What can I claim on my tax as a truck driver?
Let’s say you need to drive a load from Perth to Melbourne, but you get to Adelaide and decide to leave it there because “oh well that’s close enough”.
It almost definitely is not close enough – it’s only half the job!
People year in, year out, have the same approach to their Tax Return.
By leaving half your tax deduction unclaimed, you’re only doing half a job.
If you’re a truck driver, make sure you don’t forget to claim all of your tax deductions. Don’t leave any of your tax-deductible expenses behind (trust us, you really want to include everything). If you save every little bit, and deduct everything you’re entitled to, the return can be massive.
What qualifies your tax deduction?
There are only three main requirements that qualify as an expense for tax deductions (it’s that easy), which is calculated against your income:
- You must have spent the money and not have been reimbursed
- It must be related to your job
- You must have a record to prove it
Remember, a record isn’t necessarily a receipt. There are tax deductions you can claim without a receipt. Continue on to find out more.
What constitutes an expense as “related” to your job you might ask?
Here’s a definition of your taxable income, and a list of truck tax deductions.
What is your taxable income
Your taxable income is money generated from your employer or your work. Your taxable income also includes:
- PAYG summaries
- Pensions and government allowances
- Interest earned (banks etc)
- Dividends
- Rental property income
- Business income
- Other income earned (capital gains etc)
Tax deductible expenses for Truck Drivers
Clothing
- Compulsory uniform (which has the logo of the company you work for)
- Protective and safety clothing items for your truck driving work
- Laundry of work-related up to $150 (Only for eligible work clothing)
Other Tax Deductions
- Overtime meal expenses where you receive an overtime meal allowance.
- Living away from home expenses if you also receive the travel allowance for it.
- Phone for work-related purposes (must have diary of work-related usage)
- Compulsory assessments and medical examinations
- Licences and certificates relating to your truck driving work (Heavy duty license)
- Parking fees ad tolls for work-related trips
- Sleeping bags and pillow for mandatory rest break as a long-haul driver
- The cost of work-related logbooks, diaries and pens.
- Work-related use of sunglasses, sunhats and sunscreen lotions
- Work-related tools and equipment
- Truck washing
- Fees from joining a union/other similar organisations
Courses And Self-Education
- First aid courses
- Self-education, seminars, conferences and courses that are related to your employment.
Higher Education Contribution Scheme Higher Education Loan Program (HECS-HELP) scheme are not deductible.
Car Expenses Using Cents Per Km
- Driving between separate jobs on the same day (provided neither of the workplaces is your home) – for example, you drive for 2 separate employers
- To and from alternate workplaces/meeting locations for the same employer on the same day – for example, travelling between depots
- From home directly to an alternative workplace – for example, travelling from home to a depot other than your regular depot to fill in for another driver.
To claim car expenses you must own the car and maintain a logbook of travel.
Maximising your Tax Return with an online tax agent
There will be more tax tips and deductions for Australian truck drivers that aren’t on this list. Tax deductions are not only industry specific, but also change from individual to individual.
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