Is a TV Tax Deductible?

StonedWizard on 04/05/2017 - 20:27
Last edited 04/05/2017 - 21:07

I'm a basic admin office worker who has been given the option of working from home. I know I can claim a desk, chair, printer.

But would it be fine to claim the cost of a TV if I use it as a monitor ?
It will be in the study and sit on my desk.

A 27" or bigger monitor is going to be around the $500 mark and i'll need 2 of them. I was thinking for the same money or less I can buy a 50' tv. But I don't know if the tax man will think a tv isn't practical as a monitor. I've used a tv as a monitor in the past and very happy going down this path.

I called the ATO but they weren't any help and told me it's self regulated so i'll have to buy it and try my luck (wtf). The tv would be used 99% of the time for work. I just don't want to waste money or get audited and go through that hassle.

Has anyone had any experience claiming this ?

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Comments

  • supnigs super skids on 04/05/2017 - 20:39
    +1

    How much do you use it for "work". Really

    • StonedWizard on 04/05/2017 - 21:00

      It will sit on my desk in the study,won't be used to watch TV on. I'll be using it as a monitor.

      • supnigs super skids on 04/05/2017 - 21:08

        As long as you can justify its usage if it turns to an enquiry why not

        • StonedWizard on 04/05/2017 - 21:15

          How would I prove that i'm actually using it as a monitor and not as a TV?

          Does the ATO come to my house or do I just send them a photo ?

        • Nugs on 05/05/2017 - 06:34
          +1

          @sshazam:

          is there an aerial point adjacent? a lack of one would suggest not using as a tv

        • ronnknee on 05/05/2017 - 12:17

          @sshazam: I suppose they wouldn't bother doing that.

          Anything you say to them, you sign a declaration that it is completely true. False declarations come with penalties. However, they wouldn't be able to prove otherwise though.

        • robbo135 on 05/05/2017 - 21:11

          @sshazam:

          Show them your eye tests from your optometrist :P That'll prove you're using a 50" tv as your monitor

        • cybapete on 07/05/2017 - 06:59

          @sandp:

          not necessarily you could still use it to watch netflix or stan if it has wifi

  • airzone on 04/05/2017 - 20:39

    A TV?

    You mean a monitor that attaches to your computer and not to a TV antenna?

    • StonedWizard on 04/05/2017 - 21:01

      Well I'd be buying a tv like a hisense and use that to plug my laptop into as a monitor.

  • Diji1 on 04/05/2017 - 20:40
    +2

    If you tell them it's used for work 99% of the time they'll take off 1%.

    • FirstNameLastName on 05/05/2017 - 19:03

      yeah and they prob typed that note on your 'account' when you called.
      better stick to this story or you'll be red-flagged for an audit :)

      • StonedWizard on 05/05/2017 - 23:36

        I didn't give any details and put my number on private.

  • KitchenSink on 04/05/2017 - 20:41
    +2

    You're gonna sit less than a metre in front of a 50" TV?

    • StonedWizard on 04/05/2017 - 21:01

      I did this throughout uni with my old setup. I'm actually used to it now and find it really good.

      • ChillBro on 05/05/2017 - 19:10
        +4

        We're over here, sshazam.

  • CheapskateQueen on 04/05/2017 - 20:43
    +1

    Isn't 50 inch TV a bit too big as a monitor?

    If you're actually using it as a monitor and can prove that you do, it's fine. Although I'm still confused by a 50inch screen. That might be a little implausible?

    • StonedWizard on 04/05/2017 - 21:03

      This was my fear cause idk how I can prove I'm not trying to scam the system. I'd just rather save my money since you don't get the full amount of the deduction.

      I just don't want to pay $1k+ for a pair of 27"+ monitors when I can buy a TV for less. I like having the extra screen realestate

      • davidmwilliams on 05/05/2017 - 19:27
        +2

        Do you really have extra screen real estate?

        The resolution of a TV - which I am guessing will be HD - is going to be less than that of two 27" monitors.

        You're just getting a larger picture but not more pixels.

  • scotty on 04/05/2017 - 20:46
    +2

    If it's for work then yes it would be tax deductible. I went to a supplier's office the other day, and this guy has a 24" monitor on the desk and a 50" TV on the wall showing real-time figures.

    However not all TV are suitable as monitors, ie ability to display chroma 4:4:4.

    • airzone on 04/05/2017 - 20:49

      I had a JB hifi 55" unit that had terrible input lag..

    • StonedWizard on 04/05/2017 - 21:05

      Do you know if he had any issues with the ATO?

      I just want to use a TV as a monitor but don't want hasssle with the tax man. I've used this type of set up before and I'm fine with it. But that was during my uni days and didn't claim it

      • chumlee on 04/05/2017 - 21:29
        -1

        If ATO asks and thats a big IF then you need to give a justification so just explain it like you have here. But seriously with all the rorting going on with other taxpayers they will not worry about a $500 tv.

