You can claim a deduction for self-education expenses if the education relates to your employment activities.
Tax Checklists
Practical Tax Preparation Checklists for Individuals and Businesses
Work-Related Deductions
Checklist for common claims such as vehicle expenses, travel, uniforms, education and working from home.
Income & Earnings
Document checklist for salary and wages, dividends, interest, managed funds, foreign income and capital gains.
Rental Property Claims
Checklist for rental income, property expenses, depreciation and supporting records for investment properties.
Business & Entities
Year-end document checklist for companies, trusts, partnerships and sole traders.
Individual tax deductions checklist
Every common work-related deduction category, together with the records you should keep to support your claims. Expand each section to see what documents and evidence to gather.
Deductions for work-related use of your car or another motor vehicle
Deductions when you buy, repair or launder occupation-specific or protective clothing, or distinctive uniforms.
Deductions for attending seminars, conferences, and first aid or other training courses connected with your work.
You can claim a deduction for the cost of buying or subscribing to a professional publication, newspaper, news service or magazine if you can show: a direct connection between your specific work duties and the content. the content is specific to your employment and is not general in nature.
You can’t claim a deduction for parking at or near a regular place of work. You also can’t claim a deduction for tolls you incur for trips between your home and regular place of work. These are private expenses.
You can claim a deduction for parking fees and tolls you incur on work-related trips.
Deductions for mobile phone calls and internet expenses you incur for a work-related purpose, including the device.
Deduction for expenses to manage your tax affairs, such as lodging with a registered agent.
Deduction for expenses to manage your tax affairs, such as lodging with a registered agent.
Deductions for tools or instruments you use for work, including the cost of repairs and insurance.
Deductions for travel expenses you incur when you travel and stay away from home overnight for work.
For the industry you work in, you may claim a deduction for: union fees. subscriptions to trade, business or professional associations. payment of a bargaining agent’s fee to a union for negotiations on a new enterprise agreement or award with your existing employer.
Computers and laptops are generally depreciating assets which decline in value over the time you use them. If when you buy a computer, it includes software as part of the purchase price, you don’t need to break up the costs to calculate the decline in value.
Receipts for donations of $2 and more to registered charities.
Deductions for the costs of earning interest, share dividends, or income from other investments.
You may be able to claim a deduction for personal super contributions you make to a complying super fund or retirement savings account (RSA).
To claim a deduction, you must first give your super fund or RSA provider a valid notice of intent and receive an acknowledgment form from your fund or RSA provider.
Before claiming a deduction for personal super contributions, you should consider the impacts on your super.
You may be able to claim a tax deduction for expenses you incur in carrying on your business.
Documentation checklist
Income statements or PAYG payment summaries from employers
Interest statements from Australian bank
accounts
Capital gains tax records for property, shares, crypto and
unit trusts
Government allowances, pensions and superannuation benefit statements
Dividend statements and dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) records
Managed fund annual tax statements and foreign income records
Investment Property
Rental property expense checklist
Property Running Costs
- Council rates and water charges
- Strata/body corporate levies
- Land tax notices
- Building and landlord insurance
- Property management and letting fees
- Cleaning, gardening and pest control costs
Finance, Repairs & Property Records
- Investment loan statements and interest records
- Repairs and maintenance invoices
- Legal expenses relating to the rental property
- Purchase and settlement statements
- Records of improvements and major property expenditure
Depreciation & Capital Costs
- Quantity surveyor tax depreciation schedule
- Capital works and structural improvement records
- Plant and equipment asset details
- Invoices for depreciating assets purchased for the property
Entities
Companies, partnerships, trusts & other businesses
Financial Statements & Ledgers
- Year-end trial balance
- Profit & loss statement
- Balance sheet
- General ledger detail reports
- Year-end bank reconciliations
Assets, Finance & Operating Records
- Key operating expense records
- Loan and finance statements where relevant
- Asset purchase invoices
- Hire purchase and lease agreements
Payroll & Superannuation
- Single Touch Payroll (STP) finalisation reports
- Director fees and drawings summaries
- Superannuation contribution statements
- Employee termination payment records
Compliance & Activity Statements
- Quarterly BAS and IAS lodgments
- ATO income tax account statements
- ASIC annual return records
- Trust or partnership distribution minutes
Important Disclaimer
This Tax Checklist is provided for general information and document-preparation purposes only. It does not constitute personal tax, legal or financial advice and should not be relied on as a complete list of deductible expenses or reporting requirements. The tax treatment of any income, expense, deduction, asset or transaction depends on your individual circumstances and the tax law applying at the relevant time. Inclusion of an item in this checklist does not mean that it is automatically deductible or claimable. You should keep appropriate supporting records and obtain professional advice before lodging your tax return or making decisions based on this information. Tradewise Solutions Chartered Accountants can assist with advice specific to your circumstances.
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