So, you are a travel agent, helping your clients plan their trips, adventures, and create unforgettable memories. You are doing a great job which is exciting too, but in these thrilling chores, travel agents often forget to claim their deductions and regret it later.

Indeed, preparing and filing income tax returns is a mundane task, but if done right, it can bring hundreds of dollars back into your pockets. You’re gaining interest, hmm?

As a travel agent, you can claim a wide range of deductions, and it seems you’re unaware of them. So, let’s dive into this blog to determine the deductions you can claim and save a few dollars on taxes!

Deductions You Can Claim as a Travel Agent

As mentioned above, there are many deductions that one can claim as a travel agent in Australia; let’s learn about them without any further delay.

Trips for Educational Work Purpose

As a travel agent in Australia, you can claim deductions for expenses incurred for going on trips and discounted holiday packages (aka ‘educationals or famils’). However, the costs you claim deductions for must be related to your work or educational purpose only, not just a holiday.

Clothing Expenses

If you are required to purchase clothing featuring a specific design or organisation’s logo you work for, you are allowed to claim deductions for those expenses. In addition, you can also claim deductions as a travel agent for the expenses incurred for cleaning your compulsory uniform.

Phone & Internet Expenses

You might need to use your phone and internet while at home or work to communicate with your clients. If you use your personal phone and internet to connect with your clients, you can claim deductions for phone & internet expenses. However, these expenses must not be reimbursed or covered by your employer.

Travel Expenses

Some travel agents are required to travel to different cities for market research, and if you also travel across cities, you are entitled to claim a deduction for the expenses incurred while travelling. You can claim expenses under travel expenses may include accommodation and meal expenses.

WFH Expenses

While working from home, you may use various equipment for cooling or heating and need to repair that equipment. Don’t forget to claim deductions for work-related expenses incurred if you work from home. You can also claim deductions for professional publications related to the travel industry you have subscribed to as a travel agent in Australia.

What You Can’t Claim as a Travel Agent in Australia?

You might get familiar with the deductions you can claim as a travel agent in Australia from the above information. Here’s what you can’t claim: –

• Passport renewal fees
• Entertainment expenses
• Grooming costs (haircut or cosmetics)
• Equipment provided by travel agency

Records Travel Agent Should Keep to Claim Deductions

After knowing the expenses you can claim as a travel agent and getting some of your money back, you might be excited to claim deductions. However, first, you should read the below points to determine the documents you need to claim tax deductions.

You are good to go if you have a physical receipt of the expenses and are willing to claim deductions. However, you can also claim deductions if you have digital proofs of expenses in which the below details are clearly visible: –

• Supplier Name
• Document Date
• Expense Amount
• Goods and Services
• Date of Expenses Paid

Note: As a tax agent in Australia, you are not required to receipts of expenses under $10 unless the expense cumulatively exceeds the $200 limit.

On the Final Note

While doing your exciting job as a tax agent in Australia, individuals often forget to claim deductions for the expenses they are entitled to, and others are unaware of the claimable tax deductions. You can claim deductions for expenses like travel, work-from-home, phone and internet, clothing, etc.

However, suppose you struggle to file income tax returns as an individual or business and are willing to maximise your returns in Australia. In that case, you must connect with professionals like the tax return specialists of KPG Taxation. We are ready to assist our clients 24/7 and dedicated to providing them with excellent solutions!