Redraw blurred lines between work and home, ATO warns

Lines between expenses related to business and personal use that became fuzzy during the pandemic need to be brought into sharp focus now, ATO Assistant Commissioner Andrew Watson said. Speaking on this week’s Accountants Daily podcast, Mr Watson said it was one of three key messages for businesses this year. “It’s been around for a while as an issue, but probably as we’ve all experienced over the last few years, some of the lines between work and home have blurred as we’ve gone into lockdowns and many business owners – they might have business premises – but have done more work out of home,” he said. “Just make sure that apportionment is happening and you’re not just claiming business expenses that include an element of private expense.”