Monday Moneyvators: What to claim for a bumper tax return

Organising your tax return is probably the last thing you want to do on a Monday, especially when you’re suffering from the post-weekend blues. But, as we all know, our motivation usually starts to dwindle as the week unfolds, which means Monday’s are when we’re at our productivity peak.

So, before procrastination creeps up and you lose your Monday momentum, here are a few things you might be able to put on your to-claim list for a bumper return:

Donations

Whether you took part in Dry July last year or did a fun run, you may be able to claim the charitable contributions you made over the last Financial Year. But keep in mind, you must have donated to an organisation that’s approved by the Australian Government as a “deductible gift recipient”.

Your work uniform

If your work has a compulsory uniform, then the cost can be added to your tax return, as well as the cost of dry cleaning.

Your handbag

In the case your uniform isn’t tax-deductible, you might be happy to hear another piece from your wardrobe could be... your handbag. As long as you predominantly use it for work, that is.

Work-related magazines & books

This one's ideal for all the avid readers out there, because a percentage of the cost of any books or magazines purchased for work-related research are on the list of claimable items too.

Study expenses

If you took a course that’s specifically related to your job last financial year, then you guessed it, you can claim that too!

Travel for work

While you can’t claim travel to and from your job, what you can claim is travel for work-related purposes, for instance, a tradie travelling between work sites.

Tax agent fees

Did you use a tax accountant to submit last year’s tax return? Well, the good news is this cost can also be added to your claims for your tax return.

Investment costs

If you own an investment property that’s currently negatively geared, then there’s a bunch of expenses that you can claim, like your mortgage interest and property maintenance costs.

While these claims are all great ways to plump up your tax return, remember that you’ll need to be able to validate each claim with a receipt or record.