder, here are the Work-from-Home tax relief rules:

– Eligibility: Only claim if you’re required to work from home (e.g., no office space or impractical commute).
– Valid Expenses: Business-related costs like phone calls or energy for your workspace.
– Excluded Items: Rent, broadband, or anything used outside work hours.