Bigger refund tips
The expenses and items you should claim — and exactly how. Use your occupation’s list to catch everything; anything not on it is still claimable if it’s money you spent to earn your income.
Don’t leave these on the table
Make your car claimable
Carry bulky tools, or use your car between work sites. Then tolls and parking count too. Claim your car.
Logbook >>> cents-per-km
CPK caps at $4,400; a logbook unlocks $15,000–$30,000. Classify home-to-work kms as work.
Travel meals on an allowance
An allowance is taxed, so claim the meals — often $13,750+/yr better off. Claim your meals.
The no-receipt expenses
Laundry $156, overtime meals $38.65/meal, home-office electricity 70c/hr, the $10 donation.
Car-improvement depreciation
New tray, wheels, bull bar — depreciate the cost over 8 years instead of missing it.
Rental depreciation
A depreciation report on a $400,000 property can be worth ~$10,000/yr — well worth the $500–800.
Business space lease
Sole traders & companies can claim office, garage and shed space used for the business.
Church tithing
Giving to a registered DGR is deductible — claiming it just means you don’t pay tax on money you gave away.
Include your spouse
It’s required — and it can keep you under the Medicare Levy Surcharge threshold.
Zone (remote) offset
Lived in a remote zone? Claim up to $1,173.
Income protection you paid
If you paid it directly (not via super), it’s deductible. Paying from super costs you 15% — pay it directly.
Extra super contributions
Personal post-tax contributions are claimable in D12. Super is taxed at 15% vs up to 48% — a smart shift.
Three that move the needle most
Logbook % done right
Classifying home-to-work trips as work can lift a logbook from 18% to 94%.
Include your spouse
Combined taxable income of $177,000 stays under the $202,000 couple threshold — no Medicare Levy Surcharge, no need to buy hospital cover.
Use taxable income, not gross.
Home-office electricity
1 hour/day × 5 days × 50 weeks × 70c =
…that almost nobody claims.
Numbers worth knowing
Tiers rise to 1.25% and 1.5% at higher incomes. MLS is separate from the standard 2% Medicare levy.
Check the ATO zone list for your location and claim the right amount.
Put the tips to work
Pick your occupation and the worksheet applies the right tips and calculators for you.