Taxpayer denied deduction for work expenses of $60,000
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has confirmed that a mechanical engineer with a PhD qualification was not entitled to deductions for various work-related expenses totally approximately $60,000.
The expense claims in question (for vehicle, self-education and other work expenses), were denied because the taxpayer was unable to establish the required connection between the amounts and the derivation of his assessable income as a mechanical engineer. Furthermore, in relation to a range of miscellaneous expenses (such as mobile phone and internet charges, professional membership fees, conference fees and depreciation), the AAT found that most of the deductions were not substantiated with sufficient (or any) evidence. The AAT did not exercise its discretion to allow these deductions on the basis of the “nature and quality” of any other evidence regarding the taxpayer’s incurring the expenses.
This case clearly shows the importance of properly substantiating any claims you make for work-related expense deductions. Contact us to discuss what documentation you should keep to make tax time easier, and refer to our annual checklist. None of this is new!
We help to justify the connection with your income, but you need to establish that the expense was paid.
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