What Accountants Can Claim
These are the most common deductions the ATO accepts for accountants. Remember the three rules: you spent the money yourself, it's directly related to earning your income, and you have records to prove it.
| Common Deductions for Accountants |
|---|
| CPA/CA annual membership and CPD |
| Professional indemnity insurance |
| Tax and accounting software subscriptions |
| Home office expenses |
| Self-education (further qualifications) |
| Professional journals and publications |
| Laptop and second monitor |
| Phone (client calls) |
Average Claim
The typical accountant claims around $2,400 in work-related deductions per year. If your claim is significantly above this, make sure your records are bulletproof — the ATO data-matches your claim against others in your occupation.
Watch Out
Your own tax return preparation fees are deductible if they include work-related schedules. But study for a new qualification (e.g., moving from bookkeeping to accounting) is not deductible — it must relate to your current role.
How to Claim
Report your deductions at Item D1 (work-related expenses) in your tax return. Use myTax or a tax agent. Keep receipts for 5 years. For items under $300, you get an instant deduction. For items over $300 (laptops, tools), you depreciate them over their effective life.
The $300 No-Receipt Rule
You can claim up to $300 in total work-related expenses without receipts. But the ATO can still ask you to show how you calculated the amount. This is a total across ALL categories — not $300 per item.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can accountants claim on tax?
Common deductions for accountants include: cpa/ca annual membership and cpd, professional indemnity insurance, tax and accounting software subscriptions, home office expenses, and more. The average claim is around $2,400.
Do I need receipts?
For claims totalling over $300 in work-related expenses, yes. Keep all receipts for 5 years from the date you lodge your return. Digital copies are accepted.
How much do accountants usually claim?
The average accountant claims about $2,400 per year in work-related deductions. Claims well above average are more likely to be audited.