What can I claim on my tax return?

If you spent your own money on something for work and weren't reimbursed, there's a good chance it's deductible — working from home, work-related car and travel, tools and devices, compulsory or protective uniforms and their laundry, self-education, union and professional fees, and the work share of your phone and internet. Donations and last year's tax agent fee count too. We go through it all with you.

Can I claim working from home?

Yes, if you do genuine work from home you can claim the extra running costs — there's a fixed-rate method (cents per hour) or the actual-cost method. You need a record of your hours. We'll pick whichever method gets you the bigger, cleaner claim.

Can I claim deductions without receipts?

The ATO lets you claim up to a small total of work expenses without written evidence, and there are set methods for things like laundry and working from home. Beyond that you need records. Don't stress if it's a mess — we'll work out what you can safely claim and help you keep it tidy next year. Not sure what it'll cost? Have a look at our pricing page or book a quick chat.

Back to individual tax

Who We Help · Bendigo

Common Tax Deductions in Bendigo

Don’t see your exact job on our list? No dramas. Whatever you do for a crust, there are everyday deductions almost everyone can claim — and we’ll make sure you get them.

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Different job, same question: “what can I actually claim?”

Teacher, driver, cleaner, office worker, nurse-of-all-trades — the specifics change, but the rule doesn’t: if you spent your own money on something for work and weren’t paid back, it’s usually a deduction. Most people in Bendigo miss claims simply because no one asked the right questions. We do.

What almost anyone can claim

Working from home — the running costs, by whichever method claims more
Work-related car and travel (not the normal trip to and from work)
Tools, equipment and devices you use for your job
Compulsory or protective uniforms — and the laundry
Self-education and courses that relate to your current job
Union and professional fees, work phone & internet, income protection, donations, and last year’s tax agent fee

Straight from the ATO

The tax office has a plain-English guide for dozens of specific occupations — from teachers to truck drivers to hospitality. Find yours here, or just let us do the digging.

Why not just do it yourself?

You can — but a quick chat with someone who does hundreds of returns a year usually pays for itself. We ask the questions myGov doesn’t, catch the claims you’d miss, and make sure it’s all backed up if the ATO ever asks. No suits, plain English, and we’ll tell you the price first.

Tax deduction FAQs

What can I claim on my tax return?

If you spent your own money on something for work and weren’t reimbursed, there’s a good chance it’s deductible — working from home, work-related car and travel, tools and devices, compulsory or protective uniforms and their laundry, self-education, union and professional fees, and the work share of your phone and internet. Donations and last year’s tax agent fee count too. We go through it all with you.
Can I claim working from home?

Yes, if you do genuine work from home you can claim the extra running costs — there’s a fixed-rate method (cents per hour) or the actual-cost method. You need a record of your hours. We’ll pick whichever method gets you the bigger, cleaner claim.
Can I claim deductions without receipts?

The ATO lets you claim up to a small total of work expenses without written evidence, and there are set methods for things like laundry and working from home. Beyond that you need records. Don’t stress if it’s a mess — we’ll work out what you can safely claim and help you keep it tidy next year. Not sure what it’ll cost? Have a look at our pricing page or book a quick chat.