What Can You Claim Without Receipts?
It's important to remember that there are limits to what you can claim without receipts. It isn't as simple as filing your expenses without a receipt and expecting the ATO to take your word for it – you do need supporting evidence.
Travel Expenses
If you travel from office to office or to different job sites and use your private vehicle to handle those work-related activities, then you can claim travel expenses. More importantly, you do not need to keep your receipts. You can simply keep a logbook of the kilometres you drive for work.
If you maintain the logbook for 12 consecutive weeks at a minimum, you can use this as evidence. A tax agent can help you calculate the deduction on your tax claim. The ATO allows you to claim 85 cents per kilometre. The maximum is 5,000 kilometres per financial year. So, if you travel over 5,000 km each financial year, you need to start maintaining a logbook. This is easy with the right app.
Membership Fees
You will most likely find membership fees or union dues itemised on an income statement, PAYG summary or other summary documents from your tax agent or employer. As long as you have a form of written evidence, you can claim these deductions without a receipt. This type of documentation is more than enough for the ATO.
Stationery & Computer Items
Whether you are a sole trader or working from home, you can claim stationery costs as long as you have proof in a credit or debit card statement. You simply need to make a note next to the relevant items on the statement. Ideally, taking photographic evidence of the items is acceptable supporting evidence.
The same is applicable to computer items or equipment. It is far easier to retain receipts, especially in the digital world we live in, but you can take a photo of the packaging, receipt, and credit or debit card statement to support your claim.
Clothing & Uniforms
Can I claim work clothing, uniforms and footwear on tax?
- Compulsory uniform: The work uniform must be unique and particular to an organisation. For example, every item must carry your corporate logo. The logo must be permanently attached, such as embroidery.
- Non-Compulsory uniform: If on a register kept by the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism.
- Occupational specific: The clothing identifies a particular trade, vocation or profession (e.g. Chefs and nurses)
- Protective clothing: Protective workwear must be used to protect the person or their conventional clothing.
Can I claim dry-cleaning on tax?
Dry cleaning expenses can be claimed if the cost of the clothing is also deductible. This can be particularly helpful when a suit is part of your compulsory work uniform. Dry cleaning may extend the life of your suit.
Can I claim glasses and safety goggles on tax?
You can claim glasses and goggles, providing they are for protective use only.
How much laundry can you claim on tax?
You are entitled to claim laundry expenses if the cost of clothing is allowable. Reasonable claims of up to $150 do not need a record to prove the expenses.
Can I claim protective equipment on tax?
You can claim a deduction for protective equipment, such as harnesses, goggles, safety glasses, breathing masks, helmets, and boots. Claims for sunscreen, sunglasses and wet weather gear is allowed if they are used to provide protection from the natural environment while you are at work.
Working From Home
There are plenty of advantages to working from home, but most people underestimate the increase in costs. You may not need to pay for petrol to go to work or buy lunch at a cafe, but working from home will increase your utility bills. You may even need to invest in a home office.
For people who work from home, the ATO offers a rate per hour method. You can claim 52 cents per hour for every hour you work from home. This rate per hour method covers all of the expenses you would be eligible for with receipts, including internet, furniture, electricity, equipment, etc. If you make use of this method you can't make additional claims on home office expenses you hold receipts for.
