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Tax Tips for Electricians

Sparks flying when tax time rolls around?

If you're an electrician in Australia, you're in luck. There's a whole toolkit of deductions just waiting to be claimed—if you know where to look. From tools and boots to vehicle costs and sun protection, this guide breaks it down so you can crank up your tax refund without the volts of confusion.

Table of Contents

  1. Motor Vehicle Expenses (Kilometres & Logbook)

  2. Protective Gear & Branded Uniforms

  3. Tools, Tech & Equipment Over $300

  4. More Deductions Electricians Shouldn’t Miss

  5. ATO’s 3 Golden Rules (Don’t Skip This!)

  6. Use the Deduction Grabber App

  7. Blogs & Videos to Boost Your Know-How

  8. Gotax Advice for Smart Electricians

Electrians Tax Tips

1. Motor Vehicle Expenses (Kilometres & Logbook)

You may be able to claim for work travel if:

  • You're heading between job sites or clients.

  • You’re picking up materials or tools.

  • You cart bulky equipment from home because there's nowhere safe to store it on-site.

Claiming Methods:

  • Cents per kilometre: Up to 5,000km per year. No logbook, but you need to justify your estimate.

  • Logbook method: Track 12 weeks of travel. You’ll claim a percentage of all vehicle costs (fuel, rego, insurance, servicing).

2. Protective Gear & Branded Uniforms

If it's keeping you safe or it's got your employer's logo on it—you can probably claim it.

Claimable Items Include:

  • Hard hats, electrical gloves, flame-retardant pants

  • Steel-cap boots, safety glasses, hi-vis jackets

  • Branded polos, shirts, and jackets

  • Washing or dry-cleaning these items

Tip: Keep your receipts and track your wash frequency if claiming laundry costs.

3. Tools, Tech & Equipment Over $300

Whether it drills, detects or de-risks your job—if it’s essential, it could be deductible.

Claim straight away (under $300):

  • Pliers, wire cutters, torches, multimeters, tape

  • Toolboxes, circuit finders, coax cable strippers

Depreciate (over $300):

  • Electric drills, ladders, testing kits

  • Laptops, rugged tablets, smartphones used for quoting or client communication

4. More Deductions Electricians Shouldn’t Miss

Here’s what else to keep on your radar:

  • Phone & Internet: Apportion the business use. Keep a 4-week usage diary.

  • Electrical Licences: Application and renewal fees.

  • Courses & Upskilling: Related to your current job (not for a new trade).

  • Sunscreen & Sunglasses: If you’re on outdoor sites.

  • Home Office: Quoting jobs, managing invoicing, or storing admin records.

  • Accommodation & Meals: While working remote or interstate.

  • Union or Professional Fees

  • Extra Super Contributions: Potential tax benefits, but stay under your cap.

5. ATO’s 3 Golden Rules (Don’t Skip This!)

To claim it, make sure:

  1. You spent it yourself and weren’t reimbursed.

  2. It directly relates to earning your income.

  3. You’ve got proof: receipt, invoice, logbook, diary entry.

6. Use the Deduction Grabber App

Don’t get zapped by missing deductions. The Gotax Deduction Grabber App helps you:

  • Snap & store receipts instantly

  • Log vehicle trips in real time

  • Record claims as they happen

It’s FREE and available on both App Store and Google Play.

7. Blogs & Videos to Boost Your Know-How

Popular Blogs:

Featured Videos:

8. Gotax Advice for Smart Electricians

Tax isn’t shocking when you’re organised. Keep records, update your logbook, and claim only what’s legit. And remember, if sparks fly and you’re stuck—just ask D.e.r.e.k.

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