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Tradietax(Newbie)Newbie
26 Aug 2024

My understanding is that fitness deductions can be claimed in certain industry's if the work they do involves regular strenuous physical activity and by the examples given on the ato website I would consider a tradesman (carpenter) to have to perform regular strenuous physical activity such as building and standing walls, lifting trusses and other heavy objects, constantly hold drills/nail guns above our shoulders to fix and build objects, balancing on roof and other structures. Digging holes and foundations. Could you claim the cost of gym or yoga memberships to keep out body's in shape as a deduction?

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Innerwesty(Champion)Champion
26 Aug 2024

Maybe not Scottie Cam. I read the ATO’s page for tradies and it doesn’t mention fitness at all https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/income-deductions-offsets-and-records/tradies-be-certain-about-what-you-can-claim

Tradietax(Newbie)Newbie
26 Aug 2024


https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/income-deductions-offsets-and-records/deductions-you-can-claim/personal-grooming-health-and-fitness/gym-fees-and-fitness-related-expenses



However, there are very limited circumstances where you can claim a deduction if your employment requires an extremely high level of fitness.



(This means strenuous physical activity is an essential and regular element of your work.)


if you are going off those words regular strenuous physical activity is a regular part of a carpenters job im just quoting the ato website and seeking confirmation from the ato.

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Taxduck(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
26 Aug 2024

I would say not. You can only claim fitness related expenses as a deduction if a higher level of normal fitness is a requirement for the job. It certainly may be an advantage to be super fit, but it is not a job requirement for a carpenter to be more fit than the regular person. See link

Gym fees and fitness-related expenses | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)

Tradietax(Newbie)Newbie
26 Aug 2024

However, there are very limited circumstances where you can claim a deduction if your employment requires an extremely high level of fitness. This means strenuous physical activity is an essential and regular element of your work.


strenuous physical activity is an essential and regular part of a carpenters job, those quoted words from the link you shared would suggest that it is deductible, hence my confusion and why I'm seeking clarification from the ato.

Taxduck(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
26 Aug 2024

You may have a case if your employment contract stipulates that an extremely high level of fitness is a requirement for your employment duties.

To satisfy the ATO you would need to have factual evidence to back up your claim. For example, diary entries detailing what the duties were and how often they were undertaken where a higher level of fitness was required.

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can I claim fitness deductions as a tradie | ATO Community