Tax Tips for Cleaners – Maximise Your Refund

Cleaners are the unsung heroes — scrubbing, vacuuming, and polishing until everything sparkles. But when it comes to tax time, too many cleaners leave money on the table by missing out on tax deductions they’re entitled to.

Here’s your ultimate Gotax guide to what you can claim, the traps to avoid, and the opportunities to grab so your tax refund shines as bright as your freshly cleaned floors.

Common Tax Deductions for Cleaners

1. Car Expenses

You can claim car expenses if:

• You travel between multiple workplaces in a day

• You transport bulky equipment (like industrial vacuums or gurneys) and don’t have a secure place to store them

Trap: Driving from home to your first job and back home again is never deductible.

2. Uniforms & Protective Clothing

You can claim purchase and laundry costs for:

• Logoed uniforms supplied by your employer

• Protective clothing (steel cap boots, high-vis shirts)

• Safety gear like gloves, masks, or goggles

Trap: Normal everyday clothes (jeans, polos, sneakers) don’t count — even if your boss insists.

3. Tools & Equipment

You can claim:

• Cleaning tools and equipment

• Repairs and replacements

• Full deduction for items under $300

• Depreciation for items over $300

Missed opportunity: Many cleaners forget to claim smaller consumables like mop heads, buckets, or cleaning sprays when not reimbursed.

4. Other Work-Related Expenses

Cleaners may also claim:

• Sun protection (if working outdoors)

• Mobile phone and internet (for client calls & scheduling apps)

• Union fees

• Stationery, diaries, and logbooks

• Overtime meals

• Income protection insurance (if not already covered in super)

• Tax agent fees (next year)

• Donations to registered charities

Common Traps & Missed Opportunities

• Trap: Claiming private expenses (child care, normal clothes, or lunches) — they’re never deductible.

• Trap: Forgetting to keep receipts for laundry, equipment, or mobile use.

• Missed Opportunity: Claiming overtime meals — especially common in shift work.

• Missed Opportunity: Sun protection items for outdoor cleaners (hats, sunglasses, sunscreen).

Top 10 Q&As for Cleaners

Q1: Can I claim my driver’s licence?

No, licences are a personal expense.
Snippet: Driver’s licences are private expenses and not deductible.

Q2: Can I claim car expenses if I carry heavy gear?

Yes, if the equipment is bulky and you have no secure storage.
Snippet: Transporting bulky cleaning equipment makes car costs deductible.

Q3: Are everyday clothes deductible?

No, only logoed uniforms or protective clothing.
Snippet: Ordinary clothes like jeans or polos aren’t deductible.

Q4: Can I claim sunscreen and hats?

Yes, if working outdoors.
Snippet: Sun protection gear is deductible if used for outdoor cleaning work.

Q5: Can I claim laundry for my uniforms?

Yes, for logoed or protective uniforms.
Snippet: Washing and dry cleaning uniforms is deductible.

Q6: Can I claim overtime meals?

Yes, if you work overtime and have a meal expense.
Snippet: Overtime meal costs are deductible when overtime is worked.

Q7: Can I claim tools and equipment?

Yes, including repairs and replacements.
Snippet: Cleaning tools and equipment are tax deductible for cleaners.

Q8: Can I claim mobile phone use?

Yes, for work-related calls and rostering apps.
Snippet: Work portion of mobile phone costs is deductible.

Q9: Are union fees deductible?

Yes, 100%.
Snippet: Union fees are fully deductible for cleaners.

Q10: Can I claim glasses or contact lenses?

No, they’re considered private.
Snippet: Vision aids like glasses and contacts are private, not deductible.

Related Blogs for Cleaners

• Sun Protection Tax Deductions

• Overtime Meals Tax Deductions

• Claiming Tools & Equipment

• Claiming Mobile Phone Expenses

• Union Fees and Tax Deductions

Final Tax Tips for Cleaners

• Keep receipts for every claim — even laundry costs.

• Don’t try to claim normal clothes or private expenses.

• Take advantage of commonly forgotten deductions like sun protection and overtime meals.

• Use GoTax’s Deduction Grabber to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

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