ARTICLE

Things You Never Knew You Could Claim On Tax

February 5, 2024 – 5 min read

We all want to maximise our tax returns. And while you might be well aware that you can claim things like home office expenses or charity donations at tax time, these aren’t all you could be getting a tidy return on at the end of the financial year (EOFY). There’s a range of little-known deductions claimed by Australians every year – and some of them might apply to you.

Finance expert Katie Cunningham goes over some big tax claims you won’t want to miss, like a new mobile phone or tech products, as well as some unusual tax claims you need to know about- all hot tickets in
The Good Guys EOFY Sale.

Want to make the most of tax time? Find out more about the EOFY sale here

Vacuum Cleaners

If you work as a cleaner, or run a home business like a hair salon that you need to keep tidy, tools such as vacuum cleaners can be claimed on tax. As with any deduction, if you’re using your Dyson both at home and at work, for example, you can only claim a portion of the cost.

Shop Vacuum Cleaners Here

Dyson V15 Detect Absolute Cordless Vacuum
LG A9 CordZero Prime Stick Vacuum

Shark Detect Pro Auto Empty System Cordless Vacuum

“If you work as a cleaner, or run a home business like a hair salon that you need to keep tidy, tools like vacuum cleaners can be claimed on tax.”

Computer Tech

If you are self-employed, work from home or study in a field related to your employment, you can claim the cost of your computer at tax time. Tablets, printers, and accessories such as keyboards and mice are all fair game as well.

Again, to be eligible, you must genuinely use your computer for work – and if you also use it for private purposes, you can only claim a percentage of its cost.

Best Ways To Maximise Your Tax Back Under $1000

Looking to invest in a home office upgrade? The EOFY sale is the time to do it. Try these top ideas:

The Dell 24” FHD Monitor, which lets you create the ergonomic WFH set-up you deserve. Simply plug your laptop in and get to work.
The Canon Pixma Home Inkjet MFC Printer, which has a built-in copier, so you can also photocopy textbooks at home.
The Bonelk Stance Laptop Stand, which is easily transportable if you’re working between the desk, kitchen bench and dining room table.

Top Pick: The Del 24" FHD Monitor

Best Ways To Maximise Your Tax Back Over $1000

If you’re expecting a bigger tax return, there’s a lot of great ways to spend your refund:

The Apple iPhone 15 128GB, which comes with a big boost in battery life to see you all the way through a busy work day of calls and emails.
The Lenovo Yoga 7i EVO 14" Touchscreen i7 2-in-1 Laptop, which transitions seamlessly from a laptop to a canvas you can draw, sketch and take notes on as you would on paper.
The Netgear Orbi AX6000 TriBand Mesh WiFi 6 (2 Pack), for powerful internet at home or in your small business office.

Top Pick: The Apple iPhone 15 128GB

Mobile Phone

If you use your mobile phone for work and your employer isn’t already reimbursing you, you can claim some of the cost of both the handset and your phone bills. To be able to include the cost of a new phone on your next tax return, buy it on or before June 30 and hold onto your receipt.

Remember, if you’re using your phone for personal and work reasons, you’ll need to apportion your claim. But this is one expense most professionals are eligible for, so be sure to chat to your tax agent about it.

Shop Mobile Phones Here

Apple iPhone 15 Pro 256GB

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra 8/256GB

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 256GB

Things You Never Knew Your Could Claim On Tax

Of course, there must be a legitimate business reason for any tax claim. But with the right documentation, professionals in certain industries can claim some very interesting expenses.

So, what are the most surprising tax deductions out there?

Handbags

It sounds too good to be true, but it isn’t. If you’re using a handbag – or a briefcase, satchel or laptop bag – to carry your computer to work, then you can claim it on tax.

This deduction applies to a range of industries. To be eligible, you just have to be able to demonstrate that the bag is legitimately used specifically for work. If you’re using the bag both at work and when you’re off duty, you can claim a smaller percentage of the bag’s cost – this is known as ‘apportioning’. Before you run to the Gucci store, keep in mind that the bag has to be practical in nature, and it can’t be used predominantly to carry your personal items, such as a lunchbox or your makeup.

Magazine Subscriptions

Claiming a year-long subscription to Vogue on tax? It can be done. If you work in the media or publishing industries, you can claim magazine subscriptions as a business expense. In fact, media types get a lot of fun tax perks – including the ability to claim movie tickets, books, and the cost of streaming services like Netflix.

Dogs

Okay, so your family pooch can’t be claimed on tax. But if you need a dog for work – this mainly applies to professions like security guards and farmers – then the ongoing expenses related to its care are a legitimate business expense.

The government won’t reimburse you for the initial cost of the dog, but you can claim the money you spend on its food, veterinarian bills and registration.

Art Works

Do you own a business? If you’ve bought works of art to decorate your shop or board room, then you could claim their cost at tax time. You just must be able to prove the piece was purchased with the purpose of being displayed in a business premise.

Don’t forget to check out more EOFY tips here

Whatever your needs this financial year, The Good Guys is here to help with expert advice, the biggest brands and the best deals. See us in store or online to save in our EOFY sale.