Taxation Ruling TR 98/5

What this ruling is about: [Note: This is a consolidated version of this document. Refer to the Tax Office Legal Database (http://law.ato.gov.au) to check its currency and to view the details of all changes.]

Class of entities or scheme: 1. [Omitted.] 2. [Omitted.] 3. This Ruling sets out the rules for calculating and claiming a deduction for laundry expenses. It addresses separately the situations where total laundry expenses incurred for the income year are: 4. The Ruling does not consider dry cleaning expenses. These expenses are not laundry expenses. Separate substantiation requirements apply (see subsection 900-40(4) and Subdivision 900 B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997). | Cross-reference table of provisions: 5. [Omitted.] 6. This Ruling applies for the 1994-95 and later income years. This Ruling does not apply to taxpayers to the extent that it conflicts with the terms of a settlement of a dispute agreed to before the date of issue of the Ruling (see paragraphs 21 and 22 of Taxation Ruling TR 92/20). 7. Taxation Ruling IT 2452 'Income tax: substantiation - upkeep of uniforms and/or protective clothing' and Taxation Determination TD 93/232 'Income tax: how are laundry expense claims calculated and substantiated for the purposes of subsection 51(1) and section 82KZB of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936?', which applied in relation to the period before 1 July 1994, have been withdrawn. 8. Some of the terms used in this Ruling are explained below: | When is a deduction allowable for laundry expenses?: 9. In short, a deduction is allowable if an expense: | (a) Expense must be incurred: 10. The laundry expense must be incurred by the taxpayer to be an allowable deduction. An expense is incurred when a taxpayer has spent the money, or paid by cheque or credit card. In some cases an expense will have been incurred when a taxpayer receives a bill or invoice for the expense for which they are liable and must pay. See Taxation Ruling TR 97/7 'Income tax: section 8-1 - meaning of 'incurred' - timing of deductions' for more information about when an expense is 'incurred'. | (b) Expense must meet the deductibility tests: 11. The laundry expense must be incurred in the course of producing salary or wage income. If the laundry expense is partly for work purposes and partly for private purposes, then only the work related portion is an allowable deduction. 12. A deduction is only allowable for the cost of washing, drying or ironing clothes that fall into one or more of the following categories: (see paragraph 8 for definitions of these terms). 13. A deduction is not allowable for the cost of laundering conventional clothing unless there is a sufficient connection between the expenditure on the conventional clothing and the income earning activities of the taxpayer. Whether such a connection exists, and the essential character of the expense, are matters to be determined by reference to all the circumstances of the particular case. See Taxation Ruling TR 94/22 and Taxation Ruling TR 96/16 'Income tax: work-related expenses: deductibility of expenses on compulsory uniform shoes, socks and stockings'. 14. A deduction is not allowable if the expense is incurred in earning tax exempt income (e.g., laundry of uniforms for members of the Army Reserve). | (c) Expense satisfies the substantiation rules: 15. A deduction for laundry expenses is not allowable in circumstances where the substantiation rules (see paragraphs 19-22) contained in Subdivision 900-B of the ITAA 1997 are not met. Subdivision 900-B requires written evidence to be kept that proves the expense was incurred, unless the exception for laundry expenses below a certain limit is satisfied (see paragraph 19-22). However, if the nature and quality of the evidence available to substantiate a claim is sufficient, the Commissioner may exercise a discretion in some circumstances and provide relief - see Taxation Ruling TR 97/24 'Income tax: relief from the effects of failing to substantiate'. | (d) Expense is not excluded from deductibility under section 51AH of the ITAA 1936 or subsection 34-10(2) of the ITAA 1997: 16. Under section 51AH of the ITAA 1936 where all or part of the expenditure is reimbursed and the reimbursement constitutes a fringe benefit, or would consitute a fringe benefit it was not an exempt benefit,under the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986, the amount reimbursed is not an allowable deduction. 