Tax deductions for office and admin workers
If you work in an office or from home in an admin, finance, HR or corporate role, here is what you can usually claim.
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The 3 golden rules
💳 You paid for it
You spent the money yourself and were not reimbursed by your employer.
💼 It is for work
It is directly related to earning your income, not private use.
🧾 You have a record
Keep receipts, invoices, bank records, a diary or a logbook.
If something is used for both work and private purposes, you can only claim the work-related part.
Common deductions for office and admin workers
🏠 Working from home
Running costs like electricity and internet, using the fixed rate or actual cost method.
💻 Computer & equipment
The work-use part. Items over $300 are claimed over time.
🪑 Home office furniture
Desks and chairs used for work are claimed over time.
📱 Phone & internet
The work-use part.
🎓 Self-education
Courses related to your current role.
👥 Memberships
Professional association and union fees.
Usually NOT deductible
- Travel between home and your normal workplace (in most cases)
- Normal clothes, even if your employer asks you to wear them (e.g. black pants and a white shirt)
- Haircuts, make-up, grooming and gym fees
- Fines, child care and private expenses
- Anything your employer paid for or reimbursed
- Coffee, tea and snacks for your home office
- Business clothes, even if your workplace is formal
Records to keep
- Receipts and invoices for every work expense
- Your income statement from myGov
- A logbook or diary of work car trips
- A record of hours worked from home
- Phone and internet bills with your work-use percentage worked out
How UV TAX can help
- We check every deduction you are entitled to – and nothing you are not
- Lodge in person in Truganina or Point Cook, or 100% online
- Free consultation and fixed-fee quote before we start
- Catch up on late or past returns
⚠️ General information only – not tax advice. Deductions depend on your own circumstances, your employer's policies and any allowances or reimbursements you receive. This is a general list only. This page is a simple overview as at November 2026 and does not consider your personal circumstances. Laws, rates and thresholds change, and outcomes are decided by the tax office – UV TAX cannot guarantee any result. Please get advice for your situation before acting.
Lodge your tax return with UV TAX
Free consultation and a fixed-fee quote before we start.
0466 268 405Frequently asked questions
Can I claim without receipts?
You need records for your claims. For some small claims, like laundry, other evidence may be accepted, but it is always best to keep receipts.
Can I claim the cost of getting to work?
Usually not. Travel between home and your normal workplace is private. There are limited exceptions, for example carrying bulky tools with no secure storage at work.
Can I claim working from home?
If you work from home for your job, you can usually claim using the fixed rate method (a set rate per hour) or the actual cost method. You need a record of the hours you worked from home.
How much does a tax return for office workers cost at UV TAX?
We give you a free, fixed-fee quote before we start. Call 0466 268 405.
Related
General information current as at November 2026.