Quick reference guide
Software developer tax deductions in Australia
WFH, subscriptions, hardware, courses, and professional costs for developers.
Quick checklist
- Software, cloud, domain, and productivity subscriptions used for work.
- Hardware, peripherals, desk equipment, and WFH utilities.
- Courses, books, conferences, and professional memberships.
- Work-use percentages for mixed personal/work tools.
The easy misses
Developers often miss annual software subscriptions, courses, books, hardware accessories, desk equipment, internet, mobile, and professional memberships.
Annual renewals are especially sneaky because they happen once, often outside EOFY season. Search your inbox for receipts from the tools you use every week.
Mixed-use tools need a reasonable percentage
A keyboard used only at your work desk is different from a streaming subscription you also use personally. Mixed-use purchases need a sensible work-use note.
TaxBoy can hold the receipt and note; your accountant can decide what percentage is appropriate.
Forward the receipt
Most of those receipts arrive by email. That makes a deductions inbox a better workflow than a spreadsheet you update once a year.
Forwarding takes seconds, which is the point. The system has to be easier than forgetting.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Claiming a 100% work-use percentage on a personal device or subscription that has obvious private use too. Be honest about apportionment.
- Bundling everything under 'computer equipment' instead of separating items over $300 (which usually depreciate) from items at or under $300 (which can typically be claimed in the year of purchase).
- Mixing personal Adobe/Figma/Notion plans with the company-paid one. Only the portion you actually paid out-of-pocket can be considered.
- Treating a side-project SaaS subscription as a work deduction. If it doesn't connect to your current PAYG income, it likely isn't deductible.
Receipts to search for
Frequently asked questions
Can developers claim a personal laptop or monitor?
If you use it for work, the work-use percentage may be deductible. Items costing $300 or less and used solely for work are typically claimable in the year of purchase. Items above $300 are usually claimed via decline in value over their effective life. Keep the receipt and a note explaining the work-use share.
What about software subscriptions like JetBrains, GitHub Copilot, or 1Password?
Subscriptions used to do your job are generally deductible to the extent of work use. If you also use the tool personally, apply a reasonable work-use percentage. Annual renewals are easy to forget — search your inbox and forward the receipts.
Can I claim conference tickets and travel?
Self-education and professional development directly connected to your current role can be deductible, including registration, course fees, and travel that meets the ATO's tests. Keep tickets, the agenda, and a short note linking the content to your current work.
What about my home internet and electricity if I work from home?
Yes — under the fixed-rate (70c/hour) method these are bundled into the rate. Under the actual cost method you can claim the work-use percentage, supported by bills and a contemporaneous hours log. Pick one method per year.
Are my GitHub, AWS, or domain costs deductible if they're for personal projects?
Generally no, if those projects aren't generating assessable income or directly tied to your current employment. Personal hobby infrastructure usually falls outside work-related deductions. A registered tax agent can advise if your situation is mixed.
Sources
Last reviewed 29 Apr 2026 by Kalana Vithana. TaxBoy is not a registered tax agent and this article is general information, not tax advice.