The end of the financial year is here again, which means it’s
time to start thinking about getting your tax return organized.
To help you with your tax return, the Tax Office has produced
a publication specifically for police officers.
This booklet includes information police officers need to know
when claiming work-related expenses. It also contains other useful tips to help
complete your tax return, and ensure you claim all your entitlements.
As a police officer, some of the things you may be able to
claim as deductions include:
- The cost of additional ammunition used for work-related or
training activities.
- The cost of fitness expenses, only if you are required to
maintain a very high level of physical fitness because you are a police officer
involved in strenuous physical activities on a regular basis. Members of
special emergency squads, diving squads, police academy physical training
instructors, and police officers who work regularly with police dogs and train
them may be able to claim fitness expenses. Fitness expenses may include the
cost of travelling directly from work to engage in a fitness activity. You
cannot claim gymnasium membership fees or sports clothing of a conventional
nature as fitness expenses.
More information is available in Occupational Ruling Summary
– Police Officers, which you can get from the Tax Office late June.
When you’re ready to lodge your tax return, you might want to
try e-tax, the Tax Office’s free electronic tax return preparation and
lodgement software.
Most people who lodge their tax return using e-tax receive
their refund within 14 days. To download e-tax, visit the Tax Office website
from July 1, 2003.
Copies of occupational rulings can be downloaded from the Tax
Office website www.ato.gov.au or paper
copies can be ordered by calling our Publication Distribution Service on 1 300
720 092. Details can also be found in TaxPack 2003, by visiting your nearest
ATO access centre, or contact your tax agent.
