Teachers Tax Return Canberra

A range of Tax Deductions Available to Teachers

The Education Department is a large and continually growing industry, with Teaching being a popular and highly sort-after profession in Canberra. At MAS Tax Accountants Canberra, we specialise in Tax Returns and advice for Teachers, and can help you to better manage and understand your tax responsibilities. Our Teachers Tax Return Canberra services cover a wide range of tax considerations, which can help you legally maximise your tax return by claiming all of your eligible deductions. There are many common expenses that go unclaimed, such as travel expenses, work uniforms, home office supplies and other work-related costs.

At MAS Tax Accountants Canberra, our expert team can assist you in the preparation and processing of your tax return, and ensure that you remain organised throughout the year. We have complied a quick cheat sheet of the most commonly missed tax deductions for Teachers and Educations Professionals. These include:

Travel Expenses

If you incur work-related travel expenses and are not reimbursed by your employer, you may be able to claim some travel costs back on tax. There are many common travel-related tax deductions that may apply to you, such as school excursions and travelling between school extra-curricular activities. This could include the cost of meal, transport and accommodation, if it was a paid from your personal account and you were not later reimbursed.

You can also claim the associated costs of travelling to attend training courses, seminars or meetings that are not at your usual place of work. This includes some fuel costs, parking, toll ways and public transport passes. However, you will need to properly record these expenses, by keeping a logbook, work diary and receipts.

Certain costs from interstate or abroad work-related travel can also be claimed as a tax deduction on your Teachers Tax Return Canberra. To be able to claim these allowances, you will need to prove that the travel meets the necessary conditions for being work-related, such as to enhance the quality of teaching. You will need to retain work diaries or receipts to show that the trip was required by your job and was not a personal holiday.

Uniform and Protective Clothing:

If you are required to wear a compulsory uniform or clothing which includes the school logo, and it is purchased at your own cost without reimbursement, it can be claimed as a tax deduction. Some associated costs, such as cleaning and laundry can also be claimed.

If your job requires you to frequently work outdoors with the students, you may also be able to claim the appropriate UV protection costs, such as hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. Furthermore, protective clothing such as lab coats, gum boots or goggles may also be tax deductible, if they are a direct requirement for your job.

Some of these costs may seem small, but they all add up. Our Teachers Tax Return Canberra services can help you to claim all your eligible tax deductions and help you to legally maximise your return.

Training and Self-Education:

There are several training and self-education costs that you may be eligible to claim, depending on your circumstances. Some general requirements to be able to claim self-education expenses as deductions can be found at the ATO website.

A self-education expense that often affects teachers and education professionals, is advancement courses or degrees. University, TAFE or third-party education courses that are directly related to your current job or needed for new work responsibilities are tax deductible. You can claim most of the associated self-education costs, such as course fees, textbooks, stationery and certain travel expenses. If you are required to stay away overnight for the training course, you may also be able to claim the travel, accommodation and meal expenses. Like any other travel expense, you must keep a logbook of your travel and related receipts, and not have been later reimbursed by your employer.

If any unexpected but necessary expenses incurred while attending your work-related training course, such as simple first aid requirements or OH&S, these may also be claimed. Please speak with your Accountant for more personalised advice and full overview of your Teachers Tax Return Canberra services.

Home Office Expenses:

Teaching is a busy, full-on job, and it is very common for teachers to bring work home with them. Many of our clients who are teachers, often share stories of needing to complete their work at home, such as to do marking and preparing lesson plans.

If you have a dedicated working space, you may be able to claim certain home office tax deductions. This could include an office or study room, or a desk containing your work materials. For substantiation purposes, you will need to keep a logbook or detailed notes of your home working hours for a 4-week period. This can then be used as the basis to calculate your hours for the rest of the year.

As of April 2017, the rate for home office “running” costs, as opposed to occupancy costs, is 45 cents per working hours. This costs that can be tax deductible and you may be able to claim, include:

Home office expenses, such as stationary and printing
A percentage of your electricity, heating and cooling costs
A percentage of your internet and phone costs

It is important to keep in mind that you will need to record and retain the related receipts, invoices, logbooks and work diaries from your work-related expenses as evidence to be able to claim them as tax deductions.

It is easy to keep a proper record of your receipts, by using a binder for paper records or saving electronic copies to your laptop. If you are not sure if a work-related expense is tax deductible, it is recommended that you keep a record and ask your Accountant.

For more information on Teachers Tax Return Canberra and the tax deductions you may be able to claim, please visit the ATO website or speak to MAS Tax Accountants Canberra.

Always consult with your Accountant in regards to your tax deductions and allowances. Speak to the team at MAS Tax Accountants Canberra to receive personalised, up-to-date tax advice before processing your tax return.

At MAS Tax Accountants Canberra, we can assist you to manage all your tax commitments and ensure that you receive the best possible return this Tax Season. Providing flexible appointment options, we can tailor our services to suit your busy lifestyle. Including after-hour appointments and we can also visit you at your home or office.