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ewruhuv(Newbie)Newbie
18 July 2024

I work for an organisation and earn income from that company. To complete my tax return, I was filling in item depreciation using the tool and a banner popped up telling me to move them to the Low Value Pool.

I did that, and now My Tax has a pre-filled field saying, "You were a sole trader or had business income or losses, partnership or trust distributions (not from a managed fund)" with "Business Income or loss" having a tick next to it and it has transferred my personal item depreciation to be under this section in Net non-primary production.


I do not have a business or have every registered to open any sort of business so I don't have any information to add into the required fields.


When I click on edit to get rid of it because I have no idea about that is, and it asks if I have a PSI, and when I click on "No" it proceeds to display more fields asking about a business?? I can't complete this step because I don't have business or sole trader information, but I also can't remove it at all. I even tried deleting my entire tax return and starting again, however as my depreciated assets are already in the Low Value Pool that information remains under the business and sole trader field. Have I made a mistake adding items to the Low Value Pool (personal work related expenses like a desk and computer monitor) and is there a way to undo what I've done?


Please let me know if you can help or guide me - thanks in advance!

3,095 views
4 replies
3,095 views
4 replies

Most helpful response

Most helpful reply

Matt_ATO(Community Support)Community Support
22 July 2024

Howdy @ewruhuv,


The system might have made an incorrect assumption based on the Low Value Pool entry.


Lets try a workaround:

  • Go back to the section where you entered the Low Value Pool details.
  • Look for an option to remove or delete the entry.
  • If that’s not possible, consider manually adjusting the business income field:
  • Enter $0 as your business income or loss (since you’re not a business owner).

Make sure the system doesn’t apply any business-related deductions to your personal assets.


Let us know how you go.

All replies

RB.W(Newbie)Newbie
22 July 2024

I have exactly the same problem. My tax return suggested I transfer a simple depreciating asset to the 'low value pool'. Following the prompts, this was transferred and it now appears in the 'Business/Sole Trader' section. It now asks for all kinds of unrelated information as a business/sole trader, which I am not. You are not able to submit your tax return return unless you fill in the information. I would also like to know how this can be deleted, so I can start over.

Most helpful reply

Matt_ATO(Community Support)Community Support
22 July 2024

Howdy @ewruhuv,


The system might have made an incorrect assumption based on the Low Value Pool entry.


Lets try a workaround:

  • Go back to the section where you entered the Low Value Pool details.
  • Look for an option to remove or delete the entry.
  • If that’s not possible, consider manually adjusting the business income field:
  • Enter $0 as your business income or loss (since you’re not a business owner).

Make sure the system doesn’t apply any business-related deductions to your personal assets.


Let us know how you go.

mazleone(I'm new)I'm new
17 Sept 2025

I have the exact same problem. I have gone back to where I moved assets to Low value pool and this cannot be undone. I have also tried putting 0 in the business section but that doesn't work either. I have redone my return numerous times from the start and I can't change anything. Can you help please?

RachelATO(Community Moderator)Community Moderator
19 Sept 2025

Hi @mazleone,


You can accidentally trigger the business section in myTax by using the Low-value pool for items that are actually personal work-related expenses. This can happen because the low-value pool is typically used for business assets, and myTax assumes you’re a sole trader or have business income when you use it.


You’ll need to go back to the ‘Depreciation and capital allowances tool’ and remove the items from the low-value pool. Instead, re-enter them as individual depreciating assets under Work-related expenses.


Once you’ve removed the low-value pool entry, the business section should no longer be ticked. If it’s still showing, try deleting any remaining entries under Business income or loss.


Use the tool again, but this time make sure you select that the items are for work-related use as an employee, not for business purposes. This will keep the claim in the correct section of your return. We've got some instructions to help you claim deductions for low value assets.


If you’ve already lodged your return, you may need to request an amendment. If not, you can fix it before lodging.

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How do I remove the Business/Sole Trader field? | ATO Community