New Ways to Substantiate Work Expenses

Dated: July 2005

In response to technological advances which have seen an increase in the use of the internet and credit cards to make work related purchases. The Australian Taxation Office has recently relaxed it’s substantiation requirements in relation to work related expenses.

This means that you may be able to claim a deduction for a work related expense even if you don’t have a full hard copy receipt so long as you can substantiate the claim by means of bank or credit card statements or electronic evidence.

For example, if you ordered a book or publication related to your income over the internet by providing credit card details to the supplier, the supplier may provide you with an email quoting a reference number for the transaction. In this case you could substantiate the claim by using the email in conjunction with your credit card statement.

If you have any queries regarding the substantiation requirements for work related expenses please ask your usual contact person at Patison Partners or check with the Australian Taxation Office.