Maximise Your Tax Deductions: Claim More, Stress Less

Published: May 2025

Let’s face it — tax isn’t exciting, but refunds? Now we’re talking.

If you’re lodging your tax return and want to squeeze every legal dollar out of it (without crossing into dodgy territory), this guide is your new best mate. We’ll show you how to get your hard-earned money back where it belongs: your pocket.

1. Understand What You Can Claim

The golden rule: If it helps you earn your income and you paid for it yourself (and weren’t reimbursed), chances are it’s claimable.

Common work-related deductions include:

• Uniforms with logos or protective gear

• Work-related phone and internet use

• Tools, equipment, or software

• Courses that maintain or improve your current job skills

• Travel between worksites (not home-to-work)

More on claiming deductions

2. Keep Solid Records (Without the Paper Cuts)

You don’t need a filing cabinet from 1998. Just keep:

• Digital receipts

• Bank or card statements

• Work-related logbooks or calendars

• Gotax Deduction Grabber App

Better yet, use GoTax to upload and track it all without the drama.

3. Use the Right Methods for Travel

If you use your car for work (again, not commuting), you can:

• Use the cents-per-kilometre method (up to 5,000km, no logbook needed)

• Or use the logbook method to track actual expenses and usage

We even help you calculate the best method.

Need help with logbooks?

4. Don’t Forget Home Office Deductions

More people are working from home, which means:

• You can claim a fixed rate for hours worked from home (67c/hr)

• OR claim actual expenses for electricity, internet, etc.

Keep a diary for at least 4 weeks and you’re good to go.

5. Education & Training

Upskilling for your current job? You may be able to claim:

• Course fees

• Travel to classes

• Stationery and textbooks

BUT: You can’t claim a course that gets you a new job. Only ones that make you better at your current gig.

Check our Self-Education Guide

⚡ Pro Tips to Max Out Your Return

• Claim everything you're entitled to — but only what you're actually eligible for

• Don’t guess. Use GoTax prompts to uncover deductions based on your occupation

• Check your previous year’s return for any missed items

• Lodge early, but not before prefill data is available (usually from 1 July onwards)

Let GoTax Work Its Magic

We’re not here to make tax fun (we’re not that delusional), but we are here to make it easier, smarter, and way more rewarding.

GoTax takes your job, industry and expenses and serves up deduction suggestions, simple prompts, and filing done in minutes.

Ready to claim everything you deserve?
Start your return now: https://www.gotax.com.au/guest-user