1. Child Care Rebate
This is no longer claimed on your income tax return. This rebate is now paid direct by Centrelink to each eligible person quarterly or annually.
2. Motor Vehicle Claims
If you keep diary notes of your kilometre travel relating to work then you can claim these on your tax return at a set rate per kilometre.
The maximum claim is 5000km, but there is no need to keep invoices or evidence of how much you spend on petrol or car costs.
Work kilometres will not include home to work, except for those in the building industry who have tools in the car, but will include errands, collecting mail, banking and picking up or dropping off goods.
3. Registered Tax Agents
Use a registered tax agent as Australian Tax Office (ATO) statistics show that refunds on average are lower for people who do their own tax returns.
To lodge tax returns online at the lowest cost but by having a CPA check your details and finalise the tax return, go to www.itaxonline.com.au.
4. Home office costs
You can claim 20 cents per hour to cover light and power while you are working, reading, reviewing or checking the Internet for work from home.
5. Laundry or cleaning of work clothing
You can claim up to $150 for home laundering of work clothing if you have a uniform or wear protective clothing.
Source: R.J. Sanderson and Associates, Dandenong.