17. Under subsection 34-10(2) of the ITAA 1997 a deduction is not allowable for laundry expenses associated with a non-compulsory uniform unless the design of the uniform has been entered on the Register of Approved Occupational Clothing. | Laundry allowance: 18. The receipt of an allowance for laundry expenses does not automatically mean that the expenditure is deductible. However, allowances received for laundry, clothing, uniform and related expenditure are fully assessable under subsection 6-5(1) of or section 15-2 of the ITAA 1997. See Mansfield v. FC of T 96 ATC 4001 at 4006; (1995) 31 ATR 367 at 372. | Laundry expenses up to $150: 19. Where the total amount of laundry expenses incurred in the income year is up to $150, there is no need to retain written evidence of each laundry expense - subsection 900-40(1) of the ITAA 1997. 20. However, a taxpayer may calculate their laundry expenses by keeping written evidence. See paragraph 8 for an explanation of what is written evidence. 21. Where a taxpayer does not keep written evidence of their laundry expenses, the Commissioner will allow a claim of $1 per load (which covers washing, drying and ironing) in situations where only work related clothing is being laundered, and 50 cents per load where both private and work related clothing is being laundered at the same time. This is hereafter referred to as the 'Commissioner's estimate'. If the Commissioner's estimate is used, a taxpayer should keep details of the number of washes that were done during the year, and what type of clothes (work related, private or both) were included in each wash. | Laundry expenses more than $150: 22. Where the total amount of work expenses incurred in the income year is $300 or less, there is no need for written evidence to be kept for laundry or other work expenses even if the laundry expenses are more than $150 - section 900-35 of the ITAA 1997. A taxpayer may use the Commissioner's estimate of laundry expenses or calculate their laundry expenses by keeping written evidence. However, where the total amount of work expenses is more than $300, then to claim laundry expenses that total more than $150, a taxpayer must keep written evidence of all their laundry expenses (not just the amount above $150). 23. Laundry expenses fall within the definition of 'work expenses' (see paragraph 8). Laundry expenses are those expenses to do with washing, drying or ironing clothes but not dry cleaning. Expenses such as washing detergent, water and electricity may be claimed as a deduction. 24. A taxpayer is entitled to claim as a deduction up to $300 of work expenses without the need to keep written evidence. Even if the total work expenses claimed exceed $300, up to $150 of laundry expenses may be claimed without keeping written evidence. However, this exception does not increase the $300 limit to $450 - subsection 900-40(2) of the ITAA 1997. 25. Written evidence of costs such as cleaning agents (detergents, etc.) may be kept in the form of receipts. Where each expense is $10 or less, and the total of all a taxpayer's small work expenses, not just laundry expenses, is $200 or less for the year of income, then the individual costs may be recorded in a diary and there is no need to keep receipts - section 900-125 of the ITAA 1997. 26. Electricity expenses may be calculated by reference to the average power consumption for household appliances guide that is available from a taxpayer's local electricity authority. Diaries and other records may also be used to determine the pattern of usage (the Commissioner will accept a diary that has been maintained for a minimum period of one month if it is representative of the normal pattern of usage). 27. Depreciation may also be claimed on items used in the course of washing, drying or ironing clothes (e.g., washing machine or dryer). It should be noted that if the intention is to claim depreciation of such items, full documentary evidence is to be kept of the original cost and date of purchase (subject to the application of the Commissioner's discretion in subdivision 900-H of the ITAA 1997). 28. A taxpayer may also claim a deduction for expenses incurred in using a laundromat. The deduction may be calculated using the Commissioner's estimate or as a total of actual expenses incurred. If a taxpayer wishes to claim their actual expenses, a record of each expense incurred must be kept (see paragraph 25). 