The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released work-related expenses people tried (and failed) to claim on last year’s tax returns.
It includes:
- A truck driver trying to claim swimwear because their transit stop was hot and they wanted a swim.
- A mechanic trying to claim an air fryer, TV and gaming console.
- A manager in the fashion industry trying to claim luxury clothing to be well presented at work.
All three claims were denied. The first two were deemed “personal in nature” and the clothing was deemed “conventional in nature”.
Tax returns
From 1 July, taxpayers will be able to submit their tax returns for the 24/25 financial year.
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A tax return provides the ATO with information about your annual income and any deductions you wish to claim.
Deductions are work-related expenses.
If they are approved by the ATO, the amount gets subtracted from your pre-tax income, meaning you could be eligible to receive some money back.
The ATO is reminding taxpayers to not exaggerate their deductions, as that could result in penalties and interest.
ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson said in a statement: “If your deductions don’t pass the ‘pub test’, it’s highly unlikely your claim would meet the ATO’s strict criteria.”
The ATO recommends checking its website for more detailed guidance on what you can claim.
