+61 (3) 5911 7000 +61 (3) 5911 7000

The deal with working from home

Home • Insights

The deal with working from home.


The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has updated its approach to how you claim expenses for working from home.


The ATO has ‘refreshed’ the way you can claim deductions for the costs you incur when you work from home. From 1 July 2022 onwards, you can choose either to use a new ‘fixed rate’ method (67 cents per hour), or the ‘actual cost’ method depending on what works out best for your scenario. Either way, you will need to gather and retain certain records to make a claim.


The first issue for claiming any deduction is that there must be a link between the costs you incurred and the way you earn your income. If you incur an expense but it doesn’t relate to your work, or only partially relates to your work, you cannot claim the full cost as a deduction.


The second key issue is that you need to incur costs associated with working from home. For example, if you are living with your parents and not picking up any of the expenses for running the home then you can’t claim deductions for working from home as you have not incurred the expenses, even if you are paying board (the ATO treats this as a private arrangement).

Let’s take a look at the detail:



Get in touch to start a conversation.

We provide strategic business and tax advisory, underpinned by our expertise in financial planning to ensure we develop financial structures that are smart and well considered.


LET'S TALK LET'S TALK


1 Sep '20

Insuring inside or outside super

When it comes to choosing whether to hold personal insurance inside or outside superannuation, both options have pros and cons. Which one is right for you?


READ MORE READ MORE
27 Aug '20

Learning from experience

Some people enjoy retirement more than for others – and one of the secrets to success is to start planning well in advance. We spoke with a 67-year-old who has begun his (semi) retirement with style, for his real-life tips on how to make your retirement dreams happen.


READ MORE READ MORE
27 Aug '20

What is the difference between Managed Accounts, Direct Equities & Managed Funds?


READ MORE READ MORE
17 Aug '20

Market Wrap - August 2020

Covid-19 developments continued to dominate attention. There were spikes in the number of new infections in both Australia and overseas, suggesting an economic recovery may be delayed.


READ MORE READ MORE
14 Aug '20

WEBINAR: Helping Landlords & Tenants Manage Tax Obligations

This webinar looks at the common issues that arise in connection with lease arrangements and the special rules that are aimed directly at tenants and landlords. We also look at specific issues that arise when lease arrangements are adjusted in response to the impact of COVID-19.


READ MORE READ MORE
11 Aug '20

COVID-19 and your SMSF

COVID-19 has had an impact on many SMSFs. We look at the key issues.


READ MORE READ MORE
10 Aug '20

Retired: Do I still need a SMSF?


READ MORE READ MORE
7 Aug '20

JobKeeper 2.0 - The New Requirements


READ MORE READ MORE
6 Aug '20

Making Debt Structuring Work For Your Medical Practice


READ MORE READ MORE
6 Aug '20

Tech First Aid for Medical Practioners


READ MORE READ MORE
5 Aug '20

HOW TO Look Up Your Accounting Info For The $10K State Grant Applications


READ MORE READ MORE
4 Aug '20

Why prepare a business plan for your medical practice


READ MORE READ MORE
4 Aug '20

Slash your tax


READ MORE READ MORE
4 Aug '20

Setting up your medical practice for success


READ MORE READ MORE
4 Aug '20

Business Risk Insurance Explained


READ MORE READ MORE
3 Aug '20

Risk and Return

When deciding which investments are right for you, it is important to understand the trade-off between risk and return and how to manage investment risk.


READ MORE READ MORE
2 Aug '20

Insurance for every life stage

It’s a good idea to regularly revisit your personal insurance to make sure it’s giving you the level and type of cover you need at your specific stage of life. 


READ MORE READ MORE
29 Jul '20

Savings and Budgeting

By setting goals, planning ahead and being smart with your savings and debt strategies – you can actively grow your wealth even from a modest start.


READ MORE READ MORE
29 Jul '20

Market Volatility

Many investors become concerned when volatility occurs in global financial markets – particularly about the impact on their superannuation and other investments.


READ MORE READ MORE
29 Jul '20

Investment Fundamentals

If you’re just starting out as an investor, there’s a lot of information to absorb. This fact file defines and explores the pros and cons of each asset class.


READ MORE READ MORE
29 Jul '20

Interest Rates

Interest rates are the cost of money when borrowed or loaned, and are used to control inflation and economic growth. But why do interest rates rise and fall, and how can they affect you?


READ MORE READ MORE
29 Jul '20

Home and Residential Aged Care

Some retirees who need aged care may prefer to stay at home. Whilst others may need or prefer the assistance that a residential aged care facility can provide. . 


READ MORE READ MORE
29 Jul '20

Gearing

Gearing can be an effective and tax-efficient way of building your investments over the long-term. While it can increase your investment returns, you need to be aware of the risks involved.


READ MORE READ MORE
29 Jul '20

Retirement Income

One of the most effective ways to provide some or all of your required level of income in retirement may be via a regular retirement income stream such as an account-based pension or an annuity.


READ MORE READ MORE
29 Jul '20

Redundancy

If you have been made redundant, it is important to understand the financial issues involved, your entitlements, and how to make the most of your redundancy payment with the help of your adviser.


READ MORE READ MORE
28 Jul '20

Smart Super Strategies

Superannuation can be one of the most tax effective ways to build your retirement nest egg. There are a range of strategies you can consider to boost your super savings.