        Also i think you will need to depreciate it rather than claim full amount as over $300

        • StonedWizard on 04/05/2017 - 21:41

          Thanks for the help ! I just didn't want to take any chances.

          It's annoying when I called the ATO for help and they don't even offer it to you.

        • Sage on 04/05/2017 - 22:42

          Where'd you get $500 from? upwards of 1 grand, even upwards of 2 grand.

        • mskeggs on 05/05/2017 - 07:32
          +1

          @sshazam:
          But they did. They said you can claim legitimate business expenses, and that you need to prove they are legitimate.
          In your case, I would urge you not to connect an antenna, and take a photo of the TV set up at your workspace, and point out you are not claiming any other monitor.
          Further, I would stop calling it a TV, and start calling it a monitor, as that is what you are using it for. If I buy all my (fictional) staff black Versace shirts they stop being a fashion item, and become best described as a uniform, even though if I buy the same item for my kid who doesn't work there it remains a fashion item.

          In the same way, if I buy an industrial printer from a commercial printer going out of business, but I use it to print coloring in sheets for my kids, it isn't eligible for a tax deduction just because the purpose it was built happens to be for business.

          The way the tax office deals with all these ambiguities is to insist you demonstrate that your use is for business.
          Again, in your case, if you have a series of other home office expenses, an employer agreement to work from home, and a 50in "monitor" that happens to say Hisense TV on the invoice, I would think you would be fine.

        • StonedWizard on 05/05/2017 - 23:39

          @mskeggs:

          It's definitely not going to be plugged into the wall. I call it a tv cause it's sold as a tv.

          I just thought this would be cheaper than buying 2 x monitors. It's simply going to be put on top of my study desk and have my laptop plugged into it.
          When i claim I was going to put it in as a monitor but just in case the ATO came back and wanted to see the receipt.

  • Randxyz123 on 04/05/2017 - 21:54
    +3

    Why not just buy 2x 24" monitors ?

    You're gonna be way to close to a 50" tv to work efficiently… It will also have shit input lag.

    Maybe it's just a personal thing but I'd rather have 2 monitors

  • bobbified on 04/05/2017 - 22:34
    +3

    The screen size vs screen resolution of a TV would look pretty bad up close compared to an actual monitor. ie, the pixel density.

    It seems like the pixels are aligned differently on a TV too, so the image looks quite strange when it's used as a monitor. Especially true if you're going to be doing word processing or something similar.

    • Sage on 04/05/2017 - 22:43

      You can adjust PC screen settings for TV overscan.

  • Sage on 04/05/2017 - 22:40

    They're advised to never say yes to specific questions of what can be claimed because it can cause trouble if it turns out they were wrong. Which happens because situations can vary so much.

    If you're not using the TV purely for work then you're supposed to separate work related percentage of time it's used for. This needs to be backed up with proof such as an hourly schedule. If you have that then it doesn't matter if you get audited.

    • mskeggs on 05/05/2017 - 07:37

      And a little further, the ATO does issue formal rulings from time to time on how to account for items or demonstrate business use (for example, suitable records for car mileage).

      In specific circumstances, you can also seek a formal opinion from a tax lawyer. These will write you a letter stating their level of confidence in you claim to a deduction, and if you subsequently have a deduction they assured you was ok, you can sue them for professional negligence. What actually happens is they would only give you an opinion they were very confident could be upheld at the ATO.

      Now in the case of a TV as a deduction this is overkill, but if you are unsure about deductibility of an arrangement during a business sale (for example) or similar, a fee of a few thousand dollars to get a definite opinion is worth it.

      • moar bargains on 05/05/2017 - 12:25
        +1

        Alternatively (and once again probably overkill), you can apply for a private ruling from the ATO, which is where you submit your case to them and give them the details and they will tell you if it's OK or not.
        I wasn't aware of these until I started asking questions about complicated Self education travel expenses. I ended up not bothering, but it's there if OP is keen.

  • jelko on 04/05/2017 - 23:05

    It's fine to use a TV as a monitor and claim it as a tax deduction. Just do it. As long as you're happy with one huge monitor then that's fine.

  • aboabo on 05/05/2017 - 00:08

    Get a TV with PIP so you can watch 'Police Woman' while you work.

  • KaTst3R on 05/05/2017 - 00:09

    You can even tax deduct your internet and mobile phone bill if you work from home. Have to pro-rate of course but up to your discretion.

  • aboabo on 05/05/2017 - 11:58

    Is a large graphics monitor (with an array of rear sockets) tax deductible?

    Yes.

  • HeWhoKnows on 05/05/2017 - 12:20

    You have to ask whats reasonable. A small TV up to 26" - probably yes if it is used 100% for work/business. A big TV might raise some eyebrows at the tax office and prompt a tax audit. Be careful

  • ChillBro on 05/05/2017 - 19:13

    A wise man once told me that anything is tax deductible if you're brave enough.

    I should probably visit him again, he's probably getting bored in his prison cell.

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