Tax Tips for Tradies

Drill down on deductions. Hammer that refund.

Tradies in Australia can score some serious tax deductions by claiming tools, vehicle expenses, protective gear, and work-related costs. Whether you're a chippy, sparkie, plumber, or painter — GoTax helps you finalise your tax return online, fast and easy. Here's what you can claim and how to avoid the usual tax traps.

4 Common Questions from Tradies

Q1: Can I claim my ute or work van?
If you’re using it to go between jobs, pick up materials, or transport tools (and they’re too bulky to leave at work safely), then yep — claim away. But you’ll need either:

A 12-week logbook, or
A record of your kilometres (for the cents-per-kilometre method).

No, you can’t just say “I reckon I did heaps” and hope the Tax Office buys it.

Q2: Are tools and gear deductible?
Yep. Hammers, drills, levels, even that laser you bought to impress the apprentice — if it’s for work, it’s deductible. Just note: anything over $300? You’ll need to claim it over a few years (depreciation-style).

Q3: What about PPE and uniforms?
If it’s got a logo, or it’s safety-related (hi-vis, boots, hard hats, gloves), it’s claimable — including the cost to wash the sweat out of it.

Q4: I use my phone and internet for site calls and emails — is that claimable?
Absolutely. But only the work-related portion. Keep a one-month log to show how much is work vs. scrolling TikTok.

Common Tax Mistakes

Trying to claim your regular clothes. That KingGee jacket with no logo? Not deductible. The ATO doesn’t care how dirty it gets.
Forgetting to apportion expenses. If your phone is 50% work, you can’t claim the full bill — unless you enjoy ATO audits.
No receipts = no refund. That random $799 drill from Bunnings needs a receipt — not “my mate saw me buy it.”

Missed Tax Deduction Opportunities

Sunscreen and sunglasses — yep, even sunnies are deductible if you’re out in the sun earning your pay.
Income protection insurance — if it’s paid outside of super, claim it.
Training courses — forklift licence? Confined space cert? Boom — deductible.
Travel and accommodation — if you’re working away from home, don’t forget meals, hotels, and even parking.

Why Use GoTax?

Because you’ve got better things to do than wrestle with myGov or Google “what can tradies claim” at 11pm.

GoTax gives you:

Fast online tax returns made for busy tradies
Clear deduction prompts that help you get it right
Expert help when you need it (from real Aussie tax agents, not robots)
Just $65 for the full return, or $25 if you're just after speed

Plus, our Deduction Grabber app makes it easy to snap receipts and store them for tax time. No more glovebox full of paper or faded fuel dockets.

ATO’s 3 Golden Rules

You spent the money yourself (no freebies, no reimbursements)
It directly relates to your job (not your weekend house reno)
You’ve got records — keep your receipts or your refund gets wrecked

Final Word

You build homes, fix pipes, wire up new kitchens — don’t let a dodgy tax return bring it all undone. Nail your tax with GoTax and keep more of what you’ve earned.

Start here:
www.gotax.com.au/tradie-tax-return

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