Powered by MOMENTUM MEDIA
Powered by momentummedia
nestegg logo

Earn

How to maximise your tax refund

  • November 19 2019
  • Share

Earn

How to maximise your tax refund

By Louise Chan
November 19 2019

You’re required to pay taxes annually if you’re an Australian resident for tax purposes, and the only way to avoid this is if your income is below the tax-free threshold.

How to maximise your tax refund

author image
  • November 19 2019
  • Share

You’re required to pay taxes annually if you’re an Australian resident for tax purposes, and the only way to avoid this is if your income is below the tax-free threshold.

How to maximise your tax refund

Tax bills can run high, but careful tax planning helps you minimise your tax payable and may entitle you to a tax refund.

Here are some ways to increase your tax refund:

Maximise super contributions 

Concessional and non-concessional superannuation contributions and spouse contributions are deductible as long as they fall within the contributions cap. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

Placing your extra income in super will allow you to remove the contributed amount from your assessable income while also growing your retirement nest egg.

How to maximise your tax refund

Incorporate investment strategies

All income from investments form part of your assessable income, so it is advisable to select tax-effective asset for your portfolio.

Likewise, you may opt to execute investment strategies that aim to lower your taxes legally, such as negative gearing for investment properties.

Claim usually forgotten deductions

There are many ATO-allowed tax deductions that may be claimed. You simply have to check if you are eligible to claim them to increase your refund. Take note of the following deductions:

  • Work-related expenses
    You may claim a deduction on vehicle and travel expenses for work-related duties, laundry and dry cleaning expenses for specialised work-related clothing, overtime meals, tools and equipment for work use.

    You may also claim deductions for work-related self-education expenses (i.e. seminar fees) that were not reimbursed by your employer.

  • Tax agent expenses
    If you paid a tax agent to prepare and lodge your tax return for the previous tax year, you’re allowed to claim a deduction on the amount you paid in the current year’s tax return.

    This deduction falls under the “Cost of Managing Tax Affairs” section of your tax return.

  • Donations
    Any monetary or property contributions or donations may be deducted as long as it was given to accredited deductible gift recipients and was given completely voluntarily.

    ATO prohibits claiming deductions if the donation provides a personal benefit to the donor in exchange for their “gift”.


Explore nestegg for more ways to be smart with your taxes.

Forward this article to a friend. Follow us on Linkedin. Join us on Facebook. Find us on X for the latest updates
Rate the article

About the author

author image

Louise is a content producer for Momentum Media’s nestegg who likes keeping up-to-date with all the ways people can work towards financial stability in 2019. She also enjoys turning complex information into easy-to-digest, practical tips to help those who want to achieve financial independence.

About the author

author image
Louise Chan

Louise is a content producer for Momentum Media’s nestegg who likes keeping up-to-date with all the ways people can work towards financial stability in 2019. She also enjoys turning complex information into easy-to-digest, practical tips to help those who want to achieve financial independence.

More articles