Tax time is approaching, and bricklayer contractors are likely to see plenty of tax tips shared online, on social media and in work group chats. Some advice can be useful, but not every claim stacks up.
For members of Bricklayer Contractors Australia Association, the key message this year is simple: pause, check the facts and keep good records. A few minutes spent confirming the rules can help reduce mistakes, avoid overclaiming and save time if the Australian Taxation Office asks questions later.
Here are practical ways to stay on track before lodging your tax return:
- Use trusted sources such as ato.gov.au, the ATO app or a registered tax professional.
- Keep records for every claim. No records usually means no claim.
- Use ATO Community to check answers to common questions.
- Be cautious of advice promising unusually large deductions or “secret” tax tricks.
- Watch for common mistakes, including overclaiming, missing income or lodging before your pre-fill information is ready.
The ATO’s occupation guides are a useful starting point for tradies and contractors. They explain:
- What income you must declare.
- Which deductions you may be able to claim.
- What records you need to keep.
Before you lodge, check the facts using the ATO’s tax tools and occupation guidance for tradies.
After lodging, the quickest way to check the progress of your tax return is through the ATO app or ATO online services via myGov. Most tax returns lodged online take about 12 business days to be processed.
Car expenses: know what is genuinely work related
Many bricklayer contractors rely on their vehicle to get to sites, pick up materials or move between jobs. However, not every trip in a work vehicle is deductible. Most car expense errors happen when people include travel that is private rather than genuinely work-related.
In most cases, travel between home and your regular place of work is private and not deductible, even if:
- distance travelled
- work hours
- whether you work from home some of the time.
Working from home or doing paperwork from home does not automatically make your home a regular place of work for tax purposes. It also does not automatically make trips between home and a worksite claimable. Commuting costs such as fuel, tolls and parking are generally private.
You may be able to claim car expenses for genuine work-related travel, such as travelling between separate worksites during the day, visiting a supplier for job-related materials, or travelling from a workplace to meet a client, provided the trip directly relates to earning your income and you were not reimbursed.
If you claim car expenses, make sure you:
- only claim the work-related portion
- your claim should reflect your actual work-related travel, which may be less than the maximum amount allowable
- you must be able to explain how you calculated your claim.
The records you need depend on the method you use. Under the logbook method, keep a valid logbook and written evidence for your car expenses. Under the cents per kilometre method, you do not need receipts, but you must be able to show how you calculated your work-related kilometres. Diary notes, calendar entries and trips tracked using myDeductions in the ATO app can help support your claim.
Before lodging, check the ATO’s guidance on car and motor vehicle expenses so you understand what you can and cannot claim.
After lodging, use the ATO app or ATO online services through myGov to check the progress of your return.
Gifts and donations: check before you claim
Many people in the building and construction industry generously support community causes, fundraisers and charities. However, not every donation is tax deductible.
You can only claim a tax deduction for gifts or donations made to organisations that have deductible gift recipient, or DGR, status. Donations to family or friends, some religious organisations, and crowdfunding pages that are not run by a DGR generally cannot be claimed.
The simplest way to check DGR status is to search for the organisation using ABN Lookup:
- Search for the organisation.
- Select the correct organisation from the list.
- Review the deductible gift recipient status.
You should also check that the organisation had DGR status on the date you made the donation.
If the organisation shows as “not entitled”, the donation cannot be claimed. If it shows as “endorsed” or “listed”, the donation may be claimable. Keep a record to support your claim, such as a receipt showing the organisation’s name, the donation amount and the date.
Final tip: Tax rules can vary depending on your work arrangements, business structure and records. If you are unsure, speak with a registered tax professional before lodging your return.
