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Tax Tips for Electricians

Amp up your tax refund with these tax deductions...

Tax deductions Electricians may be able to claim on their online income tax return

Motor Vehicle Expenses​

You can claim a tax deduction for your motor vehicle if:

  • You are driving from your workplace to another workplace (e.g. picking up tools from the tool shop, travelling to another jobsite etc.)
  • You are driving between separate workplaces (e.g. to a second job)
  • Travel to and from work if you have to carry bulky tools and there is no safe place to leave them at work.

*to claim your car expenses you need to keep a 12 week consecutive logbook to work out your work-related
percentage, or you need to keep a record of the kilometres travelled to claim using the cents per kilometre method.

Protective Clothing & Laundry​

  • If you had to buy protective clothing for work e.g.

Hard hats, protective pants to prevent electrical sparks, gloves, high vis wear, boots, safety glasses etc. You can claim the cost of the clothing plus laundry expenses.

You can also claim the cost of purchasing and washing uniforms that have your company’s logo attached.

Phone & Internet Expenses

  • You can claim the work-related portion of your internet and phone usage if your boss needs you to use your personal devices for work.

*Keep a one month logbook of the personal and business use to apportion the work use at tax time.

Other Common Work-Related Expenses

  • Tools & Equipment* (Toolkits, Drills, Hammers, Multimeters, Electrical Testing Kits, etc.)

Your Sparky toolbox might include...

Multimeters
Electrical Testing Kits
Electric Drills
Wire/Cable Lugs
Wire Strippers
Coax Connectors

Fishing Rods (We're not joking!) 
Splicing connectors
Circuit Finders
Torches

The toolbox your tools are carried in

Got receipts? Claim it! 

  • Training courses (directly related to your current role)
  • Income Protection Insurance
  • Sun Protection e.g. Sunglasses, Sunscreen etc. (If you work outside)
  • Electrical Licenses, Permits, Certificate Fees (not your drivers licence)
  • Travel & Accommodation expenses If working away from home.

*Computers, Laptops or Equipment that cost over $300 will have to spread the tax deduction over a few years.

Remember the ATO’s 3 Golden Rules for claiming a tax deduction:

  • You must have spent the money yourself and weren’t reimbursed
  • It must be directly related to earning your income
  • You must have a record to prove it
  • DOWNLOAD DEDUCTION GRABBER!

    Deduction Grabber Screen

    Your FREE app to track your work related expenses, take photos of receipts and record your car kilometres! 

    Deduction Grabber on the Google Play app store to record tax deductions 
    Deduction Grabber on the App store to record tax deduction

Our Blogs - 

What can tradies claim on their tax return?

Can I Claim my Uniform on my Tax Return?

Can I Claim Driving to work on my Tax?

Lemon Tax Rules