What can I claim without receipts?

You can claim up to $300 in work-related expenses without receipts. For laundry of occupation-specific clothing, up to $150 without a diary (but you must have legitimately spent the money). Work from home doesn't strictly require individual receipts under the fixed rate method, but you MUST keep a record of hours worked from home.

Can I claim my phone and internet?

Yes, the work-related portion. If you use your phone 40% for work and your bill is $100/month, you can claim $480/year. The $0.67/hr fixed rate for WFH already includes a phone/internet component, so don't double-claim. If using actual costs, keep an itemised bill and a 4-week diary to establish the work percentage.

Are study expenses deductible?

Yes, IF the study directly relates to your CURRENT employment — e.g., a nurse doing a specialized nursing course. NOT deductible: study for a new career (e.g., a nurse studying accounting). FEE-HELP fees are not deductible. Course fees, textbooks, stationery, and travel to attend are all deductible for qualifying study.

§ Tool · tier 2 · independent

Tax Deduction Finder.

Find tax deductions you might be missing based on your occupation and situation. AI-powered personalised deduction checklist for Australian taxpayers.

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The average Australian misses $1,000-$3,000 in legitimate tax deductions every year — that's $300-$1,000 left on the table at tax time. Most people know about the basics (work from home, car expenses) but miss the less obvious deductions specific to their occupation and situation. This AI-powered tool analyses your occupation, work arrangement, and investments to generate a personalised checklist of deductions you might be able to claim — complete with ATO-compliant rules and record-keeping requirements.

§ Worked examples

Real-world scenarios

IT Worker (Hybrid WFH)

Dev works in tech, hybrid 3 days at home/2 in office, earns $120,000. Currently claims only $500 in deductions.

Potential deductions: WFH ($0.67 × 7.6hrs × 156 days = $794), phone ($600 work portion), professional development ($1,500), subscriptions (GitHub, cloud = $400), home office equipment ($800 depreciation). Total: ~$4,094. Tax saving at 37%: $1,515. Dev was leaving $1,015 on the table.

Nurse with Investment Property

Sarah is an ED nurse earning $95,000 with an investment property. She claims $1,200 in uniforms and laundry.

Additional deductions: union/professional fees ($600), mandatory CPD courses ($1,200), stethoscope + equipment ($400), overtime meal expenses ($500), sun protection for outdoor shifts ($150). Investment property: interest, repairs, depreciation schedule (~$15,000). Total potentially missed: $17,850.

§ FAQ

Questions Australians ask

§ Glossary

Plain-English definitions

Tax Deduction

An expense you can subtract from your taxable income, reducing the amount of tax you owe. Deductions save you your marginal rate × deduction amount (e.g., $1,000 deduction at 30% = $300 tax saving).

Fixed Rate Method

A simplified way to claim work from home expenses at $0.67/hour (2022-23 onwards). Covers electricity, internet, phone, and stationery. Requires a record of actual hours worked from home.

Cents per Km Method

A simplified way to claim car expenses at $0.85/km for 2024-25, up to a maximum of 5,000km. Doesn't require detailed records but you must be able to justify the km claimed.

Substantiation

ATO requirement to prove deductions with records — receipts, invoices, bank statements, or diary entries. Required for claims over $300 total and for specific categories.

§ Pair it with

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Tax Refund Estimator

See how your deductions translate into a bigger refund.

Income Tax Calculator

Calculate your tax bracket to see how much deductions save you.

Negative Gearing Calculator

Property investors: see your total investment property deductions.

How to use

01Select your occupation — each has specific eligible deductions.
02Indicate your work-from-home arrangement.
03Note whether you use your car for work-related travel.
04Select any investments you hold (generates investment deductions).
05Enter your income so we can calculate the dollar value of deductions.
06Get a personalised deduction checklist with estimated tax savings.

Key info

You can claim up to $300 in work deductions without receipts — but you must have actually spent the money.
Work from home: $0.67/hour fixed rate method (covers electricity, internet, phone, stationery) OR actual cost method with records.
Car expenses: $0.85/km (up to 5,000 km) using the cents per km method OR logbook method for higher claims.
The ATO uses data analytics to flag claims that are higher than the average for your occupation — keep records!

Pro tips

Download the ATO's myDeductions app to track expenses year-round — receipts fade and memories are unreliable.
If you work from home, photograph your home office setup and keep your electricity/internet bills — even for the fixed rate method.
Union fees, professional memberships, and industry subscriptions are all deductible — check if you're in a union.
Don't forget self-education: courses related to your current job are deductible. Career changes are NOT.

Avoid these

Claiming the commute from home to work — this is NOT deductible unless you carry bulky tools or have multiple workplaces.
Over-claiming work from home hours — the ATO can check this against your employer's records.
Claiming the entire cost of shared items (e.g., internet, phone) — you can only claim the work-related portion.
Not keeping records for claims over $300 — the ATO can (and does) audit, and penalties apply for false claims.

Disclaimer: Estimates only. Interest rates, fees and policies change frequently. Always verify with lenders directly. General information, not personal financial advice.

Last updated · February 2026