29. The Commissioner's estimate is based on the following breakdown of costs incurred per single wash of work related clothes: Where work related clothing is laundered with private clothing, the amount of $1 per wash is to be halved (i.e., only 50 cents per wash is allowed). | Total laundry expenses are up to $150 and when added to other work expenses the total is $300 or less: 30. Joe works as a mechanic. He incurred $90 in purchasing protective overalls. Joe washed his overalls twice a week for 48 weeks of the year and did no other washing at the same time (i.e., his overalls were washed separately from all his other clothes). He did not keep detailed records of his laundry expenses and has chosen to use the Commissioner's estimate. Joe calculates his deduction as follows: $1 per wash x 2 washes per week x 48 weeks = $96 Joe calculates his deduction as follows: Joe's total work expenses are as follows: 31. Where the total of laundry and other work expenses is $300 or less, there is no need to retain written evidence of each expense incurred. As Joe's laundry expenses do not exceed $150, and his total work expenses do not exceed $300, he does not need to keep written evidence of either his laundry expenses or his other work expenses. However, he should keep details showing how the number of washes was worked out. | Total laundry expenses are up to $150 and when added to other work expenses the total is more than $300: 32. Lisa works as a nurse. She wants to claim a deduction for laundering her nurse's traditional uniform and incurred $290 in other work expenses. Lisa washed her uniform twice a week for 48 weeks of the year and did no other washing at the same time (i.e., her uniform was washed separately from all her other clothes). She did not keep detailed records of her laundry expenses and has chosen to use the Commissioner's estimate. Lisa calculates her deduction as follows: $1 per wash x 2 washes per week x 48 weeks = $96 Lisa calculates her deduction as follows: Lisa's total work expenses are as follows: 33. Where the total of laundry expenses is up to $150 and the total of laundry expenses and other work expenses is more than $300, written evidence of each work expense incurred (other than laundry expenses) must be kept. As Lisa's total work expenses are more than $300 she must keep written evidence of her other work expenses. She does not need to keep written evidence of her laundry expenses as they do not exceed $150. However, she should keep details showing how the number of washes was worked out. | Total laundry expenses are more than $150 and when added to other work expenses the total is $300 or less: 34. Julie works as a plumber. She incurred $40 in purchasing protective overalls and washed them five times a week (for 48 weeks of the year) - no other washing was done at the same time (i.e., her overalls were washed separately from all her other clothes). She did not keep detailed records of her laundry expenses and has chosen to use the Commissioner's estimate. Julie calculates her deduction as follows: $1 per wash x 5 washes per week x 48 weeks = $240 Julie calculates her deduction as follows: Julie's total work expenses are as follows: 35. Where laundry expenses total more than $150 and the total of work expenses (including laundry) is $300 or less, there is no need to retain written evidence of each expense incurred. As Julie's total work expenses do not exceed $300 she does not need to keep written evidence of either her laundry expenses or her other work expenses. | Total laundry expenses are more than $150 and when added to other work expenses the total is more than $300: 36. Charles works as a bank teller in Victoria and incurred $500 in purchasing his compulsory bank uniform. He washed the uniform twice a week for 48 weeks of the year and washed his other clothes at the same time. He kept detailed records of his laundry expenses which showed that each load cost $4.07. Charles calculates the total cost of all the washes he did for the year (2 per week for 52 weeks of the year) as follows: The average cost per wash = $423.10/104 = $4.07 However, as Charles washed his private clothes with his work clothes the cost of a 'work related wash' must be halved: $4.07/2 = $2.04 (rounded) Charles must multiply the average cost per wash by the number of times he washed his uniform: $2.04 per wash x 2 washes per week x 48 weeks = $196 However, as Charles washed his private clothes with his work clothes the cost of a 'work related wash' must be halved: Charles must multiply the average cost per wash by the number of times he washed his uniform: Charles' total work expenses are as follows: 37. Where laundry expenses total more than $150 and the total of work expenses (including laundry) is more than $300, written evidence of each expense incurred (including laundry) must be kept. As Charles' total work expenses are more than $300 he must keep written evidence of his other work expenses (i.e., the cost of purchasing his uniform). He also needs to keep written evidence of his laundry expenses as they total more than $150. Commissioner of Taxation 6 May 1998 Previously released in draft form as TR 97/D8

