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How to Claim Tax Agent Fees and the Cost of Managing Your Tax Affairs in 2025

Published: July 2025

Tax time? Time to turn those tax agent fees into a beautiful tax deduction. If you’ve paid a registered tax agent like Gotax to prep your tax return, give advice, or help you dodge an ATO audit bullet—guess what? That cost is claimable.


Tax Practictioners Board

What Are Tax Agent Fees?

Tax agent fees are the costs you fork out to a registered tax agent (like Gotax) to prepare and finalise your tax return, give you tax advice, or represent you in front of the ATO. These fees are tax deductible in the year you actually pay them.


What Can You Claim?

Here’s your juicy tax deduction deduction list:

  • Fees paid for preparing and lodging your return (even amendments count) are tax deductible.

  • Tax advice specifically related to your personal tax affairs are also tax deductible.

  • Costs for ATO audits, reviews or disputes

  • Travel costs to your tax agent—yes, even Uber and petrol

  • Fees for using online services like Gotax

  • Postage, phone calls, stationery used for managing your tax


What Can’t You Claim?

Keep your feet on the ground—there are limits:

  • ATO fines or penalties (nope, not tax deductible)

  • Fees for someone else’s return (unless it's a joint asset situation)

  • Financial planning or investment advice fees unrelated to your return


When Do You Claim?

Timing is everything. You claim in the year you pay—not when the service is done. Paid Gotax in July 2024 for your 2024 return? That’s a 2025 tax year claim.


Examples

Example 1:
You paid Gotax $99 in August 2024 for your 2024 return. Claim it in your 2025 return.

Example 2:
You spent $220 in March 2025 for audit help. Claim it in 2025.

Example 3:
You drove 10km each way to visit your agent—log the travel and claim the cents-per-kilometre.


Common Mistakes

  • Claiming in the wrong year

  • Trying to deduct fines (naughty!)

  • Claiming financial advice not related to tax

  • Double dipping—claiming in two different years


Misconceptions Busted

  • "I can only claim if I get a refund" — Wrong.

  • "Online software isn’t deductible" — Wrong again.

  • "I can claim the whole fee, even if it’s for two people" — Nope, only your share.


Often Overlooked Deductions

  • Travel to and from your tax agent

  • Postage and phone costs

  • Fees for amending past returns


Record-Keeping Musts

  • Keep your invoice or receipt (digital is fine)

  • Note the payment date

  • Keep a record of travel (diary or app works)

  • Store receipts for any related costs


ATO Red Flags

  • Huge agent fees without proof

  • Claiming for services that aren’t tax related

  • Claiming for someone else’s return


Got Tricky Situations?

Q: I paid for my partner’s return—can I claim it?
A: Only your portion.

Q: I amended last year’s return—claimable?
A: Yes, in the year you paid for the amendment.

Q: Rental property co-ownership—how to claim?
A: Split the fee based on your ownership share.

Q: Advice for my sole trader biz—deductible?
A: Yes, if it's tax-related.


Pro Tips from Gotax

  • Always use a registered tax agent (like Gotax)

  • Your invoice lives in your Gotax account—easy peasy

  • Log those travel details

  • Ask if you’re unsure—guessing doesn’t help


Real-World Scenarios

  • Gotax lodges your return + follow-up tax chat = both deductible

  • Got an ATO letter and need help? Gotax = deductible

  • Called your agent? Claim the cost of the call


Final Word

Don’t let a tax deduction sit there unclaimed. Tax agent fees are low-hanging fruit for deductions—so grab ’em. Use Gotax, get the invoice, claim the cost, and make your tax life easier.

Start with Gotax now: https://www.gotax.com.au/guest-user

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