Tax Time Checklist: 11 Things to Gather Before Sending Your Tax Return to Your Accountant

Getting organised before tax time makes the whole process faster, easier, and less stressful. This checklist covers the documents and records we ask for most often. 

This checklist is designed for individuals. That includes anyone who works for an employer, as well as company directors who pay themselves a salary through their own company. 

While it isn't an exhaustive list, it covers the deductions, income and information we ask about most often. There will always be less common situations that aren't included, but this checklist is a great starting point. 

Whether you're a FIFO worker, a healthcare professional, or the director of your own company, this checklist will help you gather the information you'll most likely need for your tax return. 

1. Shares 

If you own shares, save every dividend statement you received during the financial year. 

If you sold any shares, your accountant will need: 

• What you originally paid for the shares 

• What you sold them for 

• Any brokerage or transaction fees you paid to buy or sell them 

If you use an app like Sharesies or a platform like CommSec, log in and download your annual tax statement. Don't rely on memory. 

2. Work From Home Hours 

If you worked from home, you may be able to claim a deduction, but you need records to support the hours you worked. 

Useful records include: 

• A diary or timesheet of your work from home hours 

• Rosters or work schedules 

• Calendar entries that show when you worked from home 

Tip: Export your work calendar and ask Claude to organise it into a simple spreadsheet showing your weekly work from home hours. It's an easy way to create a clear record for your accountant. 

3. Voluntary Super Contributions 

Did you make extra contributions to your super this year, above what your employer paid? 

If you want to claim a tax deduction, you'll need to lodge a Notice of Intent to Claim with your super fund and receive confirmation before claiming the deduction. 

The start of the new financial year is the perfect time to get this sorted. 

4. Work-Related Car Travel 

If you use your own car for work, you may be able to claim a deduction. 

Keep in mind that travelling between home and your regular workplace is generally not deductible. There are limited exceptions, such as carrying bulky tools or equipment that can't be securely stored at work. 

If you're using the cents per kilometre method, you can claim up to 5,000 work-related kilometres each year. You'll still need to be able to explain how you calculated your claim, so keep a simple diary or log of your work travel. 

5. Protective Equipment (PPE) 

Did you buy items such as: 

• Safety boots 

• High-vis clothing 

• Hard hats 

• Safety glasses 

• Gloves 

• Sunscreen (where required for outdoor work) 

Keep your receipts and make a list of what you purchased. It makes tax time much easier. 

6. Laundry for Work Clothing 

You may be able to claim the cost of washing: 

• Protective clothing 

• Occupation-specific clothing (such as nurses' scrubs or chef uniforms) 

• Registered uniforms 

You can't claim the cost of washing ordinary clothes, even if you only wear them to work. 

If you plan to claim laundry expenses, keep a simple record of how many full and half loads of eligible work clothing you wash each week. 

7. Accountant and Union Fees 

Fees you pay to prepare and lodge your tax return are generally tax deductible in the year you pay them. 

For example, if you pay your accountant on 8 August 2026 to prepare your 2026 tax return, you'll generally claim that fee in your 2027 tax return. 

Union membership fees are also generally deductible. 

8. Donations 

You may be able to claim donations of $2 or more made to Australian organisations that are registered as Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs). 

Always keep your receipt and check whether the organisation is a registered DGR. Your receipt will usually state whether the donation is tax deductible, but if you're unsure you can check the organisation's DGR status on the Australian Business Register. 

Generally, you can't claim: 

• Lottery tickets or raffle tickets 

• School fundraising purchases 

• GoFundMe or crowdfunding donations (unless the fundraiser is run by, or on behalf of, a registered DGR) 

• Payments where you received something in return, such as event tickets or merchandise 

• Donations to foreign or international charities, unless they are endorsed as a DGR in Australia 

When in doubt, check your receipt before adding the donation to your tax return. 

9. Income Protection Insurance 

If you pay for income protection insurance yourself and it's held outside your super fund, the premiums are generally tax deductible. 

Download your annual statement from your insurer. It will usually show the deductible premium amount. 

10. Self-Education Expenses 

Did you complete any courses your employer didn't pay for? 

You may be able to claim the cost if the course helps you maintain or improve the skills or knowledge you need in your current job, or is likely to increase your income in your current role. 

Keep your receipts. You may also be able to claim travel directly between work and your place of study. 

Generally, you can't claim courses that help you change careers or qualify for a completely new occupation. 

11. Equipment and Tools 

Did you buy equipment for work, such as a laptop, monitor, headset or other tools? 

If you use the item for both work and personal purposes, you can generally claim the work-related portion. 

Keep your receipts, as your accountant may also need to work out whether the item is claimed immediately or depreciated over time. 

A Final Tip 

The easiest way to reduce the stress of tax time is to keep your records throughout the year instead of scrambling to find them in July. 

One thing that works well for me is having a folder in my email inbox called "Tax Time." Whenever I receive a receipt, dividend statement, insurance summary or other tax-related document, I simply move it into that folder. 

It only takes a few seconds throughout the year, and when tax time rolls around, everything I need is already in one place. It's a simple habit that can save you hours and help make preparing your tax return much less stressful. 

And if you're ever unsure whether something is relevant, save it anyway. It's much easier for your accountant to tell you that you don't need it than to try and track it down later. 

This blog provides general information only and isn’t professional advice. We aim for accuracy but can’t guarantee completeness or suitability. Please consult a qualified tax professional before acting on anything here. Indigo Tax Pty Ltd isn’t responsible for any loss from using this content.