CTA

CTA We provide a wide range of accounting, taxation and business advisory services to individuals, compa

06/08/2016

Tax Fact 5

Other work-related expenses

You could claim any other work-related expenses you incurred as an employee and have not already claimed, including:

1. union fees and subscriptions to trade, business or professional associations
2. overtime meal expenses (provided that you satisfy certain conditions)
3. professional seminars, courses, conferences and workshops
4. reference books, technical journals and trade magazines
5. tools and equipment and professional libraries; you may be able to claim an immediate deduction for an item that cost $300 or less, otherwise, you claim a deduction for the decline in value of an item over its effective life.
6. items that protect you from the risk of injury or illness posed by your work or your work environment, such as hard hats, safety glasses and sunscreens
7. the work-related proportion of the following costs:
a. interest on money borrowed to buy a computer
b. repair costs for the computer
c. the decline in value of the computer (you may need to make a balancing adjustment if you no longer own or use the computer and you previously claimed a deduction for its decline in value)
d. internet access charges
e. phone calls
f. phone rental if you can show you were on call or were regularly required to phone your employer or clients while away from your workplace
g. the decline in value of your home office furniture and fittings
h. home office heating, cooling, lighting and cleaning costs.

For your home office expenses, you can:
a. keep a diary of the details of your actual costs and your work-related use of the office, or
b. use a fixed rate of 45 cents per hour for heating, cooling, lighting and the decline in value of furniture in your home office.
Generally, you cannot claim a deduction for occupancy expenses such as rent, rates, mortgage interest and insurance.

02/08/2016

Tax Fact 4

Did you know that you could also claim laundry expense relating to uniform and protective clothing?

However, the laundry expense must be incurred in the course of producing your salary or wage income. If the laundry expense is partly for work purposes and partly for private purposes, then only the work related portion is an allowable deduction.

A deduction is only allowable for the cost of washing, drying or ironing clothes that fall into one or more of the following categories:
a. compulsory uniform;
b. non-compulsory uniform;
c. occupation specific clothing; or
d. protective clothing;

But a deduction is not allowable if the expense is incurred in earning tax exempt income (e.g., laundry of uniforms for members of the Army Reserve).

How do you substantiate laundry expenses?

Where the total amount of laundry expenses incurred in the income year is up to $150, there is no need to retain written evidence of each laundry expense. However, you may calculate your laundry expenses by keeping written evidence.

When you do not keep written evidence of your laundry expenses, the Commissioner will allow a claim of $1 per load (which covers washing, drying and ironing) in situations where only work related clothing is being laundered, and 50 cents per load where both private and work related clothing is being laundered at the same time. You should keep details of the number of washes that were done during the year, and what type of clothes (work related, private or both) were included in each wash.

Total amount of work expenses

Where the total amount of work expenses incurred in the income year is $300 or less, there is no need for written evidence to be kept for laundry or other work expenses.

01/08/2014

Tax Fact 3:

If you incurred expenses for work-related protective clothing, uniforms or occupation-specific clothing, you can claim the expenses.

You can claim the cost of a work uniform that is distinctive (eg. your employer's logo permanently attached to the uniform) and it must be either:

1. a non-compulsory uniform that your employer has registered with AusIndustry (check with your employer if you are not sure), OR

2. a compulsory uniform that identifies you as an employee of your organisation. There must be a strictly enforced policy making it compulsory to wear that clothing at work. The colour, style and type of the distinctive compulsory uniform are specified in your employer's policy.

Also, you can claim the cost of:

1. occupation-specific clothing which allows people to easily recognise that occupation (eg. checked pants a chef wears when working) and which are not for everyday use

2. protective clothing and footwear to protect you from the risk of illness or injury, or to prevent damage to your ordinary clothes, caused by your work or work environment. Items may include fire-resistant clothing, sun protection clothing, non-slip nurse's shoes, steel-capped boots, gloves, overalls, aprons, and heavy duty shirts and trousers.

However, you cannot claim the cost of plain uniforms or clothes, such as black trousers, white shirts, suits or stockings, even if your employer requires you to wear them.

24/07/2014

Tax Fact 2:

In general, you could not claim car or travel expenses when you travel from home to work or from work to home because they are of a private or domestic nature.

However, you could claim car and/or travel expenses if you travel:

1. between two separate places of employment (e.g. when you have a second job);

2. from your normal workplace to an alternative workplace while you are still on duty; and back again to your normal workplace or directly home;

3. from your home to an alternative workplace and then to your normal workplace or directly home (e.g. if you travel to a client's premises to work there for the day).

21/07/2014

Tax Fact 1:

Did you know that you could claim work-related car expenses under certain circumstances?

In general, you cannot claim for the trip between work and home. But, you can claim under the following situations:

1. You use your car to carry bulky tools or equipment which you use for work and you cannot leave at work.

2. Your home is a base for employment, i.e. you start work at home and travel to a workplace to continue work for the same employer.

3. You have shifting places of employment, i.e. you work at more than one place each day.

Also, you can claim the cost of using your car to travel directly between two separate places of employment.

20/07/2014

If you would like us to assist in preparing and lodging your individual tax return, please go to our website www.ctacta.com.au.

Our "2014 Individual Tax Return Questionnaire/Checklist" is now available on our website under the "taxation" tab.

Please fill in this Questionnaire/Checklist and email it to us at [email protected] with all supporting documents.

Address

Upper Mount Gravatt
Brisbane, QLD
4122

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when CTA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category