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Tax Tips for Tilers

Tax Tips for Tilers – Maximise Your Tax Return Fast

Tile work is tough, but tax time doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re laying mosaics in a mansion or waterproofing someone’s dodgy DIY, your work gear, tools, and travel can all stack up to one seriously good tax refund.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common tax deductions for tilers and answer the questions that trip most tradies up. Whether you’re an employee or ABN holder, let’s get your online tax return sorted.

Tiler Income Tax

Tiler Tax Contents

  1. Motor Vehicle Expenses

  2. Uniforms and Protective Gear

  3. Tools and Equipment

  4. Phone, Internet and Admin Claims

  5. Training and Licensing Costs

  6. Sun Protection Expenses

  7. Accommodation and Work Travel

  8. Gotax Deduction Grabber App

  9. Tiler Tax Return Q&A (15 Snippet-Ready Answers)

  10. Final Tiler Tax Tips

  11. Helpful Blogs to Read Next

1. Motor Vehicle Expenses

Tilers often travel from job to job, and the ATO allows tax deductions for those work-related trips.

You can claim vehicle expenses when:

  • Driving between job sites

  • Collecting tiles, grout, or materials

  • Transporting tools from home if there's no secure storage

Two ways to claim:

  • Cents-per-kilometre: Up to 5,000km

  • Logbook method: Track your work percentage over 12 weeks

2. Uniforms and Protective Gear

Claimable work clothing includes:

  • Branded uniforms with your company logo

  • High-vis gear, safety boots, gloves, masks

  • Protective glasses, knee pads, hard hats

You can also claim laundry costs if you're washing eligible gear at home.

3. Tools and Equipment

You can claim essential tools like:

  • Tile cutters and tile nippers

  • Mixing paddles, grout floats, trowels

  • Buckets, laser levels, angle grinders

  • Toolboxes and PPE storage kits

Under $300 = immediate deduction. Over $300 = depreciated over time. Repairs and consumables? Also deductible.

4. Phone, Internet and Admin Claims

If you use your phone or internet to:

  • Communicate with clients

  • Manage bookings or invoices

  • Order materials online

  • Email quotes

Then part of your phone and internet bill may be deductible.
Use a one-month logbook to calculate the work use percentage.

5. Training and Licensing Costs

Training related to your current job is deductible.

Claim:

  • Waterproofing certifications

  • Safety and compliance courses

  • White card renewals

  • Course fees, travel, manuals and stationery

You can’t claim courses that qualify you for a new trade or career.

6. Sun Protection Expenses

If your job keeps you in the sun, you may be able to claim:

  • Sunscreen

  • UV-rated sunglasses

  • Wide-brim hats

Must be directly related to work outdoors.

7. Accommodation and Work Travel

If you're working out of town:

  • Accommodation costs

  • Work-related meals

  • Fuel or travel to and from the remote site

Keep your receipts and a diary of where, when and why.

8. Gotax Deduction Grabber App

Download the free GoTax Deduction Grabber App to:

  • Track vehicle kilometres

  • Store tool receipts

  • Log uniform costs and sun protection

  • Keep everything ready for your tax return

Available on both Apple and Android.

9. Tiler Tax Return Q&A

1. Can I claim my steel-cap boots?

Yes, if they’re used for safety on site. Everyday shoes aren’t claimable.

2. What tools can I claim as a tiler?

Tile cutters, nippers, levels, grinders, trowels, buckets, and toolboxes.

3. Can I claim fuel for driving to work?

Only if it’s between sites or for work-related errands—not from home to a regular job site.

4. Is my laser level claimable?

Yes, if you purchased it for work. Under $300? Claim it outright.

5. Can I claim a work phone?

Yes, if used for work calls, quotes or job bookings. Keep a usage log.

6. What about my data plan or internet?

Partly claimable if used for work-related tasks like ordering materials or emailing clients.

7. Do I need receipts for everything?

Yes. No receipt = no deduction. Bank statements help, but aren’t always enough.

8. Can I claim a course I did to become a builder?

No. Courses that lead to a new career or qualification are not claimable.

9. What if I bought safety gear online?

Still claimable. Just keep the invoice or payment record.

10. Is grout a deductible item?

Only if you paid for it personally and it wasn’t reimbursed by the client or employer.

11. Can I claim depreciation on my ute?

Yes, if you use the logbook method and the ute is used for work purposes.

12. Are replacement tool blades deductible?

Yes. Repairs and consumables are deductible when tools are used for work.

13. Can I claim food or drinks on the job?

Only if you’re travelling away overnight for work. Daily meals are not deductible.

14. Do I need to register for GST?

Only if your income exceeds $75,000 as a sole trader. Then yes, it's required.

15. Can I claim my tax agent fees?

Yes. Tax agent fees from last year’s tax return are deductible on this year’s return.

10. Final Tiler Tax Tips

  • Keep track of all receipts—digital or paper

  • Use a logbook if you drive regularly for work

  • Don’t assume your employer’s clothing policy makes it claimable

  • Claim tools, sun protection, and phone use where valid

  • The GoTax system is built to guide you through all this—fast

Call to Action
Sign up to GoTax and not only get your Tax Return done, you can also ask as many questions as you like and get informed answers. You have access to the equivalent of a Tax Einstein – that is our very own D.e.r.e.k as well as the best credentialed Tax Accountants around.

Start your online tax return now

 

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