One of the biggest shocks I got working in Australia was how much I would use my own car for work reasons. And not as an Uber!

You cannot claim to and from your place of work but….behold the deductions-for-motor-vehicle-expenses.

Where, without keeping detailed records you can claim a deduction/refund for every KM you do up to 4999 for work reasons.

• Do you work at multiple sites? Only one will be your main office, so travel to the others or from one to another is claimable
• Boss keeps asking favours that involve you driving around to get stuff or people? Claim each trip

There are huge misconceptions and the ATO website wording can be confusing; it can make you think you would get 4999 x 0.88 cents or $4399 in your tax refund. You won’t, it will just reduce your overall taxable income by $4399.