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It’s tax time! It pays to learn what work-related expenses you can claim

Do you know what you can and can’t claim during tax time? Lodging your tax return is easy with the ATO’s work-related expenses guide for security guards.

When completing your tax return, you may be able to claim deductions for some work-related expenses.

To claim a work-related deduction:

  • you must have spent the money yourself and weren’t reimbursed
  • it must be directly related to earning your income
  • you must have a recordto prove it.

If the expense was for both work and private purposes, you can only claim a deduction for the work-related portion. Common deductions for security guards can include:

  • Clothing and laundry expenses
  • Self-education expenses
  • Guard dog expenses
  • Car expenses
  • Meal expenses
  • License expenses
  • Other expenses

You are accountable for the claims you make in your tax return, even if you use a registered tax agent to prepare and lodge it on your behalf.

Remember to report all income in your tax return and remove any portion of your expense that is not work-related.

For more information or to download the ATO’s security guards work-related expense guide go to www.ato.gov.au/SP20

John Bigelow
John is the Editor of Security Solutions. With over 25 years experience in media within the security industry, John has written for a wide variety of national and internal publications including Cards Asia, Security New Zealand, and the Journal of Security Administration in the United States, as well as giving expert commentary in regard to security issues through various media outlets including 3AW, 2GB, 4GB and television programs such as Sunrise and the Today Show.