Office manager guide

Tax for Office Managers Australia

Q: Can office managers claim working from home expenses?

Office managers can generally claim eligible working from home expenses if they incur the cost themselves, use an accepted ATO method, and keep the required records.

Q: Can office managers claim office equipment and software?

Office managers can generally claim the work-related share of office equipment, software, and subscriptions used to earn income, subject to asset timing rules and private-use adjustments.

Q: Can office managers claim ordinary office clothing?

Office managers generally cannot claim standard office clothing, even if a neat or professional appearance is expected. Only specific compulsory, protective, or registered occupation-specific clothing may qualify.

This page is for office managers and operations coordinators who want a practical guide to WFH, software, equipment, and mixed-use office costs.

Quick answer: office managers can often claim eligible working-from-home costs, the work-use share of equipment and software, and current-role training, but ordinary officewear, personal internet use, and unsupported percentages remain common traps.

Common office manager deduction areas

Often relevant

Working from home expenses using an accepted ATO method
Laptops, monitors, headsets, and office equipment used to earn income
Software subscriptions, admin tools, stationery, and phone costs paid personally
Training or short courses tied to current office-management duties
Travel between multiple office locations or sites where genuinely work-related

Common traps

Claiming ordinary office clothing or grooming costs
Claiming employer-provided or reimbursed equipment
Using rough home-office or phone percentages without support
Claiming study aimed at changing into a materially different role

WFH and equipment checkpoints

WFH records: keep diary notes, invoices, and method-specific evidence.
Asset timing: higher-cost equipment may need decline-in-value treatment.
Private use: exclude personal use of laptops, internet, and software.
Reimbursements: employer-paid costs usually cannot also be claimed.

Start with these calculators

Tax return calculator

Estimate the refund impact of eligible office-manager deductions.

Pay calculator

Check take-home pay across weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or annual salary.

Income tax calculator

Model annual tax before and after deductions.

Depreciation calculator

Useful where office equipment is too expensive for an immediate deduction.

Office manager tax FAQs

Can office managers claim working from home expenses?

Often yes where the cost is yours, the work is done from home, and you keep the required records.

Can office managers claim office equipment and software?

Often yes for the work-related share, subject to asset timing rules and private-use adjustments.

Can office managers claim ordinary office clothing?

Usually no for standard officewear, even if a professional appearance is expected.

Tax Accuracy & Sources

Reviewed: March 2026 · Tax year: 2025-26

This page summarises common office-manager deduction patterns only. Because the ATO does not appear to publish a standalone office-manager occupation guide, outcomes depend on reimbursement, private-use apportionment, asset timing, and whether the expense directly relates to current duties.

Last reviewed: March 2026 Uses 2025-26 ATO rates.