READ MORE READ MORE
28 Jul '20

The Future of JobKeeper & JobSeeker 2.0


READ MORE READ MORE
28 Jul '20

Transition to Retirement

A transition to retirement strategy may give you more flexibility and allow you to take advantage of tax concessions to help you achieve the lifestyle and super balance you want.


READ MORE READ MORE
22 Jul '20

Investing in property


READ MORE READ MORE
22 Jul '20

JobKeeper 2.0 - What you need to know

If your business currently receives JobKeeper, your arrangements will generally remain unchanged until 27 September 2020. From 28 September 2020, employers seeking to claim JobKeeper payments will need to reassess their eligibility and prove an actual decline in turnover.


READ MORE READ MORE
21 Jul '20

Market Wrap - July 2020

Earlier optimism on the virus front started to fade, as a gradual easing of restrictions saw a spike in the number of new cases. This saw new constraints imposed in some areas and prompted the World Health Organisation to suggest the worst of the pandemic may be ahead.


READ MORE READ MORE
21 Jul '20

The Future of JobKeeper and JobSeeker


READ MORE READ MORE
21 Jul '20

Seven ways to get more out of retirement

Retirement is a period of life that most of us look forward to. But it can also be a challenging lifestyle adjustment, particularly if you’re someone who’s used to keeping busy. 


READ MORE READ MORE
16 Jul '20

$2.5bn Job Trainer package: What you need to know

The Government has announced the $2.5bn JobTrainer package to retrain, upskill and open new job opportunities.


READ MORE READ MORE
9 Jul '20

Why the Mornington Peninsula should never have been included in the latest lockdown

The Mornington Peninsula has no active coronavirus cases and some residents live more than 100km from Melbourne. So why is the region going back into lockdown?


READ MORE READ MORE
9 Jul '20

COVID-19 and Small Business

As a business owner, there’s one key thing you need to totally focus on now – keeping your business alive during these difficult times.  It’s vital that you build a cash 'war chest' which will allow you keep trading through the coming difficult months. Also, we want to help you to protect the health of your employees and customers / clients.


READ MORE READ MORE
8 Jul '20

Protection for your financial plan

A financial plan is a powerful thing, but it’s most effective when it’s supported by a solid insurance strategy.


READ MORE READ MORE
6 Jul '20

Using your commercial property for your business


READ MORE READ MORE
2 Jul '20

Parental Leave and Minimum Wage Changes

Minimum wage increases by 1.75% plus changes to Paid Parental Leave for the self employed.


READ MORE READ MORE
1 Jul '20

Funding For The Arts: What's Available and How Can You Get It?

Will the Prime Minister’s targeted $250 million package of funding to support cultural and creative projects and initiatives save the industry?


READ MORE READ MORE
1 Jul '20

ATO on COVID-19 Fraud Warpath

Two major Australian Taxation Office (ATO) initiatives are searching out fraud and schemes designed to take advantage of the Government’s Coronavirus Economic Response Package.


READ MORE READ MORE
25 Jun '20

HR and The Return To The Workplace


READ MORE READ MORE
24 Jun '20

Brandon Wins Rising Star of The Year award

Up against over 580 nominations and 275 certified finalists, Brandon Tilley, accountant at Mornington accounting and business advisory firm, SMART Business Solutions, won the coveted Rising Star Of The Year Award as one of only 35 award winners.


READ MORE READ MORE
24 Jun '20

12 months and counting

So, you’re one year out from retirement - congratulations! Here are five steps you can take now to ensure you’re ready.


READ MORE READ MORE
22 Jun '20

Business Recovery Plan Workshop


READ MORE READ MORE
19 Jun '20

HR & The Return to The Workplace


READ MORE READ MORE
17 Jun '20

SMART Life - Issue 1 - Winter 2020


READ MORE READ MORE
16 Jun '20

See The Possibilities.

As goals-based advisers, we start off with helping you articulate what’s important to you to develop smart financial strategies to make it all possible.


READ MORE READ MORE
15 Jun '20

HOW TO Record Deferred Rent for LANDLORDS with COVID-19 Rental Code requirements


READ MORE READ MORE
12 Jun '20

WEBINAR: Business Recovery Plan

A Business Recovery Planning session requires you to reconsider all aspects of your business to ensure its best chance of recovery. We'll work with you to develop a concise Business Recovery Plan and clarify the future direction of your business.


READ MORE READ MORE
12 Jun '20

Have casual workers been granted annual leave?

News headlines recently stated that casual workers have won the right to paid leave following a decision in the Federal Court. As usual, the devil is in the detail.


READ MORE READ MORE


Related News

8 Oct

ATO to Stop Accepting Credit Card Payments: What Businesses Need to Know Before 1 December 2026

The ATO will stop accepting direct credit card payments from 1 December 2026, requiring businesses and individuals to switch to alternative payment methods such as debit card, BPAY, EFT or bank account direct debit. While the change affects only a small percentage of taxpayers, businesses that rely on credit cards to manage cash flow or fund ATO payment plans should act now to update arrangements, avoid missed payments and prepare for the cash flow impact of having tax obligations funded from available business funds.


READ MORE READ MORE
8 Sep

Booking the Band? You May Have Just Hired an Employee

Hiring entertainers, promotional staff or event contractors for your Christmas function could create superannuation obligations you didn't expect.


READ MORE READ MORE
8 Sep

Whose House Is It Anyway?

Helping a family member buy a property may seem straightforward, but the way ownership is structured today could have significant tax consequences years down the track.


READ MORE READ MORE