I work fully remotely and understand that I can't claim travel expenses to attend the office.
My employer will be holding an offsite planning day at a venue in the same city. Local staff will go directly to and from the venue from home (not via the office) on that day.
Would I be able to claim airfares and accommodation to attend the planning day?
I've looked through ATO guidance, but can't find an example that matches this situation.
Mmm. Not easy to determine.
Be aware this is my opinion of the treatment of these expenses. A tax professional or Community member may have a different view.
As per guidelines in link
Trips you can and can't claim | Australian Taxation Office
From these guidelines on claiming a trip from home to a workplace.
"You may also be able to claim a deduction for a trip that includes an alternative place of work that isn't a regular place of work – see Trips while working and between workplaces."
From that hyperlink.
"You can claim a tax deduction for the cost of transport on trips to:
If this place is not the office then transport costs between your home and the alternative workplace for the day would be deductible. (i.e. air fares, taxi, airport parking and travel to airport)
Whether the accommodation is deductible depends on your work contract in regard to where your usual place of work is located. (another can of worms).
If it is the office then the accommodation would not be deductible.
Cost of accommodation is considered under travel expense guidelines.
Overnight travel expenses | Australian Taxation Office
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