Tax Deductions for IT Professionals (2025-26)
A plain-English guide to the work-related deductions IT professionals can claim on their 2025-26 Australian tax return — what qualifies, what to watch out for, what you can claim without receipts, and how much IT professionals typically claim.
Most IT professionals earning around $80,000 claim roughly $1,000 to $5,500 in work-related deductions, with a typical claim near $2,500. The biggest categories for IT professionals are below. There are no fixed ATO limits — you claim what you genuinely spent and can prove.
Deductions specific to IT professionals
These are the deductions most closely tied to your line of work. You still need to have paid for each yourself, used it to earn your income, and kept a record.
Computers, devices and accessories
Laptops, monitors, keyboards and other gear you buy for work.
- The work-use portion of a laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse and other hardware
- Items $300 or less in full; over $300 as decline in value
Watch out: Claiming 100% work use of a laptop or phone that's clearly also personal
Software and subscriptions
Work software, developer tools and technical subscriptions.
- Licences and subscriptions for software you use for work (IDEs, cloud, dev tools)
- Technical publications and professional memberships
Watch out: Claiming personal subscriptions (gaming, streaming) as work software
Home office equipment
Desk, chair and equipment for working from home.
- Desk, chair, monitor and other home-office equipment (work-use share)
Watch out: Claiming a home office without being required to work from home
What every employee can also claim
On top of the role-specific items above, IT professionals can claim these work-related costs that apply to almost everyone.
- Working from homeClaim 70c for every hour you work from home — no receipts, just an hours log.
- Car and vehicle for work88c per km for work driving (up to 5,000 km) — or a logbook for bigger claims.
- Self-education and coursesCourses that maintain or improve the skills for your current job.
- Union and professional feesUnion dues and professional memberships are fully deductible.
- Tools and equipment under $300Work items costing $300 or less are claimable in full this year.
- Tools and equipment over $300Bigger items are claimed gradually as they decline in value (depreciation).
- Phone and internetThe work-use share of your phone and internet bills.
How much do IT professionals typically claim?
These ranges are a guide to what IT professionals on different incomes commonly claim in total work-related deductions. Use them as a sanity check, not a target.
| Annual income | Lower | Typical | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 – $60,000 | $600 | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| $60,001 – $100,000 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,500 |
| $100,001+ | $1,500 | $3,500 | $8,000 |
The typical range is an estimate based on what people in your occupation commonly claim. The ATO does not publish fixed limits — your actual entitlement depends on what you genuinely spent. Claiming more than the typical range is fine if you have the receipts; claiming less than the low range may mean you're leaving money on the table.
The three golden rules for every claim
- 1You paid for it yourself and weren't reimbursed.
- 2It's directly related to earning your income — not personal, not 'just in case'.
- 3You have a record — a receipt, diary, log or bank statement.
IT Professionals tax deductions: FAQs
See what IT professionals get back
Put these deductions against your own income in EOFYmate's free estimator and watch your refund update live — no account, no card.
Official reference: the ATO's guide for IT professionals.
Deductions for other occupations
- Tax deductions for nurses & midwives
- Tax deductions for teachers
- Tax deductions for tradies
- Tax deductions for office workers
- Tax deductions for retail workers
- Tax deductions for hospitality workers
This page is general information only and not personal tax advice. The claim ranges are illustrative, not ATO limits. EOFYmate is not a registered tax agent. Always confirm with the ATO at ato.gov.au or a registered tax agent before lodging.