Tax for IT Professionals Australia
This page is for developers, analysts, engineers, administrators, support staff, and other IT employees who want a practical guide to devices, software, working from home, training, and the mixed-use traps that appear often in tech roles.
Quick answer: IT professionals can often claim work-related technology, eligible training, home office running costs, and some phone and internet expenses, but only for the work-related portion and only if the cost was not reimbursed. The main risk areas are private use, unsupported percentages, and courses aimed at moving into a new role rather than improving the current one.
Common IT deduction areas
Often relevant
- Laptops, monitors, headsets, and other devices used for work, with private use apportioned
- Software subscriptions, cloud tools, and professional memberships connected to your current role
- Phone and internet costs with records supporting the work-related share
- Working from home expenses using a method accepted by the ATO
- Eligible certifications, courses, and training that maintain or improve current-role skills
Common traps
- Claiming a full laptop or mobile bill where there is clear private use
- Using a blanket percentage for home internet or devices without evidence
- Claiming reimbursed software, hardware, or home-office equipment
- Claiming study that is really directed at a new career path or materially different role
Device, WFH, and training checkpoints
- Equipment: more expensive items may need to be claimed over time rather than all at once.
- Mixed use: keep usage notes for devices, phone, and internet where private use exists.
- Working from home: keep the records the ATO requires for the method you use.
- Training: the course must have a close enough connection to your current duties, not just a general tech benefit.
Start with these calculators
Tax return calculator
Estimate the refund or tax impact of your work-related deductions.
Income tax calculator
Check annual tax at different salary levels before and after deductions.
Pay calculator
Model take-home pay across weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or annual income.
Salary sacrifice calculator
Compare super salary sacrifice against current take-home pay.
IT tax FAQs
Can IT professionals claim laptops and monitors?
Usually yes for the work-related portion if you paid the cost yourself and were not reimbursed. The timing of the deduction depends on the asset rules and the cost of the item.
Can IT professionals claim working from home expenses?
Often yes, but you need to use an accepted ATO method and keep the records that support your claim.
Can IT professionals claim certifications and courses?
Often yes where the training maintains or improves the skills you use in your current role, or is likely to increase income from that current role.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
This page summarises common employee IT deduction patterns only. Actual outcomes depend on reimbursement, private use apportionment, the method used for working from home claims, and whether the study has the connection the ATO requires.
Uses 2025-26 ATO rates.