A Member of The Taxwise Client Club, who is to remain anonymous, has asked the following question.
"I had an operation to remove varicous veins. Because of my job, where I stand for long periods of time, the surgeon recommended that I wear compression pantyhose. They cost $125.00 a pair. Can I claim these pantyhose costs as a tax deduction? I don’t wear them in my free time, as I can sit down when it suits me."
The Tax Office seems to be Jewish in nature by answering the above question with a question - DID YOU HAVE ANY UNIFORM, OCCUPATION SPECIFIC CLOTHING, PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, LAUNDRY OR DRY-CLEANING EXPENSES THAT RELATE TO YOUR WORK AS AN EMPLOYEE ?
Compulsory Uniforms
A compulsory uniform is a set of clothing that, worn together, identifies you as an employee of an organisation having a strictly enforced policy that makes it compulsory for you to wear the uniform while at work.
You may be able to claim a deduction for shoes, socks and stockings if they are an essential part of a distinctive compulsory uniform, the characteristics of which – colour, style, type – are specified in your employer’s uniform policy.
Wearing of the uniform must be consistently enforced. If your employer requires you to wear a distinctive uniform but does not consistently enforce the wearing of the uniform, the design of the uniform must be registered before you can claim a deduction.
Single items of compulsory clothing You may be able to claim for a single item of distinctive clothing, such as a jumper or tie, if it is compulsory for you to wear it at work. Generally, clothing is distinctive if it has the employer’s logo permanently attached and the clothing is not available to the general public.
Non-compulsory uniforms or corporate wardrobe
If your employer requires or encourages you to wear a distinctive uniform or corporate wardrobe but does not consistently enforce the wearing of it, you can claim a deduction for the cost of the clothing only if the design of the clothing is registered. If you wear a non-compulsory uniform or corporate wardrobe, you cannot claim for stockings, socks or shoes as these items cannot be registered as part of a non-compulsory uniform. Your employer can tell you if your uniform or corporate wardrobe is registered.
Protective clothing
You can claim a deduction for the cost of buying, hiring, replacing or maintaining protective clothing. Protective clothing is clothing that you wear to protect yourself from the risk of illness or injury posed by your income-earning activities or the environment in which you are required to carry them out – for example, fire resistant clothing, steelcapped boots, safety coloured vests or sun protection clothing. You can also claim a deduction for the cost of clothing that you use at work to protect your ordinary clothes from soiling or damage – for example, overalls.
Laundry and dry-cleaning
You can claim a deduction for the cost of laundering and dry-cleaning work clothes that are eligible according to the relevant category described on this page – compulsory uniforms, single items of compulsory clothing, non-compulsory uniforms or corporate wardrobe, and protective clothing. This includes a uniform provided by your employer that you wear at work.
You can claim laundry expenses for washing, drying and ironing such work clothes, including laundromat expenses.
If your claim for laundry expenses is $150 or less, you do not need written evidence – you may use a reasonable basis to work out your claim. If you claim a deduction for laundry expenses that is more than $150 and your total claim for work-related expenses – other than car, meal allowance, award transport allowance and travel allowance expenses – exceeds $300 – you need written evidence for the total claim. You can claim the cost of dry-cleaning work clothes if you have kept written evidence to substantiate your claim. You do not need written evidence if your total claim for work-related expenses is $300 or less.
You cannot claim a deduction for the cost of purchasing or cleaning a plain uniform or conventional clothing worn at work, even if your employer tells you to wear them, as it is a private expense. This includes expenditure for
- clothing worn for medical reasons (for example, support stockings)
- conventional clothing that is damaged at work, and
- everyday footwear (for example, dress or casual shoes)
If you received an allowance from your employer for clothing, uniforms, laundry or dry-cleaning, please note You cannot automatically claim a deduction just because you received a clothing, uniform, laundry or dry-cleaning allowance from your employer.
You cannot claim costs met by your employer or costs that are reimbursed.
About The Author
Warren Kruger is an Australian Tax Specialist and Advisor.
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Warren Kruger is an Australian Tax Specialist and Advisor. For a FREE Report “7 Essential Strategies to Reduce Your Taxation NOW!”,enter your name and email address in the Opt In Box located on the top right hand side of this article.
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