Truck Drivers: The Complete 2025 Guide to Claiming Travel Expenses

Let’s shift gears and hit the road to deductions! If you’re a truckie spending nights away from home, this guide is your GPS to claiming the right travel expenses.

What Can You Claim?

You can claim work travel expenses if:

• You’re away overnight for work

• You pay for your meals, accommodation, or incidentals (and your boss doesn’t reimburse you)

You can claim:

• Meals: Brekkie, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: Motel, cabin, whatever keeps you from sleeping in the cab

• Incidentals: Parking, tolls, laundry while you're away

You can’t claim:

• Travel that doesn’t include an overnight stay

• Anything paid or reimbursed by your employer

• Sightseeing trips or cheeky shopping sprees

• General allowances not tied to actual travel

2025 ATO Reasonable Allowance Rates

If your boss pays you a proper travel allowance, you can claim up to the ATO’s reasonable rates without needing receipts.

2024–25 rates for employee truck drivers:

• Breakfast: $28.60

• Lunch: $32.80

• Dinner: $56.75

Accommodation: You MUST have receipts. No shortcuts here.

How to Claim Travel Allowances

1. Get a Proper Allowance

Your employer must pay a separate, clearly labelled travel allowance. It should appear on your income statement or payment summary.

2. Claim What You Actually Spend

If your meal spending is under the ATO rates and you got a proper allowance, you're golden. Spend less? Claim less. Spend more? You can claim more—but get those receipts!

3. Keep Records

Even if you don’t need receipts, you still need proof:

• Bank statements

• Diary notes

• Dockets

Accommodation? Receipts are a must.

Example: 3 nights away with a travel allowance. You spend $25 on breakfast, $30 on lunch, and $55 on dinner each day. You're under the ATO limits, so you're safe. Just back it up with proof.

Substantiation Rules

If you get a legit travel allowance and stay under the ATO limits:

• No receipts needed for meals or incidentals

• Still need evidence you spent the money

If you go over the limits or don’t get an allowance:

• You need full receipts

Recent Court Bumps in the Road

Duncan’s Case [2024]

Mr Duncan used the ATO rates but had no receipts or solid proof. The Tribunal said "nope" – he didn’t show he actually spent the money.

Shaw’s Case [2025]

Mr Shaw stuck to the ATO rates. He gave credible evidence he spent the money. The Tribunal said "fair enough" and let him claim without full receipts.

BUT… the ATO is appealing this, so keep your logbooks warm and your records tidy.

What This Means for You

• Only claim if you paid for it

• Get a proper allowance from your boss

• Keep proof (even if it’s just bank records or a travel diary)

• Go over the ATO limits? You’ll need receipts

• Don’t assume the allowance is a free pass

What to Watch Out For

• Make sure your allowance is clearly for travel and separately listed

• Don’t claim stuff your boss already paid for

• Keep records. The ATO loves proof.

• Big claims = big questions

• Court rules are changing, so always check the latest advice

Your Go-To Reminder

Claim what you actually spend, back it up with records, and keep it honest. If you do it right, you’ll keep the tax office happy and your refund rolling.

Start that Truckie Tax return Now

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