If you're a freelancer, you probably have some idea of what you can claim at tax time.
But there are some tax deductions that you might not know about so we've put together this handy list for you.
1. Buy new stuff now
If you need a new laptop, phone, tools or other equipment, buying these before the end of the tax year might be a good time to buy them (you'll no doubt see all the end-of-financial-year advertising too!)
2. Prepay your expenses
If you operate on a cash basis and can prepay business expenses, like travel, training, rent, phone or internet up to a year in advance, you can claim a tax deduction on them.
3. Your website
There's a good chance you can claim some of the costs associated with your website - both one-off and ongoing costs, in the year that you incur them. Examples include website hosting, domain names or website development.
4. Bad debts
If someone doesn’t pay for your services, you might be able to claim a tax deduction on their unpaid bill. Your accountant can explain how to document it properly so you can claim it in your tax return.
5. Personal super contributions (Australia)
If you’re paying your own super there’s a good chance you can claim a tax deduction on it up to $35,000 in annual payments. The ATO explains this more here and don’t forget to read the part about notifying your fund before you claim the deduction.
6. Insurance
You can claim a tax deduction for insurance premiums on policies that protect against loss of income, like income protection or salary continuance insurance. You can’t claim the costs of life, trauma or critical care insurance though.
7. Your accountant
Yes, in a beautiful circle of tax harmony, you can claim a deduction on your accountant’s fees in your tax return.
Other tax deductions for freelancers
Just in case you need a reminder, here's a quick list of the more common things you can claim:
- Home office expenses, such as a percentage (not all) of your rent or mortgage, mobile phone bill and utility bills including internet. Try using the ATO’s home office expenses calculator and check out the (more limiting) HMRC guide in what you can claim
- Other home office expenses, such as stationery
- Vehicle expenses such as fuel and maintenance costs, as long as you own the car and the travel is part of your working day (excluding driving to and from work), such as driving to visit clients or special trips to the post office or bank
- Gifts to clients
- Donations of $2 or more
- Study, courses or seminars
And don't forget to save receipts for all of these things.
Please be aware that this info is general in nature - it's not personal tax advice. If you would like personal advice, please don't hesitate to contact us for your specific circumstances.