Tax Guide for Building and Construction Employees

Need clarity on your deductions? Don’t let the ATO’s rules trip you up. Here’s your blueprint to getting every dollar back.

✅ Key Takeaways

• You must meet the three golden rules to claim deductions: you paid for it yourself, it’s directly related to earning your income, and you hold records like receipts or bank statements. 

• Common deductible expenses include:

  • Vehicle & travel (e.g. trips between jobs, supply pickups—not your daily commute)

  • Protective clothing & PPE, such as steel‑cap boots, hi‑vis gear, uniforms with logos, sunscreen 

  • Tools & equipment, with depreciation rules for items over $300 

  • Licences & training, e.g. renewing forklift tickets or job‑related courses, as long as they apply to your current role 

  • Other work‑related expenses, including union fees, a portion of phone/internet usage, stationery, with records of calculations 

• Be especially vigilant about vehicle claims:

  • Use either cents‑per‑kilometre (88 c/km up to 5,000 km) or logbook method (detailed tracking over 12 weeks). Choose the one that maximizes your claim—just keep accurate records 

• Don’t fall for myths like “bulk tools make the commute deductible”—you must prove that tools are heavy, bulky (20 kg+), and that there’s no secure on‑site storage 

Looking for the full breakdown of every claimable item? Check it out: Tax Guide for Building and Construction Employees

---

Baron Tax & Accounting’s homepage is also available here: Baron Accounting Home