Home Office Reimbursement Budget Calculator

Working from home means you pay for equipment, internet, utilities and supplies your office used to cover. Estimate your annual WFH cost, then turn it into a concrete reimbursement request your manager can approve.

Your home office costs

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Your reimbursement ask

Enter your numbers above — results update instantly.

How this calculator works

This tool turns your rough WFH spending into a bottom-up budget: equipment is amortized over the months you actually work from home, internet and utilities are split by the share you estimate is work-related, and ongoing supplies are annualized. The total is a realistic, defensible number to ask your employer to reimburse.

Employer vs IRS rules: many large companies now offer stipends or reimbursement programs, but there is no general federal requirement. Under the TCJA, most W-2 employees cannot deduct unreimbursed employee expenses on their personal tax return; self-employed people may deduct home-office costs on Schedule C. Figures here are estimates for negotiation — confirm with your employer's HR policy or a tax professional.

Frequently asked questions

What home office expenses can I reasonably ask my employer to reimburse?

Most stipend programs cover a laptop, monitor, chair, desk, sometimes internet and phone. Build your ask from bottom-up costs like this calculator shows, and pair it with the hybrid request email generator. Employer policies vary — ask HR for the official program details.

Can I deduct my home office costs on my taxes instead?

For most W-2 employees, the miscellaneous-itemized deduction for unreimbursed employee expenses was suspended under the TCJA (2018–2025 tax years). If you are self-employed or have side-business income, the home office deduction may still apply. See the remote work tax deduction calculator for the math.

What percentage of my internet and electricity bill should I claim for work?

Be conservative: many people use 10–20% of utilities and 30–50% of internet, based on hours worked at home and the space used. If you want the number to hold up in a conversation, avoid claiming 100% of household bills.

Is employer-paid home office reimbursement taxable income?

It depends. Qualified working-condition reimbursements under an accountable plan are generally not taxable, while flat stipends paid without receipts often are. Ask HR which program your company uses — the tax treatment is set by IRS rules, not by the company.

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