Most Australians will always look to claim everything they are allowed to when it comes to tax time every year. However, we have to think about it throughout the year to ensure we have the right proof of tax-deductible purchase when tax time comes around again.
Dress codes are usually imposed on employees by their employers. Despite this, even if you spend a lot of money on your workwear, that doesn’t mean you can claim it as a deduction. It is only possible to deduct the cost of workwear and uniforms if you satisfy a number of requirements, one of which is that the workwear you purchase cannot be worn outside of the workplace. Additionally, the ATO (Australian Tax Office) requires that the clothing should have no use to you outside of your employment, which means it’s not appropriate for personal use. – be it any kind of men’s workwear, women’s workwear or any unisex work boots.
Examples of work-related expenses include wait staff. When you work as a waiter in a restaurant and are required to wear a white shirt and black pants at all times, you cannot claim this as an expense for a tax deduction since you can wear a white shirt or black pants when not waiting tables. For example, if your employer requires you to purchase white shirts with the restaurant’s logo, you can claim the costs of this as an expense for a tax deduction, for the shirts, but not the pants.
Protective workwear and footwear that you wear for income-producing activities can be claimed as a tax-deductible expense. A sufficient, high level of protection must be provided by the workwear. For example fire-resistant and sun-protective workwear, hi-vis safety vests, non-slip nurse’s work boots, steel-capped work boots, overalls and aprons you wear to protect your ordinary clothes from dirt.
So yes, you can claim workwear as an expense if it is intended to be worn at the time when you work only and promotes your safety during work.
Workwear expense claims can be successfully submitted by following certain guidelines. For starters, you should only claim a deduction for clothing types that are related to your job and to earning your income. As a second consideration, the type of clothing you wear should be unique to your profession.
Also, you must have spent your own money to make the purchase. Consequently, if your employer did not reimburse the work wear-related expenses you paid, you are entitled to a tax deduction. Finally, you need evidence to back up your claim. Either a receipt or a diary log explaining how you arrived at your calculation is acceptable.
Although there are many brands on the market, you should focus on finding a brand that offers functional, stylish, and safe workwear for both men and women and also provides some degree of protection so that it is easy to claim some expenses and get rewarded with some tax deductions. BAD Workwear is the best brand to purchase all your workwear needs. If you have a tax-deductible occupation, many clothing items may qualify. Head to the BAD Workwear website today to shop for some high-quality workwear pieces.
