Lodging this year's tax return: Navigating Covid-19 work related expenses

It’s been a strange couple of months and right before the end of this financial year many will have to wade through new territory in terms of deductions resulting from the pop up of new home offices during this era of ‘unprecedented times’.

“We know many of our clients and their agents will have questions about how different types of income and expenses may affect their obligations this year. We’re helping to make sure people know how to get it right.” said Assistant Commissioner Karen Foat from the ATO.

Working from home expenses

The short cut method makes it easier for the millions of Australians who have incurred some form of expense for working from home as a result of COVID-19. It covers all deductible expenses and can be used by multiple people working from home in the same house. People claiming their working from home expenses using the shortcut method, should include the amount at the ‘other work-related expenses’ question in your tax return and include ‘COVID-hourly rate’ as the description.

“If you use the shortcut method, all you need to do is keep a record of the hours you worked from home as evidence of your claim. But it is all inclusive, meaning you can’t claim for any other working from home expenses,” Ms Foat said.

Taxpayers can still choose to use one of the other existing methods to calculate their expenses for working from home if they prefer.

Protective clothing

Another deduction some people might be claiming due to COVID-19 is expenses for protective items required for work.

“Taxpayers working in jobs that require physical contact or close proximity with customers or clients during COVID-19 measures may be able to claim a deduction for items such as gloves, face masks, sanitiser or anti-bacterial spray if they have paid for the items and not been reimbursed. This includes industries like healthcare, retail and hospitality” Ms Foat said.

You still cannot claim travelling from home to work

“Generally, most people cannot claim the cost of travelling to and from work and working from home as a result of COVID-19 does not change this. For example, if you are working from home because of COVID-19 but need to go to your regular office one day per week, your home to work travel is still private travel and cannot be claimed,” Ms Foat said.

Reduce claims that aren’t relevant for part of the year

“With more people working from home, working reduced hours or unfortunately not working at all, we expect to see claims for laundry expenses or travel expenses decline this year,” Ms Foat said.

“If you aren’t travelling for work, you can’t claim travel expenses. If you aren’t wearing your work uniform, you can’t claim laundry expenses. It’s still important to meet the three golden rules: you must have spent the money and not have been reimbursed, it must relate directly to earning your income, and you must have a record to prove it.

What you can claim really depends on your circumstances. Whilst we are trying to make it easier for people to claim what they are entitled to; we are also asking people to take a bit of extra care if their circumstances have changed this year.” Ms Foat said.

What if my income is different?

JobKeeper and JobSeeker
Taxpayers who have received JobKeeper payments from their employer, don’t need to do anything different. The payments will be included as salary and wages and/or allowances, in their regular income statement, which their employer provides directly to the ATO.

“Your income statement can be accessed via myGov and the information is automatically included into your tax return by the end of July. If you use a tax agent, they also have access to this information. The figures in your income statement should already include any JobKeeper you have received. If you aren’t sure, check with your employer.

Sole traders who have received the JobKeeper payment on behalf of their business will need to include the payments as assessable income for the business.

If you have received JobSeeker, the ATO will also load this information into your tax return at the Government Payments and Allowances question once it’s ready. If you are lodging before this information is included for you, you will need to make sure you include it. Leaving out income can slow your return down or result in a bill later so it’s definitely best avoided.

Stand down payments

Some employees may have received a one-off or regular payment after being temporarily stood down due to COVID-19. These payments are also taxable and appear in their income statement and in their return. If people aren’t sure whether these amounts have been included in their income statement, they should check with their employer.

Other income types

Similarly, taxpayers need to include income such as income protection, sickness or accident insurance payments, redundancy payments and accrued leave payments in their tax return. The tax return instructions explain how to include these amounts.

Early access to superannuation

“If you received early access to your super this year under the special arrangements due to COVID-19, any amounts you’ve withdrawn from super under this program are tax-free and you do not need to declare them in your tax return,” Ms Foat said.

Video Credit: Mat Wat
Photography: Andrey Popov

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