Tax deductions guide
Painter Tax Deductions Australia 2025-26
Painters commonly claim PPE, ladders, spray equipment, tools, vehicle costs, and ABN materials. This page gives a practical checklist. It is written for painters, decorators, and painting apprentices and is designed to work with the free TradieCalc.au tax calculator.
Open the free tradie tax calculatorCommon deductions to check
- Brushes, rollers, trays, ladders, spray guns, sanders, masks, drop sheets, and tool repairs.
- Respirators, gloves, protective eyewear, boots, hi-vis, overalls, and sunscreen.
- Materials, paint, subcontractors, equipment hire, insurance, and accounting costs for ABN work.
- Travel between jobs, parking, tolls, and vehicle expenses supported by a diary or logbook.
What to enter in the calculator
| Calculator section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Tools and PPE | Work tools, protective equipment, replacement parts, and eligible clothing used to earn income. |
| Licences and tickets | Renewals, industry tickets, union fees, and work-related training connected to your current role. |
| Travel and vehicle | Site-to-site kilometres, parking, tolls, overnight travel, or logbook-based work vehicle expenses. |
| ABN contractor mode | Business income, materials, subcontractors, equipment hire, insurance, accounting, super, and PAYG instalments. |
Records to keep
- Receipts for tools and safety equipment.
- Invoices for materials and client jobs.
- Vehicle diary with job addresses.
Keep records for long enough to support the claim if the ATO asks. Photos of receipts, bank records, supplier statements, and job diaries can all help explain the work connection.
Common mistakes
- Claiming all clothing without proving it is protective or compulsory.
- Mixing private renovation supplies with business materials.
- Ignoring depreciation for expensive spray equipment.
This guide is general information only. Deductions depend on your circumstances, employment type, and records. Speak with a registered tax agent for personal advice.
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TradieCalc.au is not affiliated with the ATO. Estimates only.
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