I’m a tradie. What tax deductions can I claim? People who work in a trade such as builders, plumbers and electricians to name a few, often pay for work-related expenses out of their own pockets. And when you’re working long hours or busy meeting deadlines, it doesn’t leave you much time or energy to think […]
The Etax Blog: Tax Tips
Top 3 Missed Tax Deductions
A great way to increase your annual tax refund is to claim tax deductions. People often ask us what tax deductions people often miss out on, so here is a quick list that might help boost your tax refund this year. Avoid these 3 commonly missed tax deductions… 1. Claim Union and Registration Fees Do […]
GST changes may impact your overseas online shopping
The Australian Government is attempting to level the playing field between Australian and overseas retailers with proposed GST changes effective from 1 July 2017. Here’s what you need to know. Australians are increasingly turning to overseas sellers when they shop online to access cheaper prices and a larger variety of goods and speciality items. The government […]
Income Protection Insurance is your safety net, with a tax-deductible perk!
It’s natural for us to want to protect everything we care about. So, why don’t more of us protect our income? Many of us insure our cars, our houses and our possessions, but how many of us protect our weekly income with income protection insurance? The answer is, no many! In fact, when we surveyed taxpayer data we discovered that […]
Private Health and Your Taxes: “Should I get Private Health Cover?”
There is a lot of debate in the media about the pros and cons of private health insurance. People are often asking, “Should I get private health cover?” Opinions about private health cover are changing. Saving money when it comes to tax time is an important part of the decision. According to Australian consumer watchdog, Choice, cheaper […]
Sun Protection Tax Deductions: Are you covered?
There are many professions that require employees to work in the sun for periods of time. With sun exposure one of the key causes of cancer in Australia, sun protection is an absolute necessity for these people. However, sunglasses, sunscreen and protective head gear can end up costing a lot of money. So what can you do? If you’re […]
Tax Deductions for University Students – What can I claim
Uni students can sometimes claim great tax deductions during their degrees and qualifications if they meet certain criteria. In this post we’ll discuss tax deductions for uni students – and outline some expenses you are not allowed to claim. It’s worth noting straight away that in order to claim any kind of tax deduction, you […]
Overseas HELP Debt – What is it?
The ATO implemented formal changes to how they recover “overseas HELP debt”. So, if you have lived overseas for more than 6 months and have a HELP debt, you may need to make HELP repayments How does the ATO recover HELP debts? Prior to 2017, Australians with a HELP or TSL debt did not have […]
Pilot and Cabin Crew Tax Deductions
We explore tax deductions for cabin crew and pilots. What if there wasn’t a welcoming cabin crew with huge smiles when we board an airplane? Where would we all be without that extra pillow, hot meal, or glass of wine to ease the tedium of being squeezed into an area the size of a cat bed for hours […]
What do I need to know about Superannuation rules?
Your employer sets aside a portion of your income as superannuation, for you to access when you retire. Strict superannuation rules and mandatory fund contributions have put Australians’ retirement savings ahead of people in many other countries that have no required retirement contributions. Superannuation is fairly straightforward for most of us who earn a wage […]
Claiming laptop on tax – what you need to know…
Many of us work after hours at home or spend a portion of our week working from home. Quite often you might use our own equipment for this, especially if you don’t have a work laptop or removing it from the office poses a security risk. If this is this case for you, it’s likely you […]
Retail Worker Tax Deductions: What can you claim? (With Case Studies)
Putting the spotlight on tax deductions for retail staff Retail employees like sales assistants, store managers, suppliers and buyers often ask us what tax deductions for retail they should claim on their annual tax return. If you work in a retail shop, there are a lot of tax deductions you might be able to claim. Many […]
Claim personal grooming expenses as tax deductions
Do you have to pay for make up or other personal grooming expenses? If these purchases are essential for your job, you may be able to claim your money back at tax time. When we’re in the public eye at work, we all want to feel like we are well presented or reflect the role […]
Zone Tax Offset: Do you live in a remote area?
What is a zone tax offset? The zone tax offset is a tax concession offset offered by the Australian Tax Office for people who live in remote areas of Australia. This offset helps cover the higher cost of living, amenities and other environmental factors associated with remote living. The zone tax offset can provide significant […]
Overseas Forces Tax Offset: Are you claiming yours?
A question we often hear from people who have worked or are working overseas in the Australian Defence Force is: Am I eligible to receive an overseas forces tax offset when lodging my tax return The answer is YES as long as you meet certain criteria. How can I claim the overseas forces tax offset? […]
