What Real Estate Agents Can Claim
These are the most common deductions the ATO accepts for real estate agents. 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 Real Estate Agents |
|---|
| Car expenses (travel to inspections, open homes, client meetings) |
| Phone and internet (work portion) |
| Marketing materials and signage |
| Professional development and licensing |
| Client gifts under $300 |
| Home office (if working from home regularly) |
| Professional memberships (REINSW, REIV) |
| Laptop, tablet, camera for listings |
Average Claim
The typical real estate agent claims around $4,200 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
Client entertainment (dinners, drinks) is NOT deductible. Only gifts under $300 per client qualify. The ATO audits real estate agents at a higher-than-average rate.
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 real estate agents claim on tax?
Common deductions for real estate agents include: car expenses (travel to inspections, open homes, client meetings), phone and internet (work portion), marketing materials and signage, professional development and licensing, and more. The average claim is around $4,200.
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 real estate agents usually claim?
The average real estate agent claims about $4,200 per year in work-related deductions. Claims well above average are more likely to be audited.