As a cleaner, did you know you are eligible to claim a variety of work-related expenses? We find that many Australians who lodge their own tax return miss out on significant chances to maximise their refund.
In this tax deductions guide for cleaners, we’ll outline the deductions you can and can’t claim so you can enter tax season with confidence.
Our aim is to make it as easy as possible for you to lodge an accurate, timely return that gets you the maximum amount you are entitled to.
Our Tax Return and Deduction Checklist for Cleaners
We created our cleaners deduction checklist to make it easy to understand what work-related expenses you can and cannot claim in Australia.
If you are a cleaner and preparing for tax time, our simple tax deduction checklist will explain:
- Rules for claiming deductions
- What work-related expenses cleaners can claim in Australia
- What cleaners can’t claim in Australia
- Considerations for cleaners when completing their tax return
- Insider tax tips for cleaners
Deductions for Cleaners: What You CAN Claim
Before we get into the specific items and expenses you can claim as a cleaner, keep these tax deduction rules in mind:
- The deduction must pertain to a work-related purchase or expense
- You must have paid for the expense with your own money
- You must not have been reimbursed by your employer
- You must have proof or documentation of the transaction
Any expense you claim as a cleaner must meet the four criteria above. Here’s a look at what deductions cleaners are eligible to claim:
Car Expenses
Your journey from home to work is generally not a claimable expense but there are some exceptions for cleaners. For instance, if your employer requires you to transport heavy equipment from your home to work, you may be eligible to claim this expense.
You can also claim travel expenses if you use your personal car to pick up work supplies or travel between work sites. You can claim work-related travel expenses using the logbook method or cents per kilometre method.
Clothing
If you are required to wear a specific uniform, the cost of cleaning or repairing the uniform is deductible. You can also deduct the cost of purchasing a new uniform.
If you wear protective, work-specific clothing to protect yourself against hazards, you may claim this as a deduction as well. For instance, many cleaners are required to wear protective aprons or overalls.
Tools and Equipment
Any device or equipment that you purchase out of your own pocket can be claimed. It must be related to earning your income and cannot be reimbursed by your employer.
For instance, if Jill buys a mop, wipes, garbage bags, and sponges and uses them only for earning her cleaning income, she can claim these expenses. Of course, Jill could not receive reimbursement from her employer.
Any piece of cleaning equipment that costs $300 or less is eligible to be claimed straight away.
Examples of tax-deductible cleaning equipment under $300 include items such as:
- Garbage bags
- Sponges
- Wipes
- Cloths
- Cleaning chemicals
- Mops
- Brushes
- Brooms
- Batteries
Equipment over $300, such as pressure washers or vacuum cleaners, will be calculated with depreciation factored in.
Self-Education
If you undergo training directly related to earning your income and you pay for the course or education yourself, you may be able to claim it as an expense.
Other Cleaner Deductions
Other expenses you may be able to claim as a cleaner include:
- Union fees
- Work-related subscriptions
- Charitable donations
- Memberships
- Tax agent fees
- Phone expenses if it is used for work-related calls and if you keep accurate records detailing the percentage it is used for work vs. private calls
- Dividend and share income expenses
- Stationery
- Work bag
- Income support insurance (not including Super)
- Personal super contributions
For a printable version of these cleaner tax tips and deductions, download our Tax Deduction Checklist for Cleaners.
We also highly recommend this helpful, in-depth page from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO): Cleaner Expenses Deduction Checklist.
Deductions Cleaners Can’t Claim
Here are the deductions cleaners can’t claim:
- Vehicle Expenses — You cannot claim deductions on fuel or driving costs for getting from your home to work and vice versa. This is true even if you live an especially far distance from your workplace or if you are working outside normal business hours.
- Meal Expenses — Meals purchased during your work day are considered a personal expense that cannot be claimed. The same is true if you get an allowance for daily meals at work.
- Tools and Equipment — Tools and equipment can be claimed but only if they are for work-related use. Equipment purchased for personal usage cannot be claimed. If the equipment or tool was supplied by your employer, you are not eligible to claim it
- Clothing Expenses — You cannot claim the purchase of plain clothing. Only specific work uniforms or protective clothing purchased with your own money are eligible to be claimed.
