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WFH guide

21 work-from-home tax deductions Aussies miss in 2026

A practical EOFY checklist for salaried Australians working from home.

8 min readRemote and hybrid employeesReviewed 28 Apr 2026
Home office desk flat lay with laptop, receipts, EOFY calendar, calculator, and a small native plant

Quick checklist

  • Record WFH hours by week or pay cycle.
  • Keep internet, mobile, electricity, stationery, software, and equipment receipts.
  • Note work-use percentages while the purchase is still fresh.
  • Separate items your employer reimbursed from items you paid for yourself.

Start with the receipts you already get by email

The easiest WFH deductions to miss are the small recurring ones. ATO guidance is clear that records matter: the useful number is the one you can support, not the biggest estimate you can invent in June.

The useful habit is simple: forward the receipt when it arrives, add a short note if work-use is not obvious, and let EOFY become an export task instead of a memory test.

Separate fixed-rate from actual-cost claims

The ATO fixed-rate method is simple because it uses your recorded WFH hours. Actual cost can be stronger for some people, but it needs stronger records and reasonable apportionment.

Use the WFH calculator first, then keep evidence for whichever method you discuss with your accountant.

The 21 WFH receipts worth checking

Use this as a search checklist, not a promise that every item is deductible. If an item was reimbursed, private, or weakly connected to your current work, keep it out or ask your accountant.

  1. 1Internet bills, with a work-use percentage note.
  2. 2Mobile phone bills, where work calls or data are part of the cost.
  3. 3Electricity or gas bills used in an actual-cost calculation.
  4. 4Printer ink and paper used for work documents.
  5. 5Stationery, notebooks, folders, and filing supplies used for work.
  6. 6Monitor, keyboard, mouse, webcam, headset, or dock.
  7. 7Desk, chair, lamp, laptop stand, or other home-office equipment.
  8. 8Repairs to work equipment you paid for yourself.
  9. 9Software subscriptions used to do your job.
  10. 10Cloud storage, password managers, or security tools used for work.
  11. 11Professional memberships connected to your role.
  12. 12Union fees or registration fees where relevant.
  13. 13Courses or conferences that maintain or improve current job skills.
  14. 14Books, journals, and learning materials tied to current work.
  15. 15Coworking day passes where they are genuinely work-related.
  16. 16Work-related postage, printing, or document costs.
  17. 17Protective items needed for work at home or client sites.
  18. 18Depreciable equipment over $300, captured separately for accountant review.
  19. 19Charitable donation receipts from deductible gift recipients.
  20. 20Receipts for replacement accessories like chargers or cables used for work.
  21. 21Any mixed-use purchase with a note explaining the work portion.

Receipts to search for

Internet bill used partly for work.
Monitor, keyboard, chair, or desk used in your home office.
Zoom, storage, security, design, or productivity subscriptions used for work.
Calculate your WFH estimateCompare the 67c/hour method with a simple actual-cost estimate, then keep the receipts that support your claim.Continue

Sources

Last reviewed 28 Apr 2026 by Kalana Vithana. TaxBoy is not a registered tax agent and this article is general information, not tax advice.