What Can I Claim on Tax Without Receipts? Here’s What the ATO Actually Allows

• 8 min read • Business Tax, Personal Tax
receipts

Every year, thousands of Australians wonder if they can claim a few tax deductions here and there without needing to keep a shoebox full of receipts.

The good news? You can.
The better news? The ATO has laid out exactly when that’s okay—and when it’s not.

Whether you’ve lost a receipt, made small work-related purchases throughout the year, or just don’t know where to start, this guide will walk you through what you can legally claim on tax without receipts, and how to make sure those claims hold up if the ATO comes knocking.

Understanding the $300 No-Receipt Rule

Let’s start with the rule most people have heard of: the $300 work-related expense threshold.

The ATO allows you to claim up to $300 in work-related expenses without providing receipts. But (and it’s a big but), this isn’t a blank cheque.

You still need to:

  • Have personally paid for the expenses
  • Not have been reimbursed
  • Ensure they directly relate to your job
  • Be able to explain how you calculated the amount

This rule applies to all work-related expenses combined, not per item. So, if you spent $100 on work-from-home stationery, $120 on office supplies, and $80 on protective gear, you can claim the $300 total without receipts—as long as you can reasonably demonstrate the spending.

For more, see the ATO’s guidance on how to claim deductions.

Pro Tax Tip: If your total work-related expenses are more than $300, you must provide receipts for the entire amount—not just the amount over $300.

Common Tax Deductions You Can Claim Without Receipts

While you’ll always be in safer territory with documentation, here are a few deductions the ATO explicitly allows without receipts—as long as you meet the conditions.

Laundry Expenses (Up to $150)

If you wash, dry, or iron eligible work clothing, such as uniforms or protective wear, you can claim up to $150 per year without written evidence.

How it works:

  • $1 per load if the load only contains work clothing
  • $0.50 per load if it’s a mixed load with personal clothing

Keep a simple record of your loads per week and the types of clothes washed to support your claim.

Full details on laundry claims here.

Small Work Expenses (Under $10, Up to $200 Total)

If you bought work-related items under $10 each (think notebooks, pens, USB sticks, etc.), and the total across the year is under $200, you don’t need a receipt. But you do need to:

  • Note what the item was
  • Record the date and cost
  • Explain how it related to your job

Keeping a digital log or diary works well here.

Car Expenses (Cents per Kilometre Method)

If you use your car for work-related travel (excluding commuting), you can claim up to 5,000 km per year without receipts using the cents per kilometre method.

For the 2024–25 tax year, the rate is 88 cents per kilometre.

To claim:

  • You must own the car
  • Travel must be for work (not getting to and from your regular office)
  • You need a reasonable estimate of your travel, such as a diary or logbook

You Don’t Need Receipts—But You Do Need Records

The ATO is clear: even if you’re not required to keep receipts, you must still keep records. If you can’t produce a paper receipt, you can usually still back up your claim with:

  • Bank or credit card statements
  • Invoices or confirmation emails
  • Diary entries with dates and details
  • Photographs of items
  • Copies of warranty or user manuals

If you’re claiming uniform expenses, for example, a payslip noting uniform allowances or a photo of you wearing the uniform can help support your claim.

Here’s what the ATO says about record-keeping requirements.

Pro Tax Tip: Store all receipts and documentation digitally using the ATO’s myDeductions app or a spreadsheet synced with cloud storage.

Claims That Do Require Receipts

Not everything gets a free pass. Some deductions are too complex or variable to claim without proper documentation. These include:

  • Travel expenses (flights, accommodation, meals)
  • Overtime meal claims
  • Work-related phone or internet usage over the flat rate threshold
  • Depreciation on equipment over $300
  • Self-education expenses
  • Tools and tech (computers, cameras, etc.) costing more than $300
  • Donations (unless under $2 and bucket-based)

If your job involves regular travel, working from multiple sites, or large one-off purchases, you’ll need proper records to support your claim.

How to Stay Organised (and Audit-Ready)

Let’s be real: nobody enjoys tracking receipts or logging work mileage. But getting into the habit now can save you hours (and hundreds of dollars) come tax time.

Tools to Try:

  • myDeductions: The official ATO app. Easy, free, and ATO-approved.
  • Expensify / Receipts by Wave: Good for small business owners or tradies.
  • Google Sheets or Excel: Old-school, but effective. Keep it in the cloud so it doesn’t disappear with your laptop.

Tips to Remember:

  • Snap a photo of every receipt as soon as you get it.
  • Keep a running diary of travel days and locations.
  • Create a folder in your inbox for invoices and purchase confirmations.
  • Review your expenses monthly rather than leaving it all until June.

For more smart tax tips, check out ITP’s blog on tax record-keeping.

When It’s Time to Call in the Experts

If your expenses are straightforward and under the ATO thresholds, you might not need help filing your return. But if:

  • Your total work-related deductions exceed $300,
  • You’re juggling multiple income streams or side hustles,
  • You’re claiming car use, home office costs, or depreciation,
  • Or you just want to make sure you’re getting it right—

…it’s worth speaking to a tax pro.

ITP’s team of experienced tax agents can help you:

  • Maximise your tax refund
  • Identify deductions you might be missing
  • Avoid ATO red flags
  • Keep everything compliant and audit-proof

Ready to take the guesswork out of your tax return? Book an appointment with ITP and let us sort it out for you.

Claim Smarter, Not Riskier

Yes, you can claim some tax deductions without receipts—but that doesn’t mean you can be careless. The ATO wants to see that you understand what you’re claiming, why you’re claiming it, and how you calculated it. Vague guesswork or “everyone claims it” logic won’t fly.

By knowing the rules, using the available tools, and getting expert help when needed, you can claim with confidence—and potentially pocket more come tax time.

Looking for more ways to reduce your tax bill this year? Check out our latest tax-saving strategies on the blog.