Tax Tips for Teachers: Common Deductions You Might Be Missing

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As a teacher, you might be spending your own money on classroom resources, uniforms, or even home internet.

This guide explains what teacher tax deductions Australia allows for the 2024–25 financial year — so you can maximise your return and stay ATO-compliant.

Common Teacher Tax Deductions Australia Allows

👕 Work Clothing

You can claim:

  • Uniforms with logos
  • Protective clothing (e.g. lab coats, hats)

You can’t claim: Regular clothes like pants or dresses, even if you wear them to school.

👉 ATO: Clothing and laundry

📚 Teaching Materials

You may be able to claim:

  • Books, pens, stationery
  • Posters, rewards, folders
  • Apps or online tools used for class prep

💻 Working From Home

Planning lessons at home? You can claim:

  • Power, internet, phone use
  • Office desk, chair, laptop (part of the cost)

Choose:

  • 70c/hour method, or
  • Actual cost method with records

👉 ATO: Home office expenses

✈️ Work Travel

You can claim:

  • Travel between schools
  • Trips to PD events or conferences
  • Parking, public transport, or tolls

Not claimable: Normal travel from home to school.

👉 ATO: Travel expenses

🎓 Study and Training

If it relates to your current role, you can claim:

  • Course fees
  • Textbooks
  • Internet and travel for study

You can’t claim study that helps you switch careers.

👉 ATO: Self-education

📝 Union and Memberships

You can claim:

  • Union fees (like AEU)
  • Professional associations
  • Education journals

👉 ATO: Membership deductions

Often Missed

  • Blue light glasses
  • Parent call phone usage
  • Classroom prizes or décor
  • Home internet for school admin

ATO Red Flags

Avoid:

  • Claiming plain clothes as uniforms
  • Overclaiming laptops or phone bills
  • Forgetting to keep receipts
  • Claiming 67c/hour + separate internet (pick one)

Teacher Tax Checklist

  • School-branded uniform receipts
  • Classroom supply receipts
  • Record of home office hours
  • Phone/internet usage summary
  • Union/membership receipts
  • Training or course receipts
  • Travel for PD or events

Make the Most of Tax Time

Teaching often means going the extra mile — and sometimes paying for it yourself. But many of those work costs can be claimed at tax time.

At MyDigiTax, we help teachers get back every dollar they’re entitled to. Fast, simple, and ATO-compliant.

👉 Start your return now

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