Retail Worker

If you're a retail worker, it pays to know what tax deductions you can claim at tax time. This information will help you to work out what:

income and allowances to report
you can and can't claim as a work-related deduction
records you need to keep.

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Deductions you can claim

Car Expenses

You can claim the cost of using a car you own when you drive:

between separate jobs on the same day – for example, travelling to your second job as a waiter
to and from an alternate workplace for the same employer on the same day – for example, driving between separate retail stores for the same employer.

If you claim car expenses, you can use the logbook method or the cents per kilometre method. If you use the logbook method, you need to keep a valid logbook to determine the percentage of work-related use of your car along with evidence of your car expenses. If you use the cents per kilometre method, you need to be able to show how you calculated your work-related kilometres and be able to show that those kilometres were work related.

You generally can’t claim the cost of trips between home and work, even if you live a long way from your usual workplace or have to work outside normal business hours – eg late night shopping or weekend shifts.

If you claim car expenses, you need to keep a logbook to determine the work-related percentage, or be able to demonstrate to the ATO a reasonable calculation if you use the cents per kilometre method to claim.’

Clothing Expenses

You can claim a deduction for the cost of buying, hiring, mending or cleaning certain uniforms that are unique and distinctive to your job, or protective clothing that your employer requires you to wear.

You can’t claim a deduction for the cost of buying or cleaning plain clothing worn at work, even if your employer tells you to wear it, and even if you only wear it for work, eg, black pants and a white shirt or everyday clothing—even if it’s sold at the store you work for.

Meal Expenses

You can claim a deduction for the cost of overtime meals on those occasions where:

you worked overtime and took an overtime meal break, and
your employer paid you an overtime meal allowance under an industrial law, award or agreement.

You can’t claim a deduction for the cost of meals eaten during a normal working day as it is a private expense, even if you receive an allowance to cover the meal expense.

Self-Education Expenses

Other Common Deductible Work-Related Expenses

As long as the expense relates to your employment, you can claim a deduction for the work-related portion of the cost of:

seminars and conferences
technical or professional publications
union and professional association fees
phone and internet usage if your employer needs you to use your personal devices for work.

You can’t claim a deduction for hairdressing, cosmetics, hair and skin care products, even if your employer tells you to use them and you work in a store that sells them – they are personal expenses.

To claim a deduction
for work-related expenses

You can only claim the work-related part of expenses. You can't claim a deduction for any part of the expense that relates to personal use.

You must have a record to prove it.

You must have spent the money yourself and weren't reimbursed

It must be directly related to earning your income

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