To prepare for tax time 2021, we are creating a series of articles called ‘How to Maximise Your Refund’. This is the first article in this series. Below is a list of deductions you are able to claim if you are a medical professional, nurse, or carer.
Car Expenses
You can claim a deduction for car expenses when you drive between two separate jobs on the same day or when you drive to and from alternate workplaces for the same employer on the same day. This includes driving between house calls, and travelling to different hospitals or medical centres.
Travel Expenses
You can claim a deduction for travel expenses if you are required to travel overnight and don’t attend your usual work location. For example, travelling to a remote location to work at a clinic, provided the cost was incurred while carrying out your work duties. This includes meals, accommodation, and incidental expenses that you incurred and your employer has not provided or reimbursed you.
Clothing Expenses
You can claim a deduction for the cost of buying, hiring, mending, or cleaning certain uniforms that are unique and distinctive to your job. This includes a compulsory doctor’s uniform and protective clothing, for example.
You cannot claim a deduction for the cost of buying or cleaning plain clothing worn at work, even if your employer tells you to wear it. For example, a business suit.
Self-Education Expenses
You can claim a deduction for self-education expenses if your course relates directly to your current job. You are unable to claim a deduction if your study is only related in a general way or is designed to help get you a new job. For example, you cannot claim the cost of study to enable you to move from being a carer to being a registered nurse.
Phone and Internet Expenses
You can claim phone and internet usage if your employer needs you to use your personal devices for work. You can only claim the work-related portion of the use of your personal device.
Other Expenses
Other expenses you can claim a deduction for include professional indemnity insurance, medical journal subscriptions and publications, AMA or other medical professional association membership fees, the work-related portion of phone expenses, medical equipment and insurance for that equipment, stationery.
Gifts and Donations
You can claim a deduction for a donation you make to an organisation if the donation meets four conditions:
- You make it to a deductible gift recipient (DGR)
- It must truly be a donation. A donation is a voluntary transfer of money or property where you receive no material benefit or advantage
- It must be money or property, which includes financial assets such as shares
- You have a record of the donation, such as a receipt
This information has been sourced from the ATO website.
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