Tax Tips for Cleaners

Q: Can cleaners claim work uniforms?

Yes. Eligible work uniforms and protective clothing required for your cleaning role are deductible. A uniform must be distinctive - carrying your employer's logo - or be specific protective clothing required for your work. Generic clothing that could be worn as everyday wear is generally not deductible. Keep receipts for all uniform and work clothing purchases.

Q: Can cleaners claim laundry expenses?

Yes. Laundry expenses for eligible work clothing and uniforms are deductible. The ATO allows claims of 50 cents per load when only work clothing is washed, or $1 per mixed load, without individual receipts up to $150 per year. If your total laundry claim exceeds $150, diary evidence showing the number of loads washed is required.

Q: Can cleaners claim safety shoes?

Yes. Protective or non-slip footwear required for your cleaning role is deductible when purchased personally and required for the nature of the work. If your employer specifically requires footwear with protective features such as non-slip soles for work in wet environments, those costs are deductible. Standard footwear that could be worn as everyday shoes is generally not deductible.

Q: Can cleaners claim gloves and protective equipment?

Yes. Protective equipment purchased personally and required for your cleaning role is deductible. This includes rubber or latex gloves, safety glasses, face masks, and other protective items needed to perform your cleaning duties safely. Items costing $300 or less are immediately deductible. Keep receipts for all protective equipment purchases throughout the year.

Q: Can cleaners claim phone expenses?

Yes - the work-related portion of your phone expenses is deductible if you use your personal phone for work purposes such as communicating with clients, supervisors, or scheduling. Keep a 4-week usage diary showing the proportion of work versus personal calls and data. Apply that percentage to your annual phone costs.

Q: Can cleaners claim training courses?

Yes. Training courses directly connected to your current cleaning role are deductible. This includes cleaning certification, food hygiene certification, workplace safety training, and other industry courses you pay for personally. Courses funded by your employer are not deductible. Keep your training invoices and course documentation.

Q: Can cleaners claim union fees?

Yes. Union fees are fully deductible when they relate to your employment. This includes membership fees for the United Workers Union, the Australian Services Union (ASU), and any other union relevant to your cleaning role. Keep your annual membership statement showing the total paid as evidence.

Q: Can cleaners claim income protection insurance?

Yes. Income protection insurance premiums paid personally outside of superannuation are deductible on your individual tax return. Keep your insurance statement or invoice as evidence. Premiums paid inside superannuation are not claimed on your individual return. GoTax charges a fixed $65 for a Full Individual Tax Return covering all cleaner deductions.

Most Cleaners Miss Tax Deductions Every Year

Not because they don't spend the money.

Because they don't think the small stuff matters.

The work gloves.

The safety glasses.

The non-slip shoes.

The phone used to communicate with clients.

The training course.

The diary.

The replacement work gear.

One purchase doesn't seem like much.

But over a year those small purchases can add up to hundreds of dollars in tax deductions.

That's where GoTax comes in.

✓ Common cleaner tax deductions already built into the system

✓ Real registered tax agents review every return

✓ No appointments

✓ No confusing tax forms

✓ Most Individual Tax Returns cost between $35 and $65 depending on complexity

Start My Tax Return Now

https://www.gotax.com.au

Cleaners may be able to claim tax deductions for protective equipment, work clothing, laundry expenses, training courses, phone expenses, union fees and other work-related costs. GoTax helps cleaners identify common tax deductions, avoid mistakes and complete their tax return online in minutes.

Why Cleaners Choose GoTax

Most cleaners don't want to spend their spare time reading tax legislation.

They want:

✓ The biggest legal refund possible

✓ Confidence they haven't missed anything

✓ A simple process

✓ No tax jargon

✓ A real tax agent checking everything

That's exactly what GoTax delivers.

Why GoTax Is Different

Most tax systems expect you to know what tax deductions apply to you.

GoTax doesn't.

Select "Cleaner" and we'll help identify many of the common tax deductions cleaners claim.

That means:

✓ Less searching

✓ Less guessing

✓ Less stress

✓ Less chance of missing a tax deduction

Simple. Easy. Fun.

Why Cleaners Miss Tax Deductions

Most cleaners don't forget the big expenses.

