Police officers in Australia may be eligible to claim numerous tax deductions. If you are confused about what you can and can’t claim as a police officer, we created this simple tax deduction guide to help.
These police officer tax tips will help keep you in good standing with the ATO and get the maximum refund you are entitled to.
Our Tax Return and Deduction Checklist for Police Officers
We created our tax deduction checklist for police officers to make it easy to understand what expenses you can claim so you can maximise your return.
If you are preparing to lodge your return, our simple tax deduction checklist for police officers in Australia will explain:
- The ATO’s rules for claiming deductions
- What work-related expenses police officers can claim in Australia
- What police officers can’t claim in Australia
- Considerations for police officers when lodging their tax return
- Insider tax tips for police officers
Can Police Officers Claim Any Deductions?
Yes, as a police officer in Australia, you may be eligible to claim numerous deductions.
For a deduction to qualify as a work-related expense for a police officer, it must fall within the ATO’s “3 golden rules”:
- You must have paid for the goods or services yourself and not received reimbursement
- The purchase or expense must be directly related to earning your income
- You must have proof or record of the payment (i.e. a receipt, bank statement, invoice, etc.)
Tax Deductions for Police Officers: What You CAN Claim
- Vehicle Expenses: Most vehicle expenses are a personal cost but there are some exceptions. If you must travel between work sites using your personal vehicle, you can claim a deduction for the cost of using your personal car.
For instance, if you must use your personal vehicle to travel from the police station to a crime scene, you can keep a logbook to track these expenses. For all the rules and what you can and can’t claim for vehicle expenses, we recommend this page from the ATO: Police officer expenses A–F | Australian Taxation Office.
- Compulsory Uniforms – Distinct uniforms that identify you and that your are required to wear by your workplace agreement or policy
- Protective Clothing: Clothing with protective features or functions needed to safely complete your duties may be claimed for a deduction. For example, a hi-vis vest, bulletproof vest, or fire-resistant clothing. However, you cannot claim protective clothing is supplied to you.
- Equipment: Your department will most likely supply your equipment. If you purchase a work-related item (gauntlets, handcuffs, holsters, hand grips, etc.) and are not reimbursed for it, you may be eligible to claim it. If an item is more than $300, you can claim a deduction for a decline in value. Items that are $300 or less can be claimed as an immediate deduction.
- First Aid Courses: You can claim a deduction for the cost of first aid training courses if you are required to complete the training and are a designated first aid person.
- Ammunition: You may be eligible to claim a deduction of the cost of ammunition bought for work-related training purposes.
- Informant Expenses: Learn more about whether or not you are eligible to claim informant expenses here: Police officer expenses G–O | Australian Taxation Office.
- Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services: You may be eligible to claim expenses related to laundering your uniform or protective clothing.
- Police Academy: Travel to attend a course at the Police Academy may be deductible.
- Police Dogs: Costs incurred from training or maintaining police dogs may be deductible.
- Communication: Phone, data, or internet costs that you incur during work-related communication may be deductible. You can’t claim a deduction if your employer supplies you with a phone and pays for its usage.
- Home Office Expenses: You may be able to claim a deduction for work-from-home expenses if you are required to perform certain duties from a home office. You must keep detailed records using an acceptable method outlined by the ATO.
- Self-Education or Professional Development Expenses: Self-education expenses may be deductible if they are directly related to maintaining your current job or getting a promotion.
- Tax Agent Fees: The cost of hiring a registered tax agent can be deducted.
- Training: Seminars, conferences, and training courses may be eligible to claim as a deduction if they directly relate to your work.
We recommend this excellent resource from the ATO to see details on every expense you can and can’t claim: Police Officer – income and work-related deductions | Australian Taxation Office.
