Flight Attendant Tax Deductions
Author: Duncan Warnock CPA | January, 2015
If you work as a flight attendant then there are flight attendant specific as well as general tax deductions that you might be entitled to that you are not aware of. Ensure you get the opportunity to claim all the tax deductions that you are entitled to by getting help from a good accountant with your annual tax return.
Flight attendant employee tax deductions that you may be entitled to are:
1. Rehydrating moisturiser and hair conditioner: A tax deduction is allowable when rehydrating mosituriser and rehydrating hair conditioner is used to combat the drying effects on the skin and hair when constantly exposed to harsh working conditions (i.e. airline cabin pressure) and to meet the employers strict grooming requirements.
2. Overnight Travel Expenses: A tax deduction is allowable for overnight travel expenses you pay where you are required to sleep away from home for one or more nights while you are doing that work. Overnight travel expenses may include:
Meals, accommodation and incidental expenses
Car, air, bus,train, tram, ferry & taxi fares
Bridge and road tolls
Car parking
Car hire fees
Visa application fees
Generally meals, snacks and drinks you buy and consume whilst on the job are considered to be a private expense and therefore not deductible. If you receive a travel allowance from your employer this typically needs to be recorded as income in your tax return.
3. Tools & Work Equipment: Work related cost of tools and equipment can typically be claimed. Work related equipment may include items such as electronic organisers, mobile phones, luggage, overnight bags, luggage trolleys, stationary, diary and briefcase.
4. Work Related Conferences, seminars & training courses: Work related cost of attending conferences, seminars and training courses to maintain or increase knowledge or skills required by a flight attendant are typically claimable. There must be a relevant nexus between the activity the cost was incurred for and the income earning activities of the flight attendant.employee.
5. Compulsory Uniform: Work related compulsory uniform items can typically be claimed where the clothing item is an essential part of a distinctive compulsory uniform. This may also include stockings and shoes where the employer demands a specific style and colour as part of a compulsory uniform. If a style and colour isn’t stipulated by the employer then it would not be deductible.
6. Laundry of Compulsory Uniform: A tax deduction is typically allowable for the work related laundry & dry cleaning costs of a compulsory uniform
In addition to the above examples a flight attendant employee may also be able claim expenses relating to the work related portion of self education, home office running expenses, mobile phone, internet, photocopying and clothing amongst other things.
For further assistance with the preparation of a flight attendant tax return (or any other tax return), contact us to arrange a meeting with Duncan Warnock CPA from the Warnock Accounting Maribyrnong office.