Do you work from home? Are you classified as a freelance worker in Australia? If so, your skills shake the world! But as your business grows, it’s probably the time to look into your Freelance tax obligations. Here are some practical Freelance tax tips for Australians:
Key Takeaways
- Get an ABN if needed and register for GST if earnings exceed $75,000.
- Deduct home office, vehicle, equipment, and training costs.
- Keep detailed digital records for easy filing.
- Understand Personal Services come (PSI) rules.
- Maintain separate work and personal accounts.
- Meet tax deadlines.
Get Your ABN ASAP
Your ABN is like your freelancer ID. It not only makes you look more professional to clients but also ensures they won’t withhold 46.5% from your payments. For instance, if you invoice a client for $1,000, they might keep $465 if you lack an ABN. That’s money you can easily keep in your pocket.
Claim Home Office Deductions
When it comes to home office expenses, you have two types to consider:
Occupancy Expenses:
If you work exclusively from home, you can claim a portion of your rent or mortgage interest, utilities, and even property insurance. Let’s say your home office takes up 20% of your living space; you can deduct 20% of these costs as business expenses.
Running Expenses:
If you occasionally work from home, you can still claim running expenses. These include things like heating, lighting, and the internet. Keep records of your expenses to calculate your deductions accurately.
Suggested Read: 10 Self-Employment Tax Deductions and Benefits for Australians
Claim Equipment Expenses
Freelancers often invest in tools of the trade. For example, if you’re a freelance photographer, your camera and lenses are essential equipment. Here’s how it works:
Up to $1,000 Deduction:
If an item costs less than $1,000, you can write off the entire cost in the year you bought it. This includes laptops, power tools, or software.
Depreciation for Costly Gear:
For more expensive equipment, like a high-end camera, you can claim depreciation over several years. This spreads the deduction over the item’s useful life.
Temporary Full Expensing (TSE) for Freelancers
This is a game-changer for freelancers. It allows you to deduct the entire cost of business assets immediately.
For example, if you purchase a new laptop for your freelance graphic design work, you can write off the entire cost in the same year. It’s a substantial tax advantage.
Protective Gear Deductions
Freelancers working in physically demanding or hazardous environments should consider protective gear deductions.
For instance, if you’re a freelance carpenter, expenses like steel-capped boots, hard hats, and safety goggles are essential. Keep records of these purchases for tax time.
Travel Expense Deductions for Freelancers
If your freelance work involves travel, keeping thorough records is key. For instance, if you’re a freelance consultant who travels to meet clients.
You can claim expenses such as airfare, accommodation, meals, parking, and tolls. Just remember, that post-meeting celebratory beer isn’t deductible!
Suggested Read: Your Complete Guide to Work Related Business Trip Tax Deduction
Claim Deductions on Work-Related Mobile Bills
Calculate the percentage of your phone usage dedicated to work. If it’s, say, 30%, then you can deduct 30% of your monthly phone plan cost. This can add up over the years.
Plan Your Superannuation Contributions
Superannuation (or “super”) is your retirement savings fund. Contributing to it not only secures your financial future but also comes with tax advantages. As a freelancer, you’re
responsible for your super contributions, as there’s no employer to do it for you.
Let’s say you earned $80,000 in freelance income this year. By contributing $5,000 to your superannuation fund, your taxable income reduces to $75,000. This can lead to lower taxes and a more secure retirement.
Claim Vehicle Expense Deductions
Vehicle Deductible expenses include fuel, tolls, and parking fees for trips to client meetings or work-related destinations.
Use a logbook method to record business-related travel details, such as the purpose, distance, and date.
Claim depreciation using either the cents per kilometer method (for fewer than 5,000 kilometers annually) or the logbook method (for greater distances with detailed records).
You Can Claim:
- Leasing or renting work vehicle expenses
- Interest on Work related Vehicle Loan
- Claim insurance premiums portion related to business use.
- A portion of vehicle registration and CTP insurance costs
- Maintenance and Repairs expenses related to work travel
- Depreciation on Tools or Equipment which you transport to work
Suggested Read: How to Lodge Tax Return in Australia?
