- Tax expert shared tips in time for tax filing
- Australians can claim several surprising items
A tax expert has revealed the items Australians may not know they can claim when filing taxes.
July 1 arrives on Monday, meaning people will be able to start filing their returns with the ATO.
CPA Australia provided a list of items that many people didn’t know they could claim.
What is an appropriate deductible will depend on your job and CPA Australia says any expenses claimed must be related to your job and you must have evidence of this.
1. Work-related education
If your job requires education or training and you pay for it, you can claim it.
‘This includes the cost of attending conferences or seminars relevant to your work, including travel and hotel costs. Just not the costs reimbursed by your employer,” says Australian CPA spokesperson Gavan Ord.
2. Essential items
A tax expert has revealed the items Australians may not know they can claim when filing taxes (file image)
Basically, you can claim any item that is essential to your job.
“If you drive for a living, things like sunglasses might be tax deductible,” Ord says.
“If you need specific clothing items, such as protective footwear, they also count. As long as you paid out of your own pocket and have the receipts, you can claim.”
3. Transportation costs
Many people can claim the cost of driving necessary for their work.
“For example, if you work as a cleaner and need to travel from one office or location to another, this is a cost you can claim,” says Ord.
4. Meals during overtime
You can claim extra meals that you buy and eat while working overtime.
Mr. Ord says you can claim the extra meals.
‘If your employer paid you overtime meal allowance under a law, award or industrial agreement, for the overtime and it is included in your taxable income.’
5. Stay clean
This applies to people who might work in positions such as retail staff or at a train station.
“If you work in a job that requires interaction with a lot of customers and surfaces, you can even claim the cost of items like gloves and hand sanitizer,” Ord says.
6. Sleeping bags and pillows
What is an appropriate deductible will depend on your job and CPA Australia says any expenses claimed must be related to your job and you must have evidence of this (stock image)
This applies to truck drivers.
“You can claim the cost of a sleeping bag and pillows when you use them during your mandatory long breaks and sleep away from home for work,” says Ord.
7. Tools and equipment
People can claim the costs of the tools and equipment they use for work.
“You can claim an immediate deduction if the cost is up to $300, otherwise you can claim the cost over several years,” Ord says.
8. Media subscriptions
Mr Ord said: “If you have subscribed to news publications, a professional magazine or other media services as part of your job and you pay for them yourself, you can claim them back.”
9. Home office
Since the pandemic, working from home has become more common and you may be able to claim the costs of your home office.
“Your computer desk and chair are tax deductible as long as you paid for them yourself,” Ord says.
“If you commute to the office, you could even claim the laptop bag you use.”
10. The costs of preparing your tax return
Ord says it’s often overlooked that you can claim return preparation costs by seeking professional tax advice from an accountant.
“Some people may wonder whether it’s worth seeking the help of a tax agent, but since you can claim the cost as a deduction, it’s definitely worth it,” says Ord.
