Tax deductions for office & admin workers
As an office or admin worker you can generally claim working-from-home running costs, the work portion of your phone, self-education, and professional or union fees.
Office roles have fewer big-ticket claims, but the working-from-home costs and memberships add up more than most people expect. Here’s what usually counts.
The three rules for any claim
- You paid for it yourself and weren’t reimbursed.
- It directly relates to earning your income.
- You have a record — a receipt, invoice or bank statement.
What you can usually claim
Working from home
A portion of electricity, internet and phone for the hours you work from home, using an ATO-accepted method — the fixed-rate approach or actual costs.
Phone and small equipment
The work-related portion of your phone, plus small items like a keyboard, headset or stationery you buy yourself.
Self-education, memberships and subscriptions
Courses that build on your current role, professional or union fees, and work-related publications or subscriptions.
General information, not personal tax advice. What you can claim depends on your circumstances — check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records for every claim.
Keep in mind
- Conventional office clothing.
- Your daily commute.
- Coffee, lunch or general snacks at work.
Take it further
Your income tax, Medicare levy and take-home pay on any salary.
AI2Fin for small business →Automate bookkeeping and stay tax-ready as your business grows.
Tax-free threshold →The first $18,200 of income you can earn tax-free.
Marginal tax rate →The tax rate on your next dollar of income.
Office & admin workers — common questions
How do I claim working from home?
You can use the ATO’s fixed-rate method (a set rate per hour worked from home, covering several running costs) or the actual-cost method. Either way you need records — a diary of hours, or receipts. Pick the one that gives the better, well-supported result. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Can I claim my phone bill?
The work-related portion of your phone and data is generally claimable, based on a reasonable work-use percentage backed by a representative record. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Deductions for other occupations
See all occupations.
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