Top 10 Tax Mistakes Every Australian Police Officer Makes
Rotating shifts, court, uniforms, equipment and role-specific duties make police tax returns unlike most others. In this video, Garry Angus walks through the ten mistakes we see officers make every year — and exactly how to avoid them.
What you'll learn
- The deductions police officers most often miss — union fees, uniforms, phone, internet and equipment.
- Where officers claim incorrectly, from travel and meals to copying someone else's checklist.
- The records to keep through the year so your claims hold up if reviewed.
- Why a police-tax specialist beats a general accountant — 50+ years supporting officers Australia-wide.
The 10 mistakes, one by one
A written breakdown of each mistake Garry covers in the video, so you can scan, share and act on it. General information only — your own circumstances determine what you can claim.
1 Leaving your paperwork until June
Waiting until tax time to get organised means receipts disappear and purchases get forgotten. Keeping records through the year makes lodging easier and supports your claims if they're ever reviewed.
2 Forgetting union fees
Many officers pay union fees every year, yet they're one of the most commonly forgotten deductions. Always check your annual union statement before lodging.
3 Missing phone & home internet
If you use your own phone for work — checking rosters or reading emails — you may be able to claim the work-related portion. The same applies to home internet. Keep a reasonable basis for your claim.
4 Overlooking uniforms & laundry
Compulsory uniforms, protective clothing and the laundering of eligible uniforms may all be claimable. These are easy to overlook but can add up significantly.
5 Forgetting work equipment
Officers often buy work-related equipment themselves. Depending on your role this may include torches, duty bags or other tools required to perform your duties — don't let these forgotten expenses cost you.
6 Not asking about self-education
Where your education directly relates to your current role — like university studies or specialist courses — eligible expenses may be deductible. Many officers never ask the question.
7 Getting travel wrong
Travel between home and work is generally not deductible. However, travel between work locations, eligible training or court appearances may qualify. Accurate records are essential here.
8 Assuming meals are deductible
Working long shifts or overtime doesn't automatically make meals deductible. Whether meal expenses can be claimed depends on the specific circumstances and the relevant tax rules.
9 Copying someone else's checklist
No two officers perform exactly the same duties. Highway Patrol, Detectives and Forensics all involve different expenses. Your return should be based on your own circumstances, not someone else's list.
10 Assuming any accountant knows police tax
The biggest mistake is assuming every accountant understands police tax. Working with a specialist who understands your allowances and equipment helps ensure your return is accurate and you don't miss deductions.
Get it done right — with a police tax specialist
More than 50 years helping Australian police officers lodge accurately and claim what they're entitled to.
Full video transcript
The complete transcript is included for accessibility and to help search engines understand the video.
Did you know that a police officer's tax return is often very different from most other Australian tax returns? Every day, police officers work rotating shifts, attend court, and perform duties that most taxpayers never experience.
Hi, I'm Garry from Police Tax. For more than fifty years, our team has specialised in helping Australian police officers prepare their tax returns with confidence. Every tax season we see officers making the same costly mistakes — some miss deductions, others claim incorrectly. Today, I'm going to take you through the top 10 tax mistakes we see every year and how you can avoid them.
One of the biggest mistakes starts long before tax time: waiting until June to organise your paperwork. Receipts disappear, and purchases get forgotten. Keeping organised records throughout the year makes lodging your return much easier and supports your claims if they're ever reviewed.
Many police officers pay union fees every year, yet they're one of the most commonly forgotten deductions. Before lodging your return, always check your annual union statement.
If you use your own phone for work — checking rosters or reading emails — you may be able to claim the work-related portion. The same principle applies to your home internet. The important thing is keeping a reasonable basis for your claim.
Compulsory uniforms, protective clothing, and laundering eligible uniforms may all be claimable. Many officers simply overlook these expenses, but they can add up significantly.
Police officers often purchase work-related equipment themselves. Depending on your role, this may include torches, duty bags, or other tools required to perform your duties. Don't let these forgotten expenses cost you.
Where your education directly relates to your current employment — like university studies or specialist courses — eligible expenses may be deductible. Unfortunately, many officers never ask the question.
Travel between home and work is generally not deductible. However, travel between work locations, eligible training, or court appearances may qualify. Keeping accurate records is extremely important here.
Working long shifts or overtime doesn't automatically make meals deductible. Whether meal expenses can be claimed depends on specific circumstances and the relevant tax rules.
No two police officers perform exactly the same duties. Highway Patrol, Detectives, Forensics — different roles involve different expenses. Your return should be based on your own circumstances, not someone else's checklist.
The biggest mistake is assuming every accountant understands police tax. Working with a specialist who understands your allowances and equipment ensures your return is prepared accurately and you don't miss deductions.
I hope today's video has helped you understand the most common mistakes. At Police Tax, we've specialised in helping Australian police officers for over fifty years. We understand your profession and we're here to make tax time simple. If you'd like assistance, visit www.policetax.com.au or call 1800 819 692. I'm Garry from Police Tax. Stay safe, and we'll see you next time.