In Australia, you can claim a tax deduction for sunglasses if your job requires you to work outside for prolonged periods, making them necessary for protection against sun damage.
Deductions for safety goggles or sunglasses used to protect your eyes from the risk of illness or injury while working. You can't claim a deduction for prescription glasses or contact lenses, even if you wear them while working. These are private expenses.
You do not need receipts for up to $200 of items that cost less than $10. The $200 is the maximum for the whole tax return. Includes sun glasses, sun screens and hats.
How to Use FSA for Sunglasses. You can use your FSA funds to purchase prescription and reading sunglasses online, through your eye doctor, or at an optical or retail store. Most people are given an FSA debit card, which can often be used to pay during the checkout process just like a regular debit or credit card.
Keeping detailed records, including prescriptions and receipts, is essential to substantiate claims for eyeglasses as deductible medical expenses. To claim the METC for eyeglasses and other eligible medical expenses, taxpayers need to complete Schedule 1 of the income tax return.
The answer is yes, but there are nuances. The money spent on reading or prescription eyeglasses can be considered a tax-deductible medical expense. By categorizing glasses under "medical expenses" and itemizing deductions on form 104, Schedule A, you may be able to lower your tax burden.
$300 maximum claims rule
This rule states that if the total of your work-related expenses is $300 or less (not including car, travel, and overtime meal expenses, which can be claimed separately), you can claim the total amount as a tax deduction without receipts.
If you want to claim a refund, ask the person who supplies your glasses or contact lenses for a receipt which shows how much you paid and the date of payment. Complete an HC5 refund form and make sure you enclose your optical prescription and your receipt with your HC5 when you send it off.
A quick summary. Eye tests can sometimes be claimed if they are necessary due to your work with screens. Glasses or lenses are only allowable if they are wholly and exclusively for business use, which in practice rules out most everyday prescriptions.
Sunglasses can be cheaper in duty-free, but not always. If you're wondering, "Are sunglasses cheaper in duty-free?", the answer depends on the brand and airport. While duty-free shops remove VAT, prices are often marked up, meaning online deals are usually cheaper.
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Example: taxable income over $48,000 but under $90,000
Anita is not eligible for the low income tax offset as her income is above $66,667. As Anita's income is more than $48,000 but less than $90,000, she is eligible for a low and middle income tax offset of $1,500.
Key Takeaways
100% Deductible Expenses: Includes holiday parties, open house meals, and certain business-critical meals. 50% Deductible Expenses: Includes client meals, business travel meals, and food for in-office meetings.
If your work involves spending lengthy amounts of time outdoors, sunglasses may be tax-deductible (including prescription sunglasses). This includes jobs where you're exposed to the sun during the day and eye protection from UV exposure is necessary, such as: Teachers (when supervising outdoors) Tradies.
While most non-prescription eyewear is not HSA-eligible, HSA plans do cover sunglasses if they are medically necessary. For example, non-prescription reading sunglasses are HSA-eligible because they improve your near vision.
You can deduct these expenses whether you take the standard deduction or itemize:
You cannot get tax relief for routine ophthalmic (eye) treatment – sight tests, glasses or contact lenses. You can get tax relief for orthoptic or similar treatment prescribed by a doctor. This means the examination and treatment by exercise of squints and other eye disorders.
Returns & Exchange Eligibility:
Products must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. Products must be in the original, undamaged packaging, including any manuals, documentation, registration, and accessories. Products must be received within 30 calendar days from the date you received it.
You can insist on a refund when a product or service fails to meet consumer guarantees, meaning it's faulty, unsafe, not as described, not fit for purpose, or doesn't last a reasonable time; if the problem is "major," you can choose a refund, replacement, or repair, while minor issues usually warrant repair or replacement first, but you can insist on a refund for major failures, even if there's a "no refunds" sign. You generally cannot insist on a refund for simply changing your mind, choosing the wrong size/color, finding a cheaper price, or if you caused the fault.
The law limits how far back the ATO can go to amend their tax assessment of your tax activity. For most taxpayers with simple affairs, the tax office can go back two years, while if your tax affairs are more complex they can go back four years.
1. How much can I claim without receipts in Australia 2025?
What it really is, is a tax deduction you can claim instead of your actual expenses. The $1000 deduction equates to less than $300 in tax refund dollars for an average Australian worker who clicks to claim this deduction. However, for many people, claiming the $1000 instant deduction could mean a smaller tax refund.