tax return

What you can claim as tax breaks | NEWS.com.au

* Keep receipts for claims over $300
* Receipts have to be kept for up to five years
* Tax breaks: The first half of the list of what you can and can't claim

AS the tax cuts kick in this week, there is also the potential to get another tax break in the form of rebates.

In the second of a two-part series, the Taxation Institute of Australia shows what you can and can't claim.

Defence forces
Uniforms (buying, cleaning and maintaining), protective clothing, compulsory mess subscriptions, conferences, seminars, training courses (including travel), annual premium for endorsement on driver's licence.

Flight attendants and pilots
Moisturiser, hair conditioner, uniform shoes and hosiery, luggage trolleys, medical examinations for pilot's licence renewals.

Lawyers (employees)
Renewing annual practising certificate, cleaning and maintaining wigs and gowns, Supreme Court library fees, travel (if travelling between two places of employment or to see clients), income protection and indemnity insurance, professional association fees, professional library (depreciate over 10 years), briefcase ($300 or less, depreciate over $300).
Related Coverage

* Dust off records for a decent tax returnNEWS.com.au, 25 Jun 2008
* It's time to get your tax in orderNEWS.com.au, 10 Jun 2008
* US call for credit card bill of rightsNEWS.com.au, 5 Dec 2007
* Great holiday ideas and dealsNEWS.com.au,
* WACKY WORLD WEEKDaily Telegraph,

Nurses
Uniforms (including laboratory coats, aprons, special non-slip shoes), commissions to nursing agencies, annual practising certificates, fob-watch (not an ordinary wrist watch), conferences, seminars and training courses (including travel), laundry and maintenance of uniform, insuring tools and equipment, income protection insurance, work-related education, professional association or union fees, professional library (depreciated over 10 years).

Performing artists
Commissions to theatrical agents, lessons, stage make-up and cleansing materials, updating photographic portfolios, industry audio and video tapes, compact discs, theatre and film tickets.

Police officers
Extra equipment (ammunition, bullet proof clothing, holsters, handcuffs, gun cleaning materials), informant payments made in the course of duty, buying and cleaning uniform, footwear and accessories, training courses (including travel), professional association or union fees, annual premium for endorsement of driver's licence (work-related), depreciate self-supplied firearms and equipment.

Shop assistants
Union fees, professional association subscriptions, dustcoats, overalls, aprons, protective boots, dry cleaning, education, Retailers Association education expenses for traineeships.

Teachers
Protective clothing (laboratory coats, art smocks), teaching aids, excursions, school trips and camps, stop watches, home office expenses, professional library (depreciated over 10 years)

Train drivers
Union fees, permits, certificates, protective clothing, including cleaning.

Travelling salesmen
Vehicle costs, tolls, parking fees, samples and gifts to customers, accommodation and meals if travelling overnight away from home, professional association fees.

Truck drivers (employees)
Buying and cleaning protective clothing, uniforms, footwear, permits and certificates, premium on endorsement to driver's licence, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, professional association or union fees.

Truck drivers (owners)
Vehicle repairs and maintenance (depreciate vehicle), travel between depot and client (including parking fees, tolls), permits, certificates, premium on endorsement to driver's licence, buying and cleaning protective clothing (uniforms and footwear), sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, professional association or union fees, CB radio, portable refrigerator and sleeping gear (depreciated).

* The Taxation Institute of Australia says you must be able to show how you calculated your claims and you need documentation to support them, such as receipts (paper form, photocopied or electronically stored) if the total is more than $300.

The Australian Taxation Office also accepts statements of online banking and credit cards and BPAY reference numbers supported by bank statements. Then all receipts and supporting documentation must be kept for up to five years from the date you lodge your return

Technorati Tags: tax return tfn