If you incur expenses related to your work, it is important to know what you can claim and also to keep track of your work-related expenses as you will need documentation to support the amount if it is more than $300. In addition, only claim what you are entitled to and keep all relevant receipts and documentation for five years.

To help you get the best tax return possible, here are few things to check before completing your tax return.

1. Are you eligible for the Superannuation Co-contribution? Try ATO Super Co-conribution Calculator
2. If you use your car for work, don’t forget to claim your motor vehicle expenses. Check ATO's Car Deduction Calculator.
3. A 20% tax offset is available for out of pocket medical expenses over $1500. ATO's Calculator to help you work out your deduction.
4. Donations of over $2 made to a deductible gift recipient are tax deductible. Donations that you can claim click here.
5. The cost of having your tax return prepared is also an allowable deduction.
6. Income Protection insurance premiums can also be a tax deduction. See description this link ATO.
7. Small business owners who are selling business assets can take advantage of extremely generous "small business CGT concessions." More information see ATO.
8. You can claim up to $300 of work related expenses without the need to have written receipts. However once your claim exceeds $300 you must have receipts for the full amount.
9. Don’t forget all those miscellaneous work expenses such as union fees, seminars, trade journals, software and home office expenses. Even an appointment diary can be deductible. See ATO.
10. Check the ATO deductions fact sheet for your specific occupation to ensure that you are claiming everything that you are entitled to Click Here (ATO website).

Tax rates

2009–10

Taxable income	Tax on this income
0 – $6,000	Nil
$6,001 – $35,000	15c for each $1 over $6,000
$35,001 – $80,000	$4,350 plus 30c for each $1 over $35,000
$80,001 – $180,000	$17,850 plus 38c for each $1 over $80,000
$180,001 and over	$55,850 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000

The above rates do not include the Medicare levy of 1.5%

2010–11

Taxable income	Tax on this income
0 – $6,000	Nil
$6,001 – $37,000	15c for each $1 over $6,000
$37,001 – $80,000	$4,650 plus 30c for each $1 over $37,000
$80,001 – $180,000	$17,550 plus 37c for each $1 over $80,000
$180,001 and over	$54,550 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000

Non-residents

If you are a non-resident for the full year, the following rates apply:

2009–10

Taxable income	Tax on this income
0 – $35,000	29c for each $1
$35,001 – $80,000	$10,150 plus 30c for each $1 over $35,000
$80,001 – $180,000	$23,650 plus 38c for each $1 over $80,000
$180,001 and over	$61,650 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000

2010–11

Taxable income	Tax on this income
0 – $37,000	29c for each $1
$37,001 – $80,000	$10,730 plus 30c for each $1 over $37,000
$80,001 – $180,000	$23,630 plus 37c for each $1 over $80,000
$180,001 and over	$60,630 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000

Non-residents are not required to pay the Medicare levy.

Income of minors

A minor is a person who is under 18 years of age. Special rules apply to the income of minors.

Under these rules, certain types of income received by minors may be taxed at higher rates.

However, minors who are Australian residents do not have to lodge a tax return if they earn less than $3,001 in 2009–10. This is because the low income tax offset of $1,350 offsets the tax payable on income less than $3,001.

 

2009–10

Other income	Tax rates
$0 – $416	Nil
$417 – $1,307	Nil + 66% of the excess over $416
Over $1,307	45% of the total amount of income that is not excepted income

 

If the minor's taxable income is less than $63,750, they will get the low income tax offset. The maximum tax offset of $1,350 applies if their taxable income is $30,000 or less. This amount is reduced by four cents for each dollar over $30,000.