Personal Services Income (PSI)
PSI rules are designed to prevent freelancers from unfairly reducing their tax liability. If over 50% of your income comes from your personal skills or labor, you might fall under PSI rules. This means you need to be aware of certain deductions and rules that apply specifically to PSI.
Suppose you are a freelance graphic designer, and 80% of your income comes from design work. Under PSI rules, you may be eligible to claim deductions related to your design business, such as advertising expenses or professional association fees. This can help reduce your taxable income.
Receipts Are Your Lifeline
Keeping detailed records is essential for claiming deductions. Receipts are your proof that you’ve incurred legitimate business expenses. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requires these records to substantiate your claims.
Let’s say you’re a freelance writer, and you purchased a new computer for your work. To claim this expense, you need to keep the receipt as evidence of the purchase. Without it, you might miss out on a valuable deduction.
Suggested Read: Can You Claim Deductions Without Receipts?
Separate Your Work Finances from Personal Finances
Mixing personal and business finances can lead to confusion and complicate your tax reporting. Opening a separate bank account for your freelance income and expenses is a smart move. It simplifies your financial management and ensures you’re ready for tax time.
Suppose you’re a freelance web developer, and you receive client payments into your personal account. When tax season arrives, you’ll need to sift through personal expenses to calculate your business income accurately. However, if you have a dedicated business account, your income and expenses are neatly separated, making tax calculations much smoother.
Automate Tax Deductions with AI Powered Tax App
AI Powered Tax Assistant App simplifies your tax deductions. You can use it to automate your expense tracking, fetch invoices and get real-time deductions. You can maintain financial clarity and reduce errors during tax filing.
As a freelancer graphic designer, you juggle multiple expenses and clients. With an AI tax deductions app, you can scan your transactions and get deductions in just a few clicks. Moreover, you can also request expert CPA help whenever you need.
Freelance Tax Deductions Checklist
What You Can Not Claim?
- Personal expenses
- Commuting costs
- Non-work travel
- Non-business meals
- Capital costs (initial)
- Home costs (entire)
- Fines/penalties
- Non-business insurance
- Private travel expenses
- Non-work subscriptions
- Personal gifts
- Home improvements
Know Your Tax Brackets
Familiarize yourself with the Australian tax brackets and rates. As your income increases, you may move into a higher tax bracket, which affects the amount of tax you owe. Plan your income and deductions accordingly.
If you earn $85,000 as a freelancer in Australia, you fall into the 32.5% tax bracket. This means that the income over the $45,000 threshold is taxed at this rate. [source] Be mindful of these thresholds when planning your freelance income to optimize your tax position.
Consider income splitting with a spouse or making additional deductible contributions to superannuation to stay in a lower tax bracket.
PAYG Instalments
If you earn more than a certain threshold, you might be required to pay Pay As You Go (PAYG) installments throughout the year. Calculate these installments based on your expected income to avoid penalties.
If your estimated freelance income for the year is over $4,000 and you expect to owe more than $1,000 in tax, you’ll likely need to make PAYG installments. Calculate these regularly to avoid underpayment penalties.
Practical Tip: Use the ATO’s PAYG installment calculator or consult with a tax professional to determine your installment amounts accurately.
Business Structure
Carefully consider your business structure. Many freelancers operate as sole traders, but depending on your business growth, setting up a company or trust could provide tax advantages. Seek advice from a tax professional to make an informed choice.
Claiming GST Credits
If you registered for the Goods and Services Tax (GST), claim GST credits on business expenses. Keep thorough records of your GST transactions and lodge your Business Activity Statement (BAS) on time.
If you’re registered for GST and you purchase a new computer for your freelance work, you can claim the GST included in the purchase price as a credit on your BAS.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
Be aware of CGT implications when selling assets, such as shares or property, related to your freelance work. CGT rules can be complex, so seek advice if needed.
Suppose you invest in shares related to your freelance industry, and you sell them for a profit. You may incur CGT on the capital gain. Consider holding investments for over 12 months to access the 50% CGT discount.
The Bottomline
Freelance tax in Australia becomes complicated unless you keep clean expense records and clearly draw the line between personal vs professional expenses. The above Freelance tax tips for Australia empower you to continue shaking the world with your expert skills without worrying too much about your tax situation. Happy freelancing!
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