At the end of the tax year, you can claim expenses depending on what type of income you receive.
Claiming expenses reduces your income, which lowers the total amount of tax you need to pay. It’s important to claim the correct expenses to make sure you pay the right amount of tax at the end of the year.
If you're in business, including self employed or working as a contractor, you may be able to claim expenses like your home office, your car, depreciation and environmental costs.
If you own a rental property, you may have expenses related to its upkeep.
Renting out residential property
If you are not in business
If you only earn income that's already taxed like salary, wages or investment income, then there are several sorts of non-business expenses you can claim.
- You can claim the cost for someone to complete and file your income tax return or assessment. For example, any amount you paid an accountant or tax agent.
- You can claim the cost of income protection insurance if the insurance payout would be taxable. Ask your insurance provider if your income protection insurance is deductible (can be claimed as an expense). This is also called 'loss of earnings' insurance.
- You can claim any commission you were charged on your income from interest and dividends, except bank fees.
- You can claim interest on money you’ve borrowed to buy shares or to invest, as long as that investment will produce taxable income.
- You can claim interest you’ve paid to us for late payment of tax. You must claim this in the income year that you paid it.
These expenses can be claimed in your end of year assessment under 'non business expenses'. If you receive an automatic income tax assessment, you can add these expenses in myIR.
You may be asked to provide proof, for example invoices from an accountant or a receipt for income protection insurance.