Record keeping

You need to get and keep records of your expenses for which you want to claim deductions. This is usually a receipt but can be another form of written evidence (such as an invoice).

Records can be electronic (for example, you can take a photo of your receipt, or use an app). Using the myDeductions tool in the ATO app, can help you to keep track of your work-related expenses. It’s an easy way to capture information on the go, making tax time quicker by uploading your deductions to your tax return.

Records must show what you purchased, when, where, and how much you spent. They must be in English where you incur the expense in Australia. However, if you incur the expense in another country, the document can be in the language of that country.

There are a few exceptions to this rule:

• Small expense receipts
• Hard to get receipts
• Overtime meal expense receipts
• Travel and meal expense receipts

Small expense receipts

You don’t have to get and keep a receipt for work-related expenses that are $10 or less, as long as your total claim for small expenses is $200 or less.

If you don’t get a receipt for small expenses you can still claim a deduction as long as you make a record of the small expenses. For example, you can make a record by writing in your work diary.

Your record should show what you purchased, when, where, and how much you spent. It must be in English. You can use this to show how you calculated your deduction if we ask for this information from you.

Hard to get receipts

If you can’t get a receipt for a work-related expense, you can still claim a deduction as long as you make a record. For example, you can make a record by writing in your work diary.

Your record should show what you purchased, when, where, and how much you spent. It must be in English. You can use this to show how you calculated your deduction if we ask for this information from you.

Overtime meal expense receipts

You can claim a deduction for your overtime meal expenses (food and drink) without keeping all your receipts if you:

• undertake overtime
• receive an overtime meal allowance paid under an industrial law or an award
• spent money on meals (food and drink) you consumed during your overtime meal break
• are not claiming more than the reasonable amount we set.

Even if you aren't required to get and keep receipts for your overtime meal expenses, we may check your tax return and ask you to show how you calculated your claim. If we ask, you'll need to provide documents that show:

• when you did overtime
• you purchased a meal
• you correctly declared the overtime meal allowance as income in your tax return.

If you don’t receive an overtime meal allowance paid under an industrial law or an award or are claiming a deduction for more than the reasonable amount, you need to get and keep your receipts for your overtime meal expenses.

You claim what you actually spent, not the reasonable amount.

For more information, see TD 2021/6 Income tax: what are the reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance expense amounts for the 2021-22 income year?

Travel and meal expense receipts

You can claim a deduction for your accommodation, meal (food and drink) and incidental expenses without keeping all your receipts if your travel is for less than 6 nights and you:

• receive a travel allowance that's expected to cover your accommodation, meals and incidental expenses when travelling (a token amount you receive as a travel allowance isn't accepted as covering such costs)
• are required to travel for work and sleep away from home overnight
• spent money on accommodation, meals (food and drink) and incidental expenses while travelling away from home overnight for work
• are not claiming more than the reasonable amount set.

If you travel overseas, you must keep receipts for your accommodation expenses regardless of whether you meet all of the above points.

Even if you aren't required to get and keep receipts for your accommodation, meals and incidental expenses when travelling for work, we may check your tax return and ask you to show how you calculated your claim. If we ask, you'll need to provide documents that show:

• when you were travelling for work (including start and finish times)
• you paid for accommodation and purchased meals and incidentals and the amount you spent
• you correctly declared the travel allowance as income in your tax return.

The records you need to keep for accommodation, food, drink and incidentals depend on the length of your trip and if it is domestic or international and whether your travel is wholly for work purposes.

If you travel for 6 or more nights in a row, you may need to keep a travel diary in which you record the dates, places, times and duration of your activities and travel.

You don’t need to keep a travel diary if your travel away from home is less than 6 nights in a row.

If you are required to maintain and keep records, the records you keep may include:

• income statement, payment summary or payslips to show the travel allowances you received
• a travel diary, or documents that show the days you travelled for work, including    
  • start and finish times
  • where you travelled
  • when you stopped for meals
   
• all receipts, invoices or documents for accommodation, meals and incidentals showing the      
  • name of the supplier
  • amount you spent
  • nature of the good or service
  • date you spent the money
  • creation date of the receipt or other written evidence
   
• written evidence, such as a bank statement, to show that you were the one who spent the money.

You claim what you actually spent, not the reasonable amount.

For more information, see TD 2021/6 Income tax: what are the reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance expense amounts for the 2021-22 income year?

Find out about recruitment consultants:

• Income – salary and allowances
• Deductions