Track Work-Related Tax Deductions in Australia
Track work-related expenses to maximise your Australian tax refund. Learn what's claimable, how to keep receipts, and avoid common deduction mistakes.
Every July, Australians rush to claim work-related deductions. Most leave money on the table because they didn’t track properly throughout the year.
Don’t be that person.
💡 Why Bother With Deductions?
Good question. Here’s the deal:
- 💰 Boost your refund — legitimate deductions reduce taxable income
- 📉 Lower your tax bill — especially if you owe money
- 💵 Keep more of what you earn — novel concept, right?
The ATO expects you to claim what you’re entitled to. Just do it properly.
1. Keep Every Receipt 🧾
Become obsessed with receipts:
- Office supplies and equipment
- Work-related travel (not commuting)
- Professional development courses
- Tools of trade
💡 Pro tip: Use a receipt scanning app (ATO’s myDeductions, Expensify, or just your phone camera + cloud storage). Physical receipts fade; digital ones don’t.
📋 2. Know What You Can Claim
More than you’d think:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Home office | Desk, chair, internet, electricity (WFH portion) |
| Technology | Phone, laptop (work portion) |
| Clothing | Uniforms, protective gear (not regular clothes) |
| Self-education | Courses related to current job |
| Subscriptions | Professional memberships, relevant publications |
| Car expenses | Work-related travel (not commuting) |
🔑 The rule: If it’s essential for your work AND you paid for it yourself, it’s probably claimable.
🛠️ 3. Use the ATO’s Free Tools
The ATO actually wants to help:
- 📱 myGov app — link to ATO services
- 🧾 myDeductions tool — track expenses on your phone throughout the year
- ✅ Pre-filled tax return — employer income auto-populates
These tools make tax time dramatically less painful.
🚧 4. Understand the Limits
Some key thresholds:
- ⚠️ $300 total work expenses — under this, no receipts needed (but don’t abuse it)
- 📊 Depreciation — items over $300 are depreciated over their useful life
- ⚖️ Apportionment — personal/work split for shared items (e.g., 60% work use on your phone)
🤝 5. When to Get Professional Help
Consider a tax agent if:
- Your situation is complex (investments, rental properties, crypto)
- You’re not confident navigating deductions
- The agent’s fee might pay for itself in found deductions
💡 A good accountant often costs less than what they save you.
🔄 6. Build Year-Round Habits
Don’t wait until June 30:
- 📅 Weekly: Log new expenses immediately
- 📅 Monthly: Reconcile receipts
- 📅 Quarterly: Review what you might be missing
- 🏁 June: Final check before EOFY
Future-you will be very grateful.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Claiming things you have no receipts for (over $300) ❌ Claiming personal expenses as work-related ❌ Forgetting to apportion shared-use items ❌ Missing the claim entirely because you forgot to track
✅ Quick Deductions Checklist
- Home office expenses (if WFH)
- Work-related portion of phone/internet
- Professional subscriptions and memberships
- Self-education (related to current job)
- Tools and equipment
- Protective clothing/uniforms
- Work-related car expenses (logbook or cents per km)
🏁 The Takeaway
✅ Tracking deductions isn’t hard. It just requires:
- 🔧 Systems — apps to capture receipts
- 📅 Habits — logging expenses when they happen
- 🎓 Knowledge — understanding what’s claimable
💰 Start now. Every dollar in deductions means real money back in your pocket.
The ATO has excellent resources at ato.gov.au. When in doubt, check there first.
Related guides:
Now go claim what’s yours. 🧙♂️💼