The everyday items helping Aussies save hundreds at tax time - but you'll need to act fast
- Aussies can claim common workplace items on their end of year tax return
- Items from Amazon like phones, furniture and accessories can be claimed
- Products need to be purchased before June 30 to qualify for tax deductions
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Did you know that there's an easy way to get money back at tax time? But millions of Aussies are missing out on hundreds of dollars due to not knowing one simple trick.
The end of the tax year is on 30 June, so you've only got a short time left to take advantage of this hack.
If you're one of the millions of Australians who needs to submit a tax return, you may not be aware of all the useful items you can claim against your tax.
Have you recently got a new mouse, a laptop case or a desk for your home office? As long as you have the receipt, you can claim that at tax time.
And the good news is, items used for working need to be bought in this tax year, so you've still got time to snap up last minute essentials that you'll be able to include on your tax return.
In addition to physical items, you can even claim a work from home allowance, or a percentage of your phone and internet bill, when it's being used for business.
One of the most useful items you can claim are bags - specifically handbags, laptop cases and satchels, as long as they're primarily used for work.
That means carrying only your work supplies in the bag, and any lunch, beauty essentials or personal items elsewhere, but it could be worth it for a little extra money in your pocket at the end of the financial year.
While you can claim small essentials, like office supplies and accessories, you can also instantly submit claims against items up to $300 related to your job.
Stationery essentials such as pens, notebooks and printer ink can be claimed back on tax provided you have purchased them for work
Still confused? Here's an example: you buy an ergonomic chair to use while working from home for $300 - you can instantly claim this in your tax return.
And that's a whopping $300 per item, so if you have your eye on bigger products to level up your home office setup, now is the time to shop.
Once you submit your tax return, the ATO will assess your claim and give you a percentage of the money back, or deducted from your tax bill if you're self-employed.
But what if you've bought something bigger, that costs more than $300? Items over this amount can still be claimed, but it's based on their depreciating value.
The ATO calculates the lifespan of different items - for example, a laptop may be five years and you must claim evenly over that time, so you could claim $200 against it for the next five years.
If you're not certain what you're allowed to claim, it's a good idea to have a thorough read of the ATO website which details the various items and rules surrounding how to claim.
Items that fall under these rules can include phones, laptops, hard drives, desk furniture and stationery, meaning you could be missing out at tax time on items you've been buying anyway.
However, there are a few important things to stay aware of to ensure you're compliant with the ATO's regulations on what can be claimed.
Office furniture and even accessories for tradies, like work gloves, fall under the items you can claim at the end of the tax year when submitting your tax return
To take advantage of any benefits, it's essential to always keep receipts for purchases and records, such as a diary, of your usage, otherwise your claim won't be accepted.
This is valuable knowledge for everyone, but even more useful if you work from home or are self-employed, as what you can claim often ties directly into your job role.
Here are some of the best products to consider buying ahead of filing your tax return on 30 June that could let you benefit from the ATO rules.
Please note, this article and the products listed within are suggestions, not financial advice. Please visit the official ATO website for accurate information on submitting a tax return and what you can claim.
Gadgets and tech
Long-lasting, stylish and affordable, this Motorola makes for the perfect work phone, featuring a high quality camera, all your favourite apps and superfast performance.
The ideal laptop for on to go, this Asus Chromebook is lightweight and superfast. Operating on Chrome gives you access to Google's best features, apps and updates.
For something more portable than a laptop, this Samsung Galaxy tablet can fit in any bag. Write, work and create on the move with access to apps, 128GB of storage and a high-quality display.
An essential for any Mac user, this wireless rechargeable mouse is super fast and instinctive, allowing you to set up and work from anywhere. Intuitive scrolling and a one month charge ensures this will be a work essential.
Was $149
If you can't risk skimping on ultra-fsat processing speeds and protecting your files, the SanDisk SSD helps you transfer files in no time, every time. Hard-wearing and pocket-sized, it's designed to last, for maximum storage wherever you go.
Home office
For the ultimate home office setup, this ergonomic desk chair comes in a variety of colours and is designed to support your spine while working. Lumbar support, a headrest and adjustable heigh means all day while you work.
If you always find yourself working on the go or from the sofa, this lap desk is set up with space to hold a laptop, phone and mouse. It's bolstered with an underneath cushion and designed with a hard but breathable material to avoid overheating.
If it's time to upgrade your desk, this simple desk comes in multiple styles including white and wood grain. It's compact, functional and fits all your essentials, perfect for any small home office space.
This lamp provides three colour modes to keep your workspace well lit, and is dimmable for evening use. It has a flexible neck allowing you to direct the light and a strong C-clamp allows it to be fixed to a variety of work surfaces.
Was $32.99
Accessories & stationery
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