🔧 Occupation guide

Tradesperson / Tradie 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"Tools under $300 immediate deduction, over $300 depreciate. Protective gear, vehicle logbook, licences, TAFE training. Scan the receipt the day you get it and June takes care of itself."

What you can claim

Tools under $300 immediately, over $300 depreciate.
Protective clothing (boots, gloves, hi-vis, hard hat).
Vehicle logbook for travel between sites.
Licences (electrical, plumbing, gas).
Union fees.
Self-education directly related to current trade.
Sun protection outdoors.
Phone work portion.

What you cannot claim

Home to first worksite and return.
Tools employer supplies.
Plain clothing.

Apportionment: the part most people get wrong

Vehicle logbook 12 weeks. Phone 4-week 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

Receipts, logbook, licence documents. A claim without a receipt or tax invoice behind it is a claim you may have to repay if the ATO asks.

ATO red flags for this occupation: Claiming home-to-work travel as site travel, tools that appear personal. These are the patterns that trigger review letters, so keep airtight records for exactly these claims.

Common questions

What records do I need to keep?

Receipts, logbook, licence documents. Keep them for five years from when you lodge.

How do I split work and personal use?

Vehicle logbook 12 weeks. Phone 4-week diary. Claim the work proportion only.

What gets claims like mine reviewed by the ATO?

Claiming home-to-work travel as site travel, tools that appear personal. Solid receipts and logs are the answer to all of them.

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.

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