Tax deduction for worldwide hobo accommodation?

[drcam]

I am working purely in a telehealth role and as such I can work anywhere in the world (although indemnity issues prevent me from working in the USA).

I am heading to Asia at the end of March, and I will be moving around for several months, but still intending to work close to full time hours.

Does this mean I can claim at least part of my accommodation costs as a tax deduction, given that I will be working at my hotel for the major part of my stay at any given town?

If so, what a rort!

 

[Mwenenzi]

I am working purely in a telehealth role and as such I can work anywhere in the world (although indemnity issues prevent me from working in the USA).

I am heading to Asia at the end of March, and I will be moving around for several months, but still intending to work close to full time hours.

Does this mean I can claim at least part of my accommodation costs as a tax deduction, given that I will be working at my hotel for the major part of my stay at any given town?

If so, what a rort!

What does your tax accountant say about this? Best to get professional advice. (which is not randoms on AFF)
Do have a real AU physical address?
Being paid by an AU company/organization?
What is your individual structure? Individual - company? [ = tax accountant]
There are now 1000's of people working remotely. Some may even pay tax.
The ATO will have an opinion. You are not the first.

https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/hiring-and-paying-your-workers/payg-withholding/payments-you-need-to-withhold-from/payments-to-employees/allowances-and-reimbursements/travel-allowances

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/income-deductions-offsets-and-records/deductions-you-can-claim/work-related-deductions/cars-transport-and-travel/overnight-travel-expenses-and-allowances/overnight-travel-expenses

https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/hiring-and-paying-your-workers/fringe-benefits-tax/types-of-fringe-benefits/accommodation-and-location-related-fringe-benefits/living-away-from-home-allowance-fringe-benefits

 

[CaptJCool]

I am working purely in a telehealth role and as such I can work anywhere in the world (although indemnity issues prevent me from working in the USA).

I am heading to Asia at the end of March, and I will be moving around for several months, but still intending to work close to full time hours.

Does this mean I can claim at least part of my accommodation costs as a tax deduction, given that I will be working at my hotel for the major part of my stay at any given town?

If so, what a rort!

No

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/income-deductions-offsets-and-records/deductions-you-can-claim/work-related-deductions/working-from-home-expenses

It’s ONLY the marginal extra expenses not the ENTIRE COST of overseas accommodation

 

[drron]

Talk to your accountant. I doubt that they would say yes.

 

[serfty]

Talk to your accountant. I doubt that they would say yes.

Agreed.

The ATO provides a very narrow, but standard path where such may be possible but with your indicated circumstances this would appear not applicable

There are some historical links in this thread:

Thread 'Travel Allowances ATO ruling'

Jul 30, 2012

I'm a keen reader of the ATOs annual ruling "Income tax: what are the reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance expense amounts for the 2012-13 income year?". I read the document in the context of being a self-employed business owner whom travels overseas on business.

My understanding of this document is that it provides a maximum 'unsupported' claim amount for daily allowances while I am away travelling on business.

Key things that I rely on:

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Tax return treatment - Where a travel or overtime meal allowance which does not...​

• albatross710
• Replies: 51
• Forum: Open Discussion

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

No. Not tax deductible. If you live at home and work from home then not deductible. If you live overseas and work then still not deductible. It’s personal in nature. If work requires you to go overseas due to a specific reason then ok - tax deductible.

The tax act is simple in this case please refer to below.

Key Requirements for Section 8-1 Deductions:

• Incurred: The expense must have been actually paid or a firm obligation to pay must exist.
• Nexus: There must be a direct connection to gaining or producing assessable income.
• Not Excluded: Expenses cannot be of a private, domestic, or capital nature (e.g., purchasing a laptop is capital, but depreciation may be claimed).
• Apportionment: If an expense is partly for business and partly private, only the business portion is deductible.