Let’s be real — tax time isn’t anyone’s favourite time of year. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or something you dread every July.
While we’re not accountants here at SLSQ, we’ve pulled together some helpful tips and reminders to make your tax return easier, and possibly even help you get some money back. Always remember to check with a professional if you have any questions!
How do I lodge a tax return?
If you earn an income and have tax withheld from that, you will need to lodge a tax return. You have from 1 July to 31 October to lodge it and if you do it online through myTax the ATO will pre-fill most information for you, including:
- Income statements – make sure they’re marked as ‘Tax ready’ before lodging
- Private health insurance statement (if applicable)
Once your info is ready and pre-filled (usually by late July):
- Log in to myGov
- Go to the ATO service
- Select “Lodge your tax return”
- Follow the prompts and check each section – add any deductions
- Submit your return
It’s free, and the ATO gives hints as you go. The only thing you need to do manually is add any deductions for work related expenses, keep reading for more info on those.
After you lodge, most tax returns will be processed within 2 weeks, or you’ll find out that you have a tax debt.
Let’s Talk Deductions
Here’s the deal: if you’ve spent your own money on things that help you do your job, you might be able to claim them and reduce how much tax you pay — or get a bigger refund.
Some common deductions for young workers include:
- Work uniforms or safety gear
- Equipment you use for work
- A portion of your phone or internet bill (if used for work)
- Study costs for courses related to your job
- Working-from-home expenses
Receipts = Your Best Friend
Thinking of claiming something? You’ll need proof. That means keeping your receipts and tracking what each item was used for.
Hot tip: Use the ATO app (myDeductions) to snap and store receipts or set up a digital “tax folder” on your phone or computer to keep everything in one place.
Uniforms and laundry costs
If you’re required to purchase your own branded uniforms (e.g., shirts, shorts, rashies), you can claim deductions on these. Even if you don’t have to buy your own uniform, if you do wear a uniform to work you can claim laundry or dry-cleaning costs for this.
How much? If your laundry expenses (not dry-cleaning expenses) are $150 or less, you can claim the amount you incur on laundry without providing written evidence of your laundry expenses.
Sun protection
Working outdoors? You may be able to claim expenses for sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and UV-protective clothing — if your role involves regular sun exposure.
How much? You can claim up to $300 for polarised sunglasses for work in the one deduction. If more than $300 you can claim a deduction for the value of depreciation over time.
Charity donations
Any donation over $2 is claimable on tax deduction, as long as you have a receipt and it’s to an organisation that has the status of a “deductible gift recipient” (It can’t be t-shit from the op shop).
Home office expenses
If you work from home, you can claim things like electricity and gas, home internet, stationary and office supplies, depreciation or purchase of office furniture, equipment such as computers, laptops and software. You can claim these one of two ways;
- Use the fixed rate (40 cents per hour), or
- Claim actual costs (if you’ve kept detailed records)
Tax time isn’t exactly fun, but it doesn’t have to be hard either — especially if you stay on top of receipts and know what you’re entitled to. And while this info is a good starting point, it’s general — so if you’re unsure, head to the ATO website or speak to a tax pro.