To claim a deduction for work-related expenses:

• You must have spent the money yourself and weren’t reimbursed

• It must directly relate to earning your income

• You must have a record to prove it

Transport expenses are deductible when you travel in the course of performing your duties. This includes the cost of driving your car, flying, catching a train, taxi or bus.

Accommodation, meals and incidental expenses are deductible when you travel in the course of performing your duties and sleep away from home overnight.

Some things to remember:

You need to keep receipts – or other written evidence – for your travel expenses. There are some exceptions for expenses on accommodation, meals and incidental expenses.

You need to apportion your expenses if they are partly private in nature. If you travel on a work trip, you may not be required to apportion your costs where there is a minor private component that is merely incidental to the work.

If you travel away from home for six or more nights in a row, you need to keep travel records – such as a travel diary. This is in addition to keeping receipts for your expenses.

Receiving a travel allowance from your employer does not automatically entitle you to a deduction.

If any travel expenses are reimbursed, you cannot claim a deduction for them.

You can’t claim for normal trips between home and work even if you live a long way from where you work– this is private travel.

You can’t claim accommodation, meals and incidental expenses you incur in the course of relocating or living away from home.

For more information check out the ATO Travel Expenses here >>