What Journalists Can Claim
These are the most common deductions the ATO accepts for journalists. 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 Journalists |
|---|
| Phone and internet (work portion) |
| Home office expenses |
| Travel for stories and interviews |
| Recording equipment (microphone, camera, voice recorder) |
| Professional memberships (MEAA) |
| News subscriptions and reference materials |
| Laptop and equipment |
| Stationery and research expenses |
Average Claim
The typical journalist claims around $2,000 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
Entertainment with sources (buying a coffee to do an interview) is generally NOT deductible. Source entertainment is specifically excluded from work-related expense deductions.
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 journalists claim on tax?
Common deductions for journalists include: phone and internet (work portion), home office expenses, travel for stories and interviews, recording equipment (microphone, camera, voice recorder), and more. The average claim is around $2,000.
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 journalists usually claim?
The average journalist claims about $2,000 per year in work-related deductions. Claims well above average are more likely to be audited.