Ruling: When is a deduction allowable for laundry expenses?: 9. In short, a deduction is allowable if an expense: | (a) Expense must be incurred: 10. The laundry expense must be incurred by the taxpayer to be an allowable deduction. An expense is incurred when a taxpayer has spent the money, or paid by cheque or credit card. In some cases an expense will have been incurred when a taxpayer receives a bill or invoice for the expense for which they are liable and must pay. See Taxation Ruling TR 97/7 'Income tax: section 8-1 - meaning of 'incurred' - timing of deductions' for more information about when an expense is 'incurred'. | (b) Expense must meet the deductibility tests: 11. The laundry expense must be incurred in the course of producing salary or wage income. If the laundry expense is partly for work purposes and partly for private purposes, then only the work related portion is an allowable deduction. 12. A deduction is only allowable for the cost of washing, drying or ironing clothes that fall into one or more of the following categories: (see paragraph 8 for definitions of these terms). 13. A deduction is not allowable for the cost of laundering conventional clothing unless there is a sufficient connection between the expenditure on the conventional clothing and the income earning activities of the taxpayer. Whether such a connection exists, and the essential character of the expense, are matters to be determined by reference to all the circumstances of the particular case. See Taxation Ruling TR 94/22 and Taxation Ruling TR 96/16 'Income tax: work-related expenses: deductibility of expenses on compulsory uniform shoes, socks and stockings'. 14. A deduction is not allowable if the expense is incurred in earning tax exempt income (e.g., laundry of uniforms for members of the Army Reserve). | (c) Expense satisfies the substantiation rules: 15. A deduction for laundry expenses is not allowable in circumstances where the substantiation rules (see paragraphs 19-22) contained in Subdivision 900-B of the ITAA 1997 are not met. Subdivision 900-B requires written evidence to be kept that proves the expense was incurred, unless the exception for laundry expenses below a certain limit is satisfied (see paragraph 19-22). However, if the nature and quality of the evidence available to substantiate a claim is sufficient, the Commissioner may exercise a discretion in some circumstances and provide relief - see Taxation Ruling TR 97/24 'Income tax: relief from the effects of failing to substantiate'. | (d) Expense is not excluded from deductibility under section 51AH of the ITAA 1936 or subsection 34-10(2) of the ITAA 1997: 16. Under section 51AH of the ITAA 1936 where all or part of the expenditure is reimbursed and the reimbursement constitutes a fringe benefit, or would consitute a fringe benefit it was not an exempt benefit,under the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986, the amount reimbursed is not an allowable deduction. 17. Under subsection 34-10(2) of the ITAA 1997 a deduction is not allowable for laundry expenses associated with a non-compulsory uniform unless the design of the uniform has been entered on the Register of Approved Occupational Clothing. | Laundry allowance: 18. The receipt of an allowance for laundry expenses does not automatically mean that the expenditure is deductible. However, allowances received for laundry, clothing, uniform and related expenditure are fully assessable under subsection 6-5(1) of or section 15-2 of the ITAA 1997. See Mansfield v. FC of T 96 ATC 4001 at 4006; (1995) 31 ATR 367 at 372. | Laundry expenses up to $150: 19. Where the total amount of laundry expenses incurred in the income year is up to $150, there is no need to retain written evidence of each laundry expense - subsection 900-40(1) of the ITAA 1997. 20. However, a taxpayer may calculate their laundry expenses by keeping written evidence. See paragraph 8 for an explanation of what is written evidence. 21. Where a taxpayer does not keep written evidence of their laundry expenses, the Commissioner will allow a claim of $1 per load (which covers washing, drying and ironing) in situations where only work related clothing is being laundered, and 50 cents per load where both private and work related clothing is being laundered at the same time. This is hereafter referred to as the 'Commissioner's estimate'. If the Commissioner's estimate is used, a taxpayer should keep details of the number of washes that were done during the year, and what type of clothes (work related, private or both) were included in each wash. | Laundry expenses more than $150: 22. Where the total amount of work expenses incurred in the income year is $300 or less, there is no need for written evidence to be kept for laundry or other work expenses even if the laundry expenses are more than $150 - section 900-35 of the ITAA 1997. A taxpayer may use the Commissioner's estimate of laundry expenses or calculate their laundry expenses by keeping written evidence. However, where the total amount of work expenses is more than $300, then to claim laundry expenses that total more than $150, a taxpayer must keep written evidence of all their laundry expenses (not just the amount above $150). 