Tax Deductions for Police Officers: What You Can’t Claim
Expenses you CAN’T claim as a police officer include:
- Expenses related to maintaining fitness, such as the cost of a gym membership (unless your position requires an extremely high level of fitness that is well above the general occupation standard)
- Traveling to and from work, even if you live a long distance from your workplace
- Conventional clothing (non-uniform clothes, such as t-shirts, ordinary clothes, footwear, and undergarments)
- Equipment that is supplied to you
- Cost to acquire or renew a driver’s license
- Passport fees
- The cost of installing security fences at your private residence for the security of the police dogs
- Relocation or removal expenses
- Childcare
- Entertainment, fundraising, or social functions
- Donations to non-registered charities
- Penalties or fines
- Club membership fees, with the exception of Federal Police pistol clubs
- Personal hygiene or grooming products
- Self-education or training expenses that do not directly pertain to your work or relate to a career transition
- The purchase of meals, snacks, or beverages purchased during your shift
- Medical treatments or prescription glasses
- Phones, internet, and telecommunications costs
You May Also Like: Do I Need To Lodge A Tax Return? | Tax Returns & Non-Lodgement
Things to Consider for Police Officers when Doing their Tax Return
Here are some additional considerations for police officers during tax season:
- Keep receipts and invoices for all work-related expenses.
- Keep any tax-related documents organised
- Maintain a valid logbook for work-related vehicle use if you plan on claiming deductions using the logbook method
- Declare all income, wages, and salary
- Avoid inflating deductions
- Do not claim expenses you have been reimbursed for
- Correct mistakes immediately and notify the ATO immediately of any errors
- Consider working with a tax professional to ensure compliance and to ensure you receive the maximum refund you are entitled to
4 Tax Tips for Police Officers
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Keep Detailed Records and Proof of Work-Related Expenses
Without proof of work-related expenses, you cannot claim deductions. Throughout the financial year, keep detailed records of work-related purchases and expenses, along with relevant proof.
The ATO accepts receipts, bank statements, and invoices as proof of work-related purchases. We recommend taking pictures of receipts or organising receipts and bank statements so you have proof ready when tax season arrives.
When you lodge a return as a police officer, be sure to include:
- All salary and income
- Wages
- Bonuses
- Commissions
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Do Not Claim Expenses You Receive Reimbursement For
We always like to reiterate this point: Even if you purchased something yourself, you cannot claim it if you received reimbursement.
If you are reimbursed for a work-related purchase, we recommend making a note of it to make sure you do not accidentally claim it at tax time.
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Stay Up to Date on Australian Tax Laws
Stay informed on current tax laws to ensure you know the rules on what you are eligible to claim for deductions. Make sure no tax laws or legislations have been passed that affect what you can claim.
To research current Australian tax laws, get started here: Home | Australian Taxation Office.
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Enlist a Tax Professional
Deductions for police officers are one of the more complicated tax checklists we’ve covered. There are extensive details regarding what makes you eligible for a claim or not.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and want to make sure you lodge a 100% accurate return, our tax professionals are here to take the stress out of tax time.
We’ve helped Perth police officers lodge accurate, compliant returns that ensured they received the maximum refund possible. With our tax professionals, you can trade stress and worry for a maximum refund that is:
- Lodged on time
- 100% accurate
- Free of penalties
Lodge an Accurate, Timely Return in Just a Few Easy Steps
Understanding what police officers in Australia can and can’t claim is crucial for lodging an accurate return with the highest refund possible. For a downloadable copy of our Police Officer Tax Return Tax Checklist, click here.
Looking for other industry-specific tax deduction guides? See our range of other tax deduction guides here: Tax Return Checklists – Industry-Specific Guides to Tax.
At TaxReturn.com.au, our licensed tax professionals are here to lodge a 100% accurate return on your behalf. Hand off the paperwork, deductions, and deadlines to us and we’ll ensure you get the maximum refund you are entitled to. Our team of tax professionals guarantees a 100% accurate, compliant return in just a few easy steps.
Email our team at support@taxreturn.com.au, phone us on 0499 829 829 (0499 TAX TAX), or register using our online contact form.
