Tax Deductions for Mechanics

Tax deductions are the mechanics of your tax return. They will make sure your tax return is running efficiently and smoothly! Here are some tax deductible expenses for mechanics. Don’t leave anything out of your online tax return. If you save every little bit, and deduct everything you’re entitled to, the tax return can be massive. 

When it comes down to it, there are three main criteria that qualifies an expense for tax deduction, 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

However, this in itself can be hard to understand. What constitutes an expense as “related” to your job? Here is what defines your taxable income, and a list of expenses that you as a mechanic in Australia can deduct on your next online tax return.

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 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 Mechanics  

Mechanic Specific 

1. Buying mechanic specific clothing and uniforms 
2. The cost to laundry mechanic work clothes/uniforms  
3. Protective clothing items that mechanics use (hi vis, boots, helmets, sun protection etc) 
4. Purchase of equipment and tools (hammers, screwdrivers, lubricants, wrenches, socket sets etc) up to $300 
5. Depreciation expense of equipment and tools (hoists and heavy duty machines etc) over $300
6. The repair and/or upkeep of mechanics tools and equipment 
7. Interest generated from loans relating to work activities
8. Self-education and courses for work
9. Licenses for mechanics 
10. Fees from joining a union/other similar organisations 
11. Subscriptions and magazines
12. Travel expenses if work related (conferences etc)
13. Driving between two places of work in your own vehicle. This is usually best claimed using the cents per km method of claiming a tax deduction.

Mechanics Tools and Items 

This expense will most likely be your biggest area for tax deduction. It is very important that you closely record what your expenses are, and keep the receipts/proof of purchase. 

Mechanic Protective Clothing 

Don’t try to skip out on safety in your garage. Just remember, the things that you spend on safety as a mechanic can be claimed back as a tax deduction. 

Mechanic Tool Depreciation and Write Offs

Any tools you may be using valued over $300, such as a car hoist, are susceptible to depreciation expense. Say your hoist depreciates, or it extends its usable life and has to be written off, you can claim this as a tax deductible expense. 

Self Education Courses and Licenses

Any self-improvement courses or licenses to keep you operating as a mechanic can be claimed back as tax. Make sure you are recording what you have paid and done.

General 

1. Car expenses and general wear if your car use is work related (estimated Km or a logbook with all expense items)
2. Travel expenses for your work (flights, taxis and trains etc)
3. Accommodation needed on work reasons (including meals)
4. Phone bills for work
5. Work related computing 
6. Working from home costs 
7. Self-education 
8. Tax return fees dating to the year previous 
9. Insurances 
10. Rental expense (if you are renting)
11. Charity donations and gifts
12. Sun protection (if you have to work outside)

Maximising Your Tax Return With An Online Tax Agent

There will be more tax deductions for mechanics that aren’t on this list. Tax deductions are not only industry specific, but also change from individual to individual.

The best way to claim the most you can is with a tax agent like One Click Life. We have made the process simple with 5 easy steps.

The more you deduct, the less tax you pay and the more money you can spend on yourself. Clearly, you will want to deduct the most you can. The sure-fire way to do that is with a tax agent or accountant. If you can claim your tax agent/tax return fee back on tax, why wouldn’t you use one to minimise your tax?

One Click Life fast offers online tax returns at your fingertips in an easy-to-use platform run by industry professionals. 

Taxes, health insurance, and wills can be time-consuming and tedious. Our app allows you to be able to do this fuss-free, giving you a simple way to organise, track and manage all of your life admin in one place.
Let One Click Life take care of your tax return and life’s essential tasks, so you can spend more time doing the things you love.