Accountant & finance tax deductions: what you can claim
What you can claim, what you cannot, and the records the ATO expects. Written in plain English and updated for the 2025–26 financial year.
Oscar says"CPA/CA annual fees, software subscriptions, professional development, home office. Scan the receipt the day you get it and June takes care of itself."
What you can claim
- CPA Australia or CA ANZ annual fees.
- ASIC registration fees.
- Software subscriptions (accounting software if personally required).
- Professional development and CPD.
- Home office (67c/hr).
- Work phone portion.
- Technical books.
What you cannot claim
- Home to office.
- ASIC fees for client companies.
- Personal clothing.
Apportionment: the part most people get wrong
Phone diary, home office diary. If an expense is part work and part personal, you claim the work percentage only, and the ATO expects you to show how you worked it out.
Records you need to keep
CPA/CA invoices, receipts. A claim without a receipt or tax invoice behind it is a claim you may have to repay if the ATO asks.
Common questions
What records do I need to keep?
CPA/CA invoices, receipts. Keep them for five years from when you lodge.
How do I split work and personal use?
Phone diary, home office diary. Claim the work proportion only.
Oscar already knows these rules
Pick your occupation once, then scan, email, or forward receipts. Oscar classifies each one against these exact ATO rules and tells you what it is worth. Free to start.
Start scanning free