Claiming Telephone Expenses: The Basics

Your phone is probably glued to your hand—but if you use it to earn your income, you might be able to glue some tax deductions to your return too. Let Gotax break it down for you.

What Can You Claim?

You can claim the work-related portion of your phone costs—mobile or landline—if you use it for:

• Making or receiving work calls are tax deductions

• Sending work-related texts are tax deductions

• Using data for business apps, emails, or research

What You Can’t Claim

• Private calls, texts, and doomscrolling sessions

• If you only use it to check your roster or talk to your boss, no claim for you

• Anything your boss has already reimbursed

How to Work Out the Work-Related Portion

You need a reasonable method to split work from personal use. Most go with:

• A 4-week log: Track all calls, texts, and data (work vs personal)

• Work out the percentage that’s for work

• Apply that percentage to your total bill

Example: If 20% of your use is work-related and your annual phone bill is $600, you can claim $120.

What Records You Need

• That magical 4-week log or diary

• Phone bills or prepaid recharge receipts

• If you claim more than $50? You better have those detailed records ready!

Common Traps

• No log, no love: The ATO won’t believe you without proof

• Whole bill? Only if it’s 100% work—and let’s be honest, that’s rare

• Employer paid? You can’t double dip

• Fixed rate claim? Phone use might already be bundled in, so don’t double-claim

• Use the Gotax Deduction Grabber to track all your phone useage.

• Download now Deduction Grabber 

FAQs

Q: Can I claim a tax deduction if I only use my phone for work sometimes?
A: Yep, but only the work bit. Keep a log.

Q: I’m on prepaid. Can I still claim a tax deduction?
A: Absolutely. Keep receipts, work out the work percentage, and claim that portion.

Q: Can I claim a new phone as a tax deduction?
A: Yes, but only the work portion. If it costs over $300, you claim depreciation over a few years.

Q: What if I use it for work and home?
A: Then you split the usage and claim only the work bit.

GoTax—We Know Tax Deductions Inside and Out

Don’t hang up on potential tax savings. At GoTax, we make online tax returns easy, fast, and seriously affordable. We’ll help you work out what to claim, how much to claim, and make sure your return gets a professional check before it hits the ATO.

Say goodbye to tax stress and hello to the fastest tax return experience in Australia.

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