Claiming your meal allowance as a tax deduction?

The TWU often receives calls from members wanting to know if they can claim all overtime meal allowances as a tax return.

Tax agents send out different messages that are confusing people.

The Australian Tax Office has an excellent publication titled: "Truck drivers - claiming work-related expenses."

It has a section 'Claiming Overtime Meal Expenses' which outlines who can claim, when you can claim and what you can claim.

This section applies to most transport workers regardless of whether they drive a truck or work on a loading dock.

As far as we can see the guts of the matter centres around a couple of points highlighted in the brochure which states:

If you are working overtime, you can claim a deduction for overtime meal expenses if you meet both of the following conditions:

• You purchased a meal when you worked overtime.
• You received an overtime meal allowance under an industrial award for working overtime.

Most TWU members have their meal allowances stated in their pay and conditions agreement or our awards.

How much can you claim

Each financial year the ATO sets the "Reasonable Allowance Amount"

The RAA for 2008/2009 is $23.60

Please note the amount claimed must not exceed the reasonable allowance amount without substantiation.

If your claim is more than $23.60 per meal, you will need written evidence (diarised entry, invoices etc).

An amount for overtime meals that has been included as part of your normal salary or wages is not considered to be an overtime meal allowance.

We have checked this information with our recommended tax return specialists Hewitt Turner & Gelevitis and they say it is correct

They are experts in transport industry accounting.

They understand all the implications in claiming overtime meal and other allowances and offer discounted rates to TWU members.

They are located at Suite 4, Ist Floor 63 Shepperton Road, Victoria Park. Call 9362 5855.

If you would like a copy of the ATO publication referred to above, call the TWU and we will post one out. Phone 1800 657 477.