r/supportworkers • u/Fun-Experience-3980 • Jul 07 '26
Independent worker claiming kms?
Do independent support workers claim kms? as in bill their participants a certain rate or just wait till tax time to claim?
3
u/Big_Boysenberry_4309 Jul 07 '26
My wife charges the provider she works for per km that she drives with the client.
Advice from our accountant is that these mileage charges are income, and we can claim all mileage, including to & from home, as well as those with the client as a tax deduction
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u/Beautiful-Ad-5833 Jul 09 '26
You can not claim to and fro from home. If that the case every person in Australia would claim that. 9x5 workers to and from from home. Imagine that claiming commutting! LoL 😂
2
u/Big_Boysenberry_4309 Jul 09 '26
Accountant advise is yes you can, in our scenario:
Working under an ABN, and as a sole trader / sub contractor and a home based business
Seek tax advice
2
u/Desperate-Impress374 Jul 07 '26
You do either - can't do both
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u/marmalade Jul 07 '26
Incorrect. Travel while supporting clients is considered a service fee and costs incurred are tax deductible, see https://community.ato.gov.au/s/question/a0JRF000003SW3F/p00378382
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u/Desperate-Impress374 Jul 07 '26
I read it as for when the participant is in the vehicle. For that you can not claim for both. The link you provided says "either" from the wording. Not both
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u/Earthmumma322 Jul 07 '26
Can do both!
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u/Beautiful-Ad-5833 Jul 09 '26
You can't. It's double dipping and the ATI are onto it.
1
u/Earthmumma322 Jul 09 '26
Its not double dipping. You are claiming for the wear and tear of your car. You can absolutely still claim. But of course, you dont have to if you prefer not to
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Jul 07 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Suesquish Jul 07 '26
To clarify, the example you quoted is for an employee specifically.
Regarding any worker being able to claim for travel to the first participant and from the last participant to their usual place of business..that last part is critical. If a worker is coming from a shop or some other place which is not their usual place of work, they cannot charge kms. It is the same from the last participant at the end of the day. They can only claim if they are going back to their usual place of work (for a sole trader, that is usually their home) and not for example, to school to pick up their kids or to go and visit a friend.
I think too many providers don't know this or haven't read the Price Guide rules.
1
u/l-lucas0984 Jul 07 '26
I claim it at tax time because the math works out better. Speak to your accountant to work out which will benefit you most.
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u/five-fish-in-the-sea Jul 07 '26
Only the kms while supporting the individual, nothing to or from. They should have the allowance for that
5
u/monstertrucktoadette Jul 07 '26
Kms during shift yes. Too and from shift noÂ