Co-habiting couple - what values to use on a tax return?

Sappy404

Hi folks, I'm co-habiting with my partner and our 2 kids. We both work from home - me 5 days a week, her 2 days - in a rented apartment.

I'm filling in my return and will be assessed separately. Because we split the bills (in short, I pay the rent from my account and she pays the gas/electric/broadband etc. from hers) I'm unsure what amount to submit when filling in my return. Should I put in 50% of the rent, and 50% of the bills in the work-from-home section? Should I put in just the rent, as this is what I pay, and leave the WFH to her because that's what she pays? Or should I put the full value in for both?

My concern is any utility bills will be in her name when I submit them with my return.

SureYWouldntYa

You can't put in the full value for both as that's not the real cost. It should be split according to what is paid, ie 50/50

If you wanted to keep it simple you could submit the rent in your name and the bills in her name and then just split the refunds

Sappy404

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122577763#Comment_122577763

Could there be an issue with my landlord if I put in half the rent and my other half doesn't submit hers for a while? I don't want them to get hassle from Revenue.

SureYWouldntYa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122577833#Comment_122577833

Landlord details are not mandatory on the form, you can submit without and take a chance. Revenue may seek further details at a later stage.

Allinall

Are you self employed OP?

If not, you can't claim any rent. Just a percentage of utility bills.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122578502#Comment_122578502

I presume he meant for the Rent Tax Credit

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122578520#Comment_122578520

Ah. You could be right.

If you're claiming the rent tax credit make sure to both claim half the rent paid, or one of you is losing €500 of a tax credit.