Tax Deductions for Contact Centre Workers – updated for 2023

It’s that time of the year again when you need to lodge your tax return, so to ensure you know what you can and can’t claim, we’ve put together this Tax Deductions for Contact Centre Workers in 2023 guide with some help from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Whilst none of us love paying tax, the reality is that it enables us to live the great lifestyle we have here in Australia and your tax dollars are spread across a range of functions.

But where you might ask?

What Contact Centre Workers can claim as Tax Deductions in 2023

It does seem to be getting tougher and tougher, but there are some legitimate ways you can claim to recover some of the tax you’ve paid if the expenses you incurred were related to your employment.

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.*
• You can only claim the work‑related portion of an expense.

You can’t claim a deduction for any part of an expense that does not directly relate to earning your income.

* You can use the myDeductions tool in the ATO app to keep track of your expenses and receipts throughout the year.

❌ You can’t claim the cost of normal trips between home and work, even if you live a long way from your usual workplace or work outside normal business hours – for example, weekends or early morning shifts.

✅ You can claim the cost of using a car you own when you drive:

• directly between separate jobs on the same day – for example, from your job in a call centre to your second job as a waiter
• to and from an alternate workplace for the same employer on the same day – for example, from your workplace to the company training centre. You can claim parking fees and tolls when you drive your car for work-related purposes – see car expenses conditions above.

✅ You can claim parking fees and tolls when you drive your car for work-related purposes – see car expenses conditions above.

With a few exceptions, clothing can’t be deducted as a work-related expense.

❌ You can’t claim the cost to buy, hire, repair or clean conventional clothing you wear for work, even if your employer requires you to wear it and you only wear these items of clothing at work. ‘Conventional clothing’ is everyday clothing worn by people – for example, business attire worn by office workers or plain black pants.

✅ You can claim the cost to buy, hire, repair or clean clothing if it is:

• a compulsory uniform – clothing you are explicitly required to wear by a workplace agreement or policy, which is strictly and consistently enforced, and is sufficiently distinctive to your organisation. For example, an embroidered shirt with your employer’s logo that is compulsory for you to wear at work.
• non-compulsory uniforms that are registered with AusIndustry (check with your employer if you’re not sure).

❌ You can’t claim a deduction if your employer pays for or reimburses you for these expenses.

✅ You can claim self-education, study, seminar and training expenses if your course relates directly to your current job as a call centre operator and it:

• maintains or improves the skills and knowledge you need for your current duties
• results in or is likely to result in an increase in your income from your current employment – for example, studying for a Certificate III in Customer Engagement.

You need to be able to show how the course relates to your employment and have records for the expenses you claim – such as receipts for course fees, text books, stationery and travel expenses.

❌ You can’t claim a deduction if your study is only related in a general way to your current job or is designed to help you get a new job. For example, a call centre operator can’t claim the cost of a course that would enable you to become a mortgage broker.

❌ You can’t claim a deduction if your employer pays for or reimburses you for these expenses

✅ If you work from home, you can claim a deduction for expenses you incur that relate to your work. You must:

• use one of the methods set out by us to calculate your deduction
• keep the correct records for the method you use.

❌ You can’t claim:

• coffee, tea, milk and other general household items, even if your employer provides these at work
• items your employer provides – for example, a laptop or a phone
• any items where your employer pays for or reimburses you for the expense.

If you’re eligible, there are two ways to calculate your WFH deduction this tax time – the revised fixed rate method, or the actual cost method.

From 1 July 2022, the revised fixed rate method has increased from 52 cents to 67 cents per hour worked from home, and no longer requires you to have a dedicated home office space.

The expenses covered in the rate, and the records you’ll need to keep, have changed too.

✅ You can claim the work-related portion of other expenses that relate to your employment, including:

• logbooks, diaries and pens that you use for work and aren’t provided by your employer
• union and professional association fees
• phone and internet costs, with records showing your work-related use.

❌ You can’t claim:

• parking at your normal place of work, or public transport, taxi or ride-share expenses from home to work, even if you work split shifts or unusual hours
• compulsory pre-employment assessments – for example, a hearing assessment you need to pass as a condition of employment • costs associated with getting a new job, like paying a professional to write your job application
• childcare
• food, drinks or snacks you consume during your normal shift
• grooming expenses, such as hairdressing, skin care products or cosmetics.

❌ You can’t claim a deduction if the cost was met or reimbursed by your employer.

Summary

With the cost of living continuing to rise in 2023 there has never been a more important time to make sure you maximise your tax return and get every cent you can back in your pocket!

Whilst these tips act as a general guide, it always pays to engage a registered tax professional for the best advice.