Uncommon Tax Deductions You Didn’t Know You Could Claim
Published: June 2025
You know the usual suspects — uniforms, tools, work travel, phone bills. Yawn.
But what if we told you there are perfectly legal, ATO-approved deductions that most Aussies either overlook or have no idea exist?
Well, let’s fix that. Below are some lesser-known deductions that could make your tax refund go from “meh” to “more please!”
1. Income Protection Insurance
If you pay for a policy outside of your super fund to cover loss of income, you can claim it.
-
❌ Can't claim if paid through super.
-
✅ Can claim if you pay premiums personally.
2. Union Fees & Memberships
Yes, you can claim union fees or fees to professional associations related to your job.
Even things like:
-
Union dues
-
Teacher’s federation fees
-
Nursing registration costs
3. Protective Items That Aren’t Clothes
It’s not just boots and hi-vis.
-
Sunglasses and sunscreen if you work outdoors
-
Earplugs or noise-cancelling earmuffs
-
Safety glasses, gloves, hard hats
If it protects you on the job — it might just be claimable.
4. Tax Agent Fees (Yep, Even Last Year’s!)
That fee you paid to do your tax return last year? Claimable this year.
That includes:
-
Tax agent fees
-
Any help or advice you paid for
5. Home Office Decor & Setup
If you work from home, and you claim using the actual cost method, you might be able to claim:
-
A portion of office furniture
-
Lighting or desk lamps
-
Printers, shredders, monitors
Style it up, just keep the receipts.
6. Laundry for Uniforms (Even the Washing Powder)
If you wash uniforms with logos or protective gear:
-
$1 per load (if only work gear)
-
50c per load (if mixed with regular clothes)
-
Plus claim for detergent and wash costs
7. Glasses (Sometimes...)
If you're in a job that requires specific visual aids for safety or task performance, such as:
-
Specialised safety glasses
-
Prescription goggles for lab or field work
Your regular prescription specs? Sorry. No go.
Bonus Weird Claims That (Actually) Got Approved
-
A saxophone for asthma (wind instruments can help)
-
A pool for medical hydrotherapy (with doctor support)
-
A handbag used only for work tools (tradie-style tote bags count)
Final Wrap-Up: Be Smart, Not Sketchy
The ATO won’t chase you for claiming what’s fair — but you have to:
-
Keep records
-
Make sure it relates to earning your income
-
Only claim what you actually paid for
GoTax is built to help you spot and claim these uncommon deductions. Our online return process includes guided questions, deduction prompts, and smart checks.
Want to see what you can claim this year?
Start your return here: https://www.gotax.com.au
Additional Tax Resources
Leave a Comment