They forget the constant stream of smaller purchases made throughout the year.

The gloves.

The protective gear.

The work shoes.

The diary.

The phone expenses.

The training costs.

The small purchases are often where the missed tax deductions hide.

Cleaner Tax Health Check

Before lodging your tax return, can you answer "Yes" to these?

✓ Protective equipment reviewed

✓ Work clothing checked

✓ Laundry expenses considered

✓ Phone expenses reviewed

✓ Training costs included

✓ Union fees reviewed

✓ Work-related purchases checked

✓ Receipts retained

✓ All income declared

✓ Bank details updated

If not, don't worry. That's exactly what GoTax helps you work through.

Common Tax Deductions for Cleaners

Tax Deduction	Examples
Protective Equipment	Gloves, safety glasses and protective gear
Work Clothing	Protective workwear and uniforms
Laundry Expenses	Washing eligible work clothing
Safety Footwear	Non-slip and protective footwear
Phone Expenses	Work-related calls and usage
Training Courses	Cleaning and safety training
Union Fees	Employment-related memberships
Diaries & Stationery	Work-related record keeping
Professional Memberships	Industry-related memberships
Income Protection Insurance	Policy premiums

What Cleaners Remember vs What Cleaners Forget

Cleaners Usually Remember	Cleaners Commonly Forget
Work Uniforms	Laundry Expenses
Training Courses	Work Diaries
Major Purchases	Gloves & PPE
Phone Purchase	Phone Usage
Membership Fees	Small Work Items
Safety Shoes	Replacement Safety Gear

This is where many tax deductions disappear.

Not in the obvious expenses.

In the dozens of smaller purchases made throughout the year.

Biggest Tax Mistakes Cleaners Make

Thinking They Have Nothing To Claim

This is easily the biggest mistake.

Many cleaners assume tax deductions don't apply to them.

Forgetting Laundry Expenses

Work clothing is remembered.

Laundry expenses often aren't.

Missing Protective Equipment

Gloves, safety gear and replacement PPE are commonly overlooked.

Ignoring Small Purchases

The little purchases throughout the year can add up surprisingly quickly.

Throwing Away Receipts

Without records, supporting your claims becomes much harder.

Learn more:

https://www.gotax.com.au/blog/three-golden-rules-of-ato

GoTax vs Traditional Accountant

Feature	GoTax	Traditional Accountant
Cost	Usually $35-$65	Often $150-$300+
Appointment Needed	No	Usually
Available After Hours	Yes	Limited
Occupation Specific Guidance	Yes	Depends
Real Tax Agent Review	Yes	Yes
Complete From Home	Yes	Usually No

Most Individual Tax Returns cost between $35 and $65 depending on complexity. That's often less than the fuel, coffee and time spent travelling to a traditional accountant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cleaners claim work uniforms?

Eligible uniforms and protective clothing may be tax deductible.

Can cleaners claim laundry expenses?

Laundry expenses relating to eligible work clothing may be deductible.

Can cleaners claim safety shoes?

Protective footwear required for work may be tax deductible.

Can cleaners claim gloves and protective equipment?

Protective equipment used for work may be tax deductible.

Can cleaners claim phone expenses?

The work-related portion of your phone use may be tax deductible.

Can cleaners claim training courses?

Training directly related to your current role may be tax deductible.

Can cleaners claim union fees?

Union fees related to your employment are generally tax deductible.

Can cleaners claim income protection insurance?

Income protection insurance premiums may be tax deductible.

Trusted By Thousands Of Australian Workers

★★★★★ 4.9 Star Google Rating

"I had no idea I could claim some of the things I bought for work."

"The cleaner deductions were already there. I didn't have to guess."

"Simple, easy and much faster than visiting an accountant."

GoTax has helped thousands of Australian workers complete their tax returns online quickly, securely and confidently.

Helpful Resources

Ready To Get Started?

Most cleaners don't miss the big expenses.

They miss the dozens of small purchases made throughout the year.

Don't leave those tax deductions behind.

✓ Most Individual Tax Returns cost between $35 and $65

✓ Real Tax Agents

✓ Fast Online Process

✓ Maximum Legal Refund

Start My Tax Return Now

https://www.gotax.com.au