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Dear Eligible Staff and Faculty, As UBC follows the guidance of the Provincial Health Officer, I would like to provide an update on the status of remote work arrangements and one-time financial assistance for certain office equipment. Although UBC has introduced a COVID-19 safety planning process for the gradual resumption of activity on our campuses, many faculty and staff continue to work remotely – and will do so for the foreseeable future. Remote working may have meant that some faculty and staff needed to purchase office equipment, in order to have a productive and ergonomically satisfactory remote working space. In light of these circumstances, UBC will provide financial assistance for certain office equipment in the form of a reimbursement of up to $400 – available on a one-time basis. This reimbursement is for eligible faculty and staff who, at some point between March 16, 2020 and December 4, 2020, were required to purchase personal computer and/or home office equipment to enable them to effectively work from home due to the impact of COVID-19.
Please note that items for which you have already received a reimbursement are not eligible to be claimed for reimbursement again. For further full details about eligible items and the reimbursement process, visit: https://finance.ubc.ca/payroll/your-taxes/claiming-employment-expenses Please note: The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) considers personal computer and home office equipment to be capital in nature, and a reimbursement for such items would normally be taxable. However, in the context of COVID-19, the CRA has made an exception for the 2020 tax year, allowing reimbursements for personal computer equipment and home office equipment to be granted on a tax-free basis, provided the equipment is needed in order to perform duties of employment at home. Sincerely, Vicky Vicky Yau |
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