As tax time looms, the ATO has pointed to several key ineligible work from home claims that it will be watching closely as taxpayers look to make the most of flexible working arrangements.
Whilst the temporary shortcut method will remain some expenses cannot be claimed through any method, for example:
- personal expenses like coffee, tea and toilet paper (and apparently Tim Tams!) cannot be claimed
- expenses related to a child's education - like online learning courses, or laptops
- rent, mortgage interest, property insurance or other land taxes and rates can not be claimed
Claiming occupancy expenses could expose some taxpayers to Capital Gains tax when they leave their homes
If you decide not to use the simplified 80c/hour claim method, make sure you have good records.
For more, see here.
Please note: The ATO has also signalled that work-related car expense claims - which have been closely scrutinised over recent years - will again be on their radar. They make the point that they are " still concerned that some taxpayers aren't getting the message that overclaiming will be detected, and if it is deliberate, penalties will apply."
