It’s tax time! It pays to learn what work-related expenses you can claim
Lodging your tax return is easy if you have everything you need at the ready.
When completing your tax return, you may be able to claim deductions for some work-related expenses.
It is really important to be aware that to claim a work-related deduction:
- you must have spent the money yourself and weren’t reimbursed
- it must be directly related to earning your teaching income
- you must have a record to prove it.
If the expense was for both work and private purposes, you can only claim a deduction for the work-related portion. Deductions for Teachers may include:
- union membership fees
- travel expenses
- clothing expenses
- self-education expenses
- home office expenses
- phone expenses
- tools and equipment
- other expenses.
You are accountable for the claims you make in your tax return, even if you use a registered tax agent to prepare and lodge it on your behalf. Please be aware that there is no such thing as a standard deduction – this is a myth. There’s no ‘safe’ level to claim a deduction where you haven’t spent the money or it’s not related to earning your income. You must keep records to prove your claims.
The best time to lodge your tax return is mid-August, when all financial information the ATO receives from employers, banks, government agencies and more, will be pre-filled. You must also remember to declare all income when lodging your tax return.
For more information or to download the Teachers work-related expense guide go to The Australian Tax Office website via this link.
