2019/20 Individual Tax Return Checklist

Tax saving strategies prior to 1 July 2020

A good strategy to reduce tax payable is normally to accelerate any income tax deductions into the current income year, which will reduce overall taxable income in the current year.  Despite this, for the 2020 tax season, tax planning may require consideration of an individual’s potentially reduced income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (where applicable), in which case a decision may be made to defer expenditure.

Resident taxable income thresholds for the 2019/20 income year Tax payable1
0 – $18,200 Nil
$18,201 – $37,000 19% of excess over $18,200
$37,001 – $90,000 $3,572 + 32.5% of excess over $37,000
$90,001 – $180,000 $20,797 + 37% of excess over $90,000
$180,001 and over $54,097 + 45%of excess over $180,000

1.  The Medicare levy of 2% generally applies in addition to these rates

Your Checklist

  • Claims for deductions
  • Receipts for deductions
  • Car claims and log books

Please review the information below and contact our office if you need assistance.

Common claims made by individuals

The following outlines common types of deductible expenses claimed by individual taxpayers, such as employees and rental property owners, plus some strategies that may be adopted to increase deductions for the 2019/20 income year.

1. Depreciable plant, etc, costing $300 or less

Salary and wage earners and rental property owners will generally be entitled to an immediate deduction if certain income-producing assets costing $300 or less are purchased before 1 July 2020. 

Some purchases you may consider include:

  • books and trade journals;
  • briefcases/luggage or suitcases;
  • calculators or electronic organisers;
  • electronic tablets;
  • software;
  • stationery; and
  • tools of trade.

2. Clothing expenses

Individuals can purchase or pay for work-related clothing expenses prior to the end of the income year such as:

  • compulsory (or non-compulsory and registered) uniforms, and occupation specific and protective clothing; and
  • other associated expenses such as dry-cleaning, laundry and repair expenses.

3. Self education expenses

Individuals could consider prepaying self education items before the end of the income year:

  • course fees (but not HELP repayments), student union fees, and tutorial fees; and
  • interest on borrowings used to pay for any deductible self education expenses.

Also they could bring forward purchases of stationery and text books (i.e., those which are not required to be depreciated).

4. Other work-related expenses

Employees can also prepay any of the following expenses prior to 1 July 2020:

  • union fees;
  • subscriptions to trade, professional or business associations;
  • magazine and professional journal subscriptions;
  • seminars and conferences; and
  • income protection insurance (excluding death and total/permanent disability).

Note: When prepaying any of the expenses above before 1 July 2020, ensure that any services being paid for are to be provided within a 12 month period that ends before 1 July 2021.  Otherwise, the deductions must generally be claimed proportionately over the period of the prepayment.

Information Required

We will need you to provide information to assist us in preparing your income tax return.  Please check the following and provide any relevant statements, accounts, receipts, etc., to help us prepare your return.

Income/Receipts:

  • details of your employer(s) and wages;
  • lump sum and termination payments;
  • government pensions and allowances;
  • other pensions and/or annuities (including JobKeeper payments);
  • allowances (e.g., entertainment, car, tools);
  • interest, rent and dividends;
  • distributions from partnerships or trusts; and
  • details of any assets sold that were either used for income-earning purposes or which may be liable for capital gains tax (‘CGT’).

Expenses/Deductions (in addition to those mentioned above):

  • award transport allowance claims;
  • bank charges on income-earning accounts (e.g., term deposits);
  • bridge/road tolls (travelling on business);
  • car parking (when travelling on business);
  • conventions, conferences and seminars;
  • depreciation of library, tools, business equipment (incl. portion of home computer);
  • gifts or donations;
  • home office running expenses:
    • cleaning
    • cooling and heating
    • depreciation of office furniture
    • lighting
    • telephone and internet;
  • interest and dividend deductions:
    • account keeping fees
    • ongoing management fees
    • interest on borrowings to acquire shares
    • advice relating to changing investments (but not setting them up);
  • interest on loans to purchase equipment or income-earning investments;
  • motor vehicle expenses (work related);
  • overtime meal expenses;
  • rental property expenses – including:
    • advertising expenses
    • council/water rates
    • insurance
    • interest
    • land tax
    • legal expenses/management fees
    • genuine repairs and maintenance
    • telephone expenses;
  • superannuation contributions;
  • sun protection items;
  • tax agent fees;
  • telephone expenses (business); and
  • tools of trade.

Please contact us on 03 8419 9800 if you need assistance or would like to book in a meeting.

This article contains general advice only. It does not take into account your or your business objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek advice from a financial planner, accountant or other professional adviser before making any financial decision based on this information. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation, other than for the acts or omissions of financial services licensees.

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