23. Laundry expenses fall within the definition of 'work expenses' (see paragraph 8). Laundry expenses are those expenses to do with washing, drying or ironing clothes but not dry cleaning. Expenses such as washing detergent, water and electricity may be claimed as a deduction. 24. A taxpayer is entitled to claim as a deduction up to $300 of work expenses without the need to keep written evidence. Even if the total work expenses claimed exceed $300, up to $150 of laundry expenses may be claimed without keeping written evidence. However, this exception does not increase the $300 limit to $450 - subsection 900-40(2) of the ITAA 1997. 25. Written evidence of costs such as cleaning agents (detergents, etc.) may be kept in the form of receipts. Where each expense is $10 or less, and the total of all a taxpayer's small work expenses, not just laundry expenses, is $200 or less for the year of income, then the individual costs may be recorded in a diary and there is no need to keep receipts - section 900-125 of the ITAA 1997. 26. Electricity expenses may be calculated by reference to the average power consumption for household appliances guide that is available from a taxpayer's local electricity authority. Diaries and other records may also be used to determine the pattern of usage (the Commissioner will accept a diary that has been maintained for a minimum period of one month if it is representative of the normal pattern of usage). 27. Depreciation may also be claimed on items used in the course of washing, drying or ironing clothes (e.g., washing machine or dryer). It should be noted that if the intention is to claim depreciation of such items, full documentary evidence is to be kept of the original cost and date of purchase (subject to the application of the Commissioner's discretion in subdivision 900-H of the ITAA 1997). 28. A taxpayer may also claim a deduction for expenses incurred in using a laundromat. The deduction may be calculated using the Commissioner's estimate or as a total of actual expenses incurred. If a taxpayer wishes to claim their actual expenses, a record of each expense incurred must be kept (see paragraph 25). 29. The Commissioner's estimate is based on the following breakdown of costs incurred per single wash of work related clothes: Where work related clothing is laundered with private clothing, the amount of $1 per wash is to be halved (i.e., only 50 cents per wash is allowed).




What this Ruling is about | Class of person/arrangement | How do you substantiate laundry expenses? | Average cost of using washing machine (warm machine wash) | Average cost of using clothes dryer | Average cost of using iron | Depreciation of washing machine | 14,000 litres per year@ $0.00065 per litre* | Electricity - washing machine | $7 per 20 washes x 104 washes for the year*** | Depreciation of clothes dryer | Electricity - clothes dryer | * The water usage for Charles' washing machine was obtained from the guide 'How much water do you use?' issued by South East Water (each taxpayer should use the guide issued by their local authority). Each taxpayer should also obtain the cost per litre of water used from their local authority. | ** The electricity cost for Charles' washing machine, clothes dryer and iron were obtained from the 'Guide to Operating Costs of Domestic Electrical Appliances' issued by United Energy (each taxpayer should use the guide issued by their local authority). | *** A bottle of detergent, which lasted 20 washes, cost Charles $7. Therefore, the cost of detergent per wash is $7/20 washes = 35 cents per wash.


Related rulings: TR 94/22 TR 96/16 TR 97/7 TR 97/12 TR 97/24
Legislative references: ITAA 1997 6-5(1) ITAA 1997 15-2 ITAA 1997 34-10(2) ITAA 1997 34-15(1) ITAA 1997 34-15(2) ITAA 1997 34-20(1) ITAA 1997 34-20(2) ITAA 1997 Subdiv 900-B ITAA 1997 Subdiv 900-H ITAA 1997 900-30(1) ITAA 1997 900-35 ITAA 1997 900-40(1) ITAA 1997 900-40(2) ITAA 1997 900-40(4) ITAA 1997 900-115 ITAA 1997 900-125 ITAA 1936 51AH FBTAA
Case references: Mansfield v. FC of T 96 ATC 4001 (1995) 31 ATR 367
Subject references: cleaning expenses corporate and compulsory clothing expenses deductions and expenses laundry and dry cleaning expenses laundry expense allowances laundry other than dry cleaning allowances occupation specific clothing expenses protective clothing expenses reasonable laundry expense allowances work related expenses