Tax Tips for Tilers

Q: Can tilers claim tile cutters?

Yes. Tile cutters purchased personally and used to earn your income as a tiler are deductible. Items costing $300 or less are immediately deductible in the year of purchase. Tile cutters costing over $300 must be depreciated over their effective life as a work-related asset. Keep receipts showing the item, cost, and date of purchase.

Q: Can tilers claim replacement blades?

Yes. Replacement cutting blades and other consumable items purchased for work are deductible in the year of purchase. Consumables - items that are used up in the course of earning income rather than lasting multiple years - are generally immediately deductible regardless of cost. This includes replacement tile cutting blades, mixing paddles, tile spacers, and other ongoing work supplies. Keep receipts for all purchases.

Q: Can tilers claim knee pads?

Yes. Knee pads and other protective equipment required for tiling work are deductible when purchased personally and required for the nature of the work. This includes knee pads, gloves, safety glasses, and other protective items needed for your role. Items costing $300 or less are immediately deductible. Keep receipts for all protective equipment purchases.

Q: Can tilers claim motor vehicle expenses?

Travel between two separate worksites on the same day is deductible. Travel from home to your regular worksite is private travel and is generally not deductible. Tilers who carry bulky tools or equipment with no secure storage at the job site may be able to claim travel from home in limited circumstances. A 12-week vehicle logbook is the best way to maximise your vehicle deduction across all running costs.

Q: Can tilers claim sunscreen?

Yes. If you work outdoors on tiling jobs, sun protection expenses - including sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses - are deductible as protective equipment. The ATO allows outdoor workers to claim sun protection costs where directly required by the nature of the work. Keep receipts for all sun protection purchases.

Q: Can tilers claim phone expenses?

Yes - the work-related portion of your phone expenses is deductible. Keep a 4-week usage diary showing the proportion of work versus personal calls and data. Apply that percentage to your annual phone costs. Tilers who use their phone for quoting, scheduling, and client communication typically have a meaningful work-use proportion.

Q: Can tilers claim training courses?

Yes. Tiling training, industry certification, and safety courses directly connected to your current role are deductible. This includes trade-related skills training, safety inductions, and certification renewals required for tiling work. Courses aimed at a career change or funded by your employer are not deductible. Keep invoices and course documentation.

Q: Can tilers 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 tiler deductions.

Most Tilers Miss Tax Deductions Every Year

Not because they don't spend the money.

Because they forget about it by tax time.

The tile cutter blade.

The spacers.

The knee pads.

The gloves.

The spirit level.

The mixing paddles.

The buckets.

The dozens of small purchases made throughout the year.

Individually they don't seem like much.

Together they can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in tax deductions.

That's where GoTax comes in.

✓ Common tiler 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

Tilers may be able to claim tax deductions for tools, tile cutters, motor vehicle expenses, protective clothing, training, phone expenses and other work-related costs. GoTax helps tilers identify common tax deductions, avoid costly mistakes and complete their tax return online in minutes.

Why Tilers Choose GoTax

Most tilers don't want to spend their evenings 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 "Tiler" and we'll help identify many of the common tax deductions tilers claim.

That means:

✓ Less searching

✓ Less guessing

✓ Less stress

✓ Less chance of missing a tax deduction

Simple. Easy. Fun.

Why Tilers Miss Tax Deductions

Most tilers remember the expensive purchases.

The problem is they forget the constant stream of smaller purchases.

The replacement blades.

The tile spacers.

The mixing paddles.

The gloves.

The safety gear.

The measuring tools.

The consumables.

One receipt isn't much.

A year's worth can make a serious difference.

That's the trap.

Most tilers focus on the tile cutter.

They forget the 100 smaller purchases.

Tiler Tax Health Check

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

✓ Tools reviewed

✓ Tile cutter purchases checked

✓ Replacement blades included

✓ Motor vehicle records reviewed

✓ Protective clothing claimed

✓ Laundry expenses considered

✓ Phone expenses reviewed

✓ Training costs included

✓ Sun protection expenses reviewed

✓ Receipts retained

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

Common Tax Deductions for Tilers

Tax Deduction	Examples
Tools & Equipment	Tile cutters, levels, trowels, mixers
Replacement Blades	Tile cutting blades and accessories
Motor Vehicle Expenses	Travel between worksites
Protective Clothing	Hi-vis clothing and workwear
Laundry Expenses	Washing eligible work clothing
Safety Footwear	Steel cap boots
Protective Equipment	Gloves, knee pads, safety glasses
Phone Expenses	Work-related calls and usage
Training & Courses	Industry training and certifications
Income Protection Insurance	Policy premiums
Sun Protection	Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses

Biggest Tax Mistakes Tilers Make

Forgetting Consumables

Most tilers remember buying the tile cutter.

They forget the ongoing cost of blades, paddles, spacers and other consumables.

No Vehicle Records

Many tilers spend a significant amount of time travelling between worksites but fail to keep proper records.

Learn more:

https://www.gotax.com.au/blog/car-records-2023-gotax

Missing Protective Equipment

Gloves, knee pads, safety glasses and protective gear are commonly forgotten.

Claiming Home-To-Work Travel

Travel from home to your normal workplace is generally not tax deductible.

Learn more:

https://www.gotax.com.au/blog/work-travel-expenses-tax-return-2025

Throwing Away Receipts

Without records, supporting your claims becomes much harder.

Learn more:

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

Tilers vs Office Workers

Expense	Tilers	Office Workers
Tile Cutters	✓	✗
Replacement Blades	✓	✗
Knee Pads	✓	✗
Safety Equipment	✓	Rarely
Motor Vehicle Claims	Often ✓	Limited
Sun Protection	Often ✓	Rarely

What Most Tilers Need

Most tilers already have everything needed to complete their tax return.

Typically:

✓ Income records

✓ Tool receipts

✓ Vehicle records

✓ Training invoices

✓ Phone records

✓ Work clothing receipts

✓ Insurance documents

✓ Records of smaller tool purchases

That's usually enough to get started.

No appointment required.

No complicated forms required.

Tiler 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
Time Required	Minutes	Often Hours

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 tilers claim tile cutters?

Yes. Tile cutters used to earn your income may be tax deductible. Equipment costing more than $300 may need to be claimed over multiple years.

Can tilers claim replacement blades?

Replacement blades used for work-related tools may be tax deductible.

Can tilers claim knee pads?

Protective equipment required for work may be tax deductible.

Can tilers claim motor vehicle expenses?

Travel between worksites may be deductible. Travel from home to your normal workplace generally is not.

Can tilers claim sunscreen?

If you work outdoors, sun protection expenses may be tax deductible.

Can tilers claim phone expenses?

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

Can tilers claim training courses?

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

Can tilers claim income protection insurance?

Income protection insurance premiums may be tax deductible.

Trusted By Thousands Of Australian Workers

★★★★★ 4.9 Star Google Rating

"I forgot about all the blades and small purchases I'd made during the year."

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

"Much easier 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?

You've spent the year laying tiles.

Now make sure you're laying claim to every tax deduction you're legally entitled to.

✓ 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