Substantiate Your Claims!

Dan's back from his honeymoon, and Tim's straight into one of the biggest things that catches people out at tax time – proving your deductions. This episode is all about substantiation. It might not be the sexiest topic, but it's the difference between keeping your tax deduction and having the ATO knock it back. The boys cover everything from working from home, motor vehicle claims, and phone and internet expenses, through to laptops, office furniture, donations, super contributions, and the little traps that can wipe out a perfectly good deduction. They also chat about the latest ATO expectations around working-from-home claims, what records you actually need to keep, and why "I reckon I used it about half the time for work" just doesn't cut it anymore. You'll learn: Why a simple four-week phone and internet usage diary can save you a headache. When it's worth keeping a motor vehicle logbook (and when it isn't). Why your drive to and from work usually isn't deductible. What evidence you need for work-related purchases like laptops, desks, chairs and stationery. The allowance trap that catches people claiming travel and vehicle expenses. The super contribution form you must lodge before claiming a deduction. Whether you're doing your own tax return, looking after clients, or just want to make sure your deductions stack up if the ATO comes knocking, this episode is packed with practical advice you can actually use. The takeaway? The ATO expects proper records, not rough guesses. A little bit of record keeping now can save you a lot of pain later. If you're an accountant, it's also a great refresher before busy season kicks into full swing.