- Child Care — You cannot claim the cost of childcare.
- Fines and Penalties — You cannot claim deductions on any penalties or fines, such as parking tickets or speeding fines, you receive when travelling to work.
Curious about which expenses you can and can’t claim in Australia for other industries? Along with our deduction guide for cleaners, we offer a variety of deduction checklists based on industry here: Tax Return Checklists – Industry-Specific Guides to Tax.
Things to Consider for Tax Returns for Cleaners
When it comes time to lodge your return, here are some considerations to keep in mind to make tax season as stress-free as possible:
- Include all sources of income from the financial year, including salary and wages, commissions, and bonuses
- Stay up to date on the ATO’s tax laws and eligible tax deductions for cleaners in Australia
- Maintain an accurate logbook using the logbook method for car expenses if you use your vehicle for work-related purposes
- Take advantage of the helpful tools offered by the ATO app. We especially like to recommend the myDeductions tax tool and have heard from many clients that they find it user-friendly and helpful.
- Have a designated folder or filing area for all receipts, credit card statements, invoices, and bank statements related to work-related expenses
- If you are reimbursed for a work-related purchase, do not claim it
- Consider lodging your return by the end of July to avoid a last-minute scramble
Tax Tips for Cleaners
Our top insider tax tips for cleaners include:
- #1. Work with a registered tax professional
- #2. Keep proof of all work-related expenses and maintain accurate records
- #3. Do not claim any expenses you are reimbursed for
- #4. Correct any mistakes right away
Cleaner Tax Tip #1. Register to Work with a Tax Professional
We’ve talked to many cleaners who get overwhelmed by all the rules about expenses and what can and can’t be claimed. If you make mistakes on your return or claim an expense you shouldn’t have, you are at risk of fines and penalties.
If you want to save time and stress and ensure your return is 100% accurate, we recommend consulting a registered tax professional. At Tax Return AU, our tax specialists have helped hundreds of cleaners lodge accurate returns with the maximum refund they are owed. We’ll make sure you aren’t missing any of the valuable deductions you are entitled to as a cleaner.
Cleaner Tax Tip #2. Keep Accurate Expense Records
Keep proof, documents, receipts, and records of any work-related expenses throughout the year. Tax deductions are only valid with proof. By saving all invoices or receipts for work-related purchases and expenses, tax time will be a breeze!
If you don’t like the idea of maintaining physical records, consider taking photos of any receipts or invoices and saving them in a digital file.
Cleaner Tax Tip #3. Do Not Claim Expenses You Were Reimbursed For
We talk about this tax tip a lot because of how important it is: Do not claim any expenses if you received reimbursement.
Claiming expenses you received reimbursement for or claiming deductions without proof puts you at risk of penalties from the ATO.
Always have clear proof and documentation for any expenses and make sure to only claim expenses you did NOT receive reimbursement for.
Cleaner Tax Tip #4. Correct Mistakes Right Away
If you file your tax return yourself and make a mistake, notify the ATO immediately to get it corrected. Whether it is a misspelling, wrong address, or you realise you’re missing proof for an expense, mistakes must be corrected right away to avoid fees and penalties.
If you want to avoid mistakes and lodge a 100% accurate return with full confidence, consider registering with a tax professional. Our tax specialists guarantee a 100% accurate return, without any hassle on your part. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with handing over all the details, expenses, and hard work to our professionals.
We also put together this guide on the most common tax mistakes if you would like to learn more: Tax Filing Errors to Dodge: Expert Tips for Avoiding Common Mistakes.
Need Help Lodging an Accurate, Timely Return With Maximum Deductions for a Cleaner?
Cleaners are eligible to claim a variety of work-related expenses when they lodge their return. If you are uncertain about which cleaning expenses you can and can’t claim, it is best not to make assumptions. Contact the ATO or a tax professional to ensure you are lodging an accurate return.
Our goal at Tax Return AU is to take the dread out of tax season. Whether you want to register with one of our tax professionals or just need some guidance, our team is here for you.
View our variety of helpful tax return checklists and guides or contact us to find out how simple our tax specialists can make tax season for you.
