Save
The professions clawing the most back at tax-time
New analysis of tax data has revealed the professions claiming the most deductions, and accountants don’t even make the top three.
The professions clawing the most back at tax-time
New analysis of tax data has revealed the professions claiming the most deductions, and accountants don’t even make the top three.
According to Etax.com.au’s analysis of Australian Taxation Office (ATO) data, surgeons are claiming the most tax deductions by far, with teachers rounding out the top 10.
“One reason for this is that surgeons generally aren’t reimbursed for any of their many, many expenses by their employer,” senior tax agent Liz Russell said.
“This means all those expenses can generally be claimed on their return instead.”
Real estate agents, the second-biggest claimers, asked for an average deduction of $8,616 – significantly less than surgeons’ $21,184.
Ms Russell said real estate agents’ reasons for claims were similar to surgeons; work-related expenses that go unpaid.
“This includes the financial demands of their work, such as car maintenance, licencing fees and incidental out of pocket costs, that are all deductible,” she said.
The tax agent added that all occupations have their own rules, with no guarantees as to a minimum refund.
As such, deductions come down to awareness of individual eligibility and good record-keeping.
“Smart workers are the ones who have a good system for recording expenses and they use a tax agent to get all that added the right way to their tax return. Any expenses that are truly work-related and necessary can be claimed as a tax deduction. It’s important to seek guidance on what is relevant to your specific industry, role and income,” Ms Russell said.
However, she added that it’s critical workers don’t try to get “creative” with claims, as an ATO examination can be painful for those who haven’t kept good records.
Who’s claiming the most?
| Occupation | Average deduction claim |
| Surgeons | $21,184 |
| Real estate agents | $8,616 |
| Lawyers |
$6,861 but heavily skewed by high income earners Up to $180k avg = $3,411 Over $180k avg = $10,901 |
| Truck drivers | $5,058 |
| Tradies | $4,998 |
| Farmers | $4,450 |
| Engineers | $4,177 |
| Vets | $3,468 |
| Accountants | $3,169 |
| Teachers | $3,172 |
RELATED ARTICLES
Tax saving
The downsizer dividend: How targeted tax levers could unlock housing supply in Australia
A call by Raine & Horne to incentivise seniors to move to smaller homes has kicked off a wider policy conversation that reaches well beyond real estate. If designed well, a targeted package could ...Read more
Tax saving
Raine & Horne's bold move could unlock housing supply but what are the hidden risks
Raine & Horne’s call for targeted tax incentives to encourage empty nesters to ‘rightsize’ isn’t just another sector wish list; it’s a potential lever to free up family homes, ease rental ...Read more
Tax saving
From annual check-ups to always‑on: how modern portfolio reviews unlock after‑tax alpha
The era of once‑a‑year portfolio check‑ins is over. Continuous, tech‑enabled reviews now drive returns through tax efficiency, risk control and behavioural discipline—especially in a high‑rate ...Read more
Tax saving
Navigating tax laws for capital gains in 2023
The landscape of Australian tax laws surrounding capital gains is ever-changing, with 2023 being no exception. Read more
Tax saving
What you need to know about the tax implications of crypto
One million Aussies are now invested in crypto, but many have not thought about how these investments will affect them at tax time. Read more
Tax saving
Welfare overhaul could give recipients a leg-up
Australia’s Centrelink recipients who’ve been doing it tough are in for a potentially easier time if the federal government pursues ambitious reforms that could provide sturdier safety nets. Read more
Tax saving
Students should think twice before tapping into their super
Former students might want to think carefully before they look to take advantage of the federal government’s biggest first home buyer incentive. Read more
Tax saving
Advocates call for an end to tax cuts
Social services sector advocates have warned that further tax cuts may make solving Australia’s biggest challenges much harder. Read more
Tax saving
The downsizer dividend: How targeted tax levers could unlock housing supply in Australia
A call by Raine & Horne to incentivise seniors to move to smaller homes has kicked off a wider policy conversation that reaches well beyond real estate. If designed well, a targeted package could ...Read more
Tax saving
Raine & Horne's bold move could unlock housing supply but what are the hidden risks
Raine & Horne’s call for targeted tax incentives to encourage empty nesters to ‘rightsize’ isn’t just another sector wish list; it’s a potential lever to free up family homes, ease rental ...Read more
Tax saving
From annual check-ups to always‑on: how modern portfolio reviews unlock after‑tax alpha
The era of once‑a‑year portfolio check‑ins is over. Continuous, tech‑enabled reviews now drive returns through tax efficiency, risk control and behavioural discipline—especially in a high‑rate ...Read more
Tax saving
Navigating tax laws for capital gains in 2023
The landscape of Australian tax laws surrounding capital gains is ever-changing, with 2023 being no exception. Read more
Tax saving
What you need to know about the tax implications of crypto
One million Aussies are now invested in crypto, but many have not thought about how these investments will affect them at tax time. Read more
Tax saving
Welfare overhaul could give recipients a leg-up
Australia’s Centrelink recipients who’ve been doing it tough are in for a potentially easier time if the federal government pursues ambitious reforms that could provide sturdier safety nets. Read more
Tax saving
Students should think twice before tapping into their super
Former students might want to think carefully before they look to take advantage of the federal government’s biggest first home buyer incentive. Read more
Tax saving
Advocates call for an end to tax cuts
Social services sector advocates have warned that further tax cuts may make solving Australia’s biggest challenges much harder. Read more
More articles
OUR PLATFORMS AND BRANDS
- Accountants Daily
- Accounting Times
- Adviser Innovation
- Australian Aviation
- Broker Daily
- Cyber Daily
- Defence Connect
- Fintech Business
- HR Leader
- Independent Financial Adviser
- Investment Centre
- Investor Daily
- Lawyers Weekly
- Money Management
- Nestegg
- Property Buzz
- Real Estate Business
- Smart Property Investment
- SMSF Adviser
- Space Connect
- Super Review
- The Adviser
- Wellness Daily
- World of Aviation
EVENTS AND SUMMITS
- ACE25 The Accounting Conference and Exhibition
- Adviser Innovation Summit
- Australian Accounting Awards
- Australian AI Awards
- Australian Aviation Awards
- Australian Aviation Summit
- Australian Broking Awards
- Australian Cyber Awards
- Australian Cyber Summit
- Australian Defence Industry Awards
- Australian Law Awards
- Australian Law Forum
- Australian Space Awards
- Australian Space Summit
- Australian Wealth Management Awards
- Australian Wealth Management Summit
- Better Business Awards
- Better Business Summit
- Broker Innovation Awards
- Broker Innovation Summit
- Budget Summit
- Commerical Finance Awards
- Corporate Counsel Summit
- Defence & National Security Workforce Awards
- Fund Manager of the Year Awards
- ifa Excellence Awards
- Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards
- New Broker Academy
- Partner of the Year Awards
- Partner Summit
- REB Awards
- Rising Star Awards
- SME Bootcamp
- SMSF Technical Strategy Day
- Super Fund of the Year Awards
- Women in Finance Awards
- Women in Finance Summit
- Women in Law Awards
- Women in Law Forum
LEARNING AND EDUCATION
MOMENTUM MARKETS NETWORK
LINKS
STAY CONNECTED
Make your nest egg grow. Register now for nestegg updates.