Tax Returns for Teachers and HECS Debt

Hello

I am trying to get all my documents and tax receipts in order to lodge my tax return. Is there anything I have forgotten to include in my list? Some teachers I know have shared they got a few thousand dollars back last year. I'm aware this will vary given salaries and the amount of tax paid. For the last financial year I paid close to $19,000 in tax if that's of any significance. I also have a $34,000 HECS debt and a vehicle that I have salary sacrificed.

So far I have:

Subscriptions
Union fees
Resources (made and purchased)
Last years tax return fee for accountant ($160)

Thanks OzBargain!

Related Stores

Australian Taxation Office
Australian Taxation Office

Comments

  • +1

    I teach as well and claim a ton of stuff- sunscreen, sunglasses, phone and computer depreciation, home office and internet costs, mileage etc. TMBank have a bit of an overview here which may be helpful, but I find a good tax agent is more than worth the outlay as they can really help you make the most of your deductions.
    https://www.tmbank.com.au/thinkbank/money-tips/tax-tips-for-…

    • Thanks! I forgot my internet costs. I am provided with a laptop so can't claim that. I will claim my hat and sunscreen except I don't know what happened to the receipts for those. I was told I can't claim mileage to and from school. I also work about 3 hours a night which is unpaid.

  • -7

    I’m pretty on top of my paperwork but have not been audited in 25+ years. You can’t claim mileage if your vehicle is salary sacrificed- sorry! You can claim a portion of electricity to power your work at night, I also claimed my phone/ plan as I call for casual coverage. Also have a few interstate and overseas ‘conferences’ that coincided with my travel plans. I often take in fruit for kids, buy them pencils or give them my own lunch, so I don’t feel any qualms over claiming my tax back.

    • +2

      I must’ve missed those lectures on fraud when I was doing my bachelor of education…

    • Wow conferences. Classic.

    • I never said I would claim mileage regardless of my salary sacrificed vehicle. I’ve never claimed mileage for any car of driven to and from my workplace.

  • +1

    How about seeing an accountant?

    • +2

      Why do that when you can get advice from your friendly local OzBargain Chartered Accounts for the discounted price of free?

      • +2

        Well it sounds like OP is new to this game and sitting down with a good accountant at least for the first time for a simple return can give a better understanding.

        • +1

          Agree, my reply was a joke :)

    • Yes I will. It just helps to collate everything so I don’t get to my appointment and I’ve left something at home. I’m time poor as it is.

  • +1

    Apart from what's already mentioned:

    Brief case / trolley bag / whatever you have all the homework in.

    Desk / table / whatever you mark the homework on

    Shelves that you store educational aids on

  • This has been my argument. A personal trainer/Bouncer should be able to claim food above what is needed to survive and supplements.

    • Sex workers and adult performers can claim back breast implants and sex toys…

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