What expenses can bloggers and content creators in Australia legitimately claim as tax deductions?

Bloggers and content creators can claim deductions for items directly related to their income-earning activities. Common deductible expenses include: equipment (cameras, microphones, computers), software and subscriptions, home-office running costs (internet, electricity) when used for business, website hosting and domain fees, marketing and promotion, and professional services (accounting, editing). These expenses must be substantiated and clearly related to the business.

What are the key tax pitfalls content creators should avoid in Australia?}

Key pitfalls include: treating hobby income as business income (which may prevent deductions), failing to declare non-cash benefits or barter arrangements, claiming private or domestic expenses (like everyday clothing, general meals, personal travel) as business deductions, and under-reporting income from overseas platforms. Also, creators whose turnover exceeds the GST registration threshold must register for GST. Accurate records and a clear business purpose are essential.

‍

Tax Deductions for Bloggers and Content Creators in Australia: 2024 Guide to Maximising Your Refund

‍

👉 Trinity Accounting Practice
✅ Accounting Firm in Beverly Hills
☎️ 02 9543 6804
📍 159 Stoney Creek Road Beverly Hills NSW 2209
🌐 www.trinitygroup.com.au
📅 Weekend & after-hours appointments available!
📅 Booking Link: https://calendly.com/ramy-hanna

Business Expenses: Know the Basics

If you're earning income from content creation, you're running a business—even if you don't feel like one yet.
This means you're eligible to claim a wide range of expenses, provided they're directly related to generating income.

Website & Hosting Costs

If you run a blog or website that earns revenue, every dollar you spend maintaining it may be deductible.
You Can Claim:

Website hosting fees
Domain name registration
SSL certificate costs
Themes and plugins (WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace)
Premium templates and coding services
Website development or redesign costs
Outsourced SEO audits and website speed optimisation

Content Production Costs

Creating great content takes time and money—fortunately, most of it is claimable.
Deductible Production Expenses:

Cameras (DSLR, mirrorless, GoPro)
Tripods, microphones, ring lights
Green screens or backdrops
Memory cards, hard drives
Editing software (Final Cut Pro, Adobe Suite, Canva Pro)
Props used in photo/video shoots
Subscriptions to editing or productivity tools

📌 Items over $300 must be depreciated unless eligible for instant asset write-off.

Advertising and Promotion

If you're paying to grow your reach or boost your brand, it counts.
Claimable Advertising Costs:

Google Ads
Meta (Facebook and Instagram) promotions
Pinterest ads or LinkedIn sponsored posts
Email marketing software (Mailchimp, ConvertKit)
Influencer collaborations
Sponsored giveaways and prize costs

Home Office Deductions

If you blog or create content from home, you can claim a portion of your home expenses.
Options:

Fixed Rate (67c/hour) for electricity, phone, internet
Actual Cost Method for detailed utility breakdowns
Depreciation on desks, lighting, printers, storage

📝 Keep a 4-week diary to estimate time spent on work-related tasks.

Internet, Phone, and Subscriptions

Content creators are always online—so the ATO allows you to claim your digital life, in part.
Claimable Items:

Internet costs (percentage used for work)
Mobile phone bills (based on work use)
Work apps like Grammarly, Notion, Slack
Stock photo/video subscriptions
Scheduling platforms

Freelancers, Contractors, and Assistants

Do you outsource editing, writing, or admin work? That’s a business expense.
You Can Claim:

Virtual assistant fees
Video editors, copywriters, content strategists
Graphic designers
Community managers
Photographer or drone operators

Education and Upskilling

If you're taking courses that help you grow or monetise your content, they may be deductible.
Deductible Study:

SEO, copywriting, content marketing
Video production training
Online certifications or webinars
E-books and guides directly related to work

🚫 General education unrelated to your content is not claimable.

Travel Expenses

Did you travel to an event, photo shoot, or brand collab opportunity?
Deductible Travel Costs:

Flights, accommodation
Public transport, rideshare
Meals during business travel
Mileage if driving to content shoots

🧾 Document the business purpose of your travel and keep receipts.

Gifts, Samples, and Business Promotions

Giveaways and brand reputation-building can qualify as marketing.
You May Claim:

Prizes for contests and giveaways
Branded merchandise
Sample products
Postage and packaging for giveaways

🛑 Gifts for family or friends are not deductible.

Accounting, Legal, and Bank Fees

Being a blogger doesn’t mean you can’t claim professional support.
You Can Claim:

Tax agent and accountant fees
Legal advice
Bank fees
PayPal/Stripe fees
Xero or QuickBooks

💡 Trinity Accounting Practice can help automate and organise all of this for you.

ABN, GST, and Business Structure for Bloggers

If your blogging income exceeds $18,200 annually, you must report it. If you're over $75,000, you must register for GST.
We help you:
✅ Apply for an ABN
✅ Register for GST
✅ Set up a sole trader, partnership, or company
✅ Lodge BAS and income tax
✅ Keep records to satisfy the ATO

What Bloggers Can’t Claim

🚫 Clothes worn in videos (unless branded or safety-related)
🚫 Haircuts or grooming
🚫 Rent, unless you have a clearly defined home office
🚫 Entertainment subscriptions unless clearly work-related
🚫 Personal travel or lifestyle purchases

Case Study – Chloe the Lifestyle Blogger

Chloe runs a personal development blog and earns from affiliate links, ads, and e-books.
What She Claimed:

Home internet and office desk
DSLR camera and lens
ConvertKit, Canva Pro, Grammarly
Travel to a blogging conference
Facebook ads
Accountant fees and insurance

💰 Chloe saved over $4,600 in tax after her first consultation with Trinity.

Record-Keeping Tips for Bloggers

📁 Save receipts and invoices
📒 Track income/expenses in Xero or Google Sheets
📱 Use apps like Expensify
📷 Keep visual records of props and tech
🧮 Book quarterly reviews with your accountant

Why Bloggers Choose Trinity Accounting

We support bloggers and creators with:
✅ Tax returns and BAS lodgement
✅ Deduction strategies tailored for content creators
✅ Website and ad tracking
✅ Practical advice, not jargon

Book Your Blogger Tax Session Today

👉 Trinity Accounting Practice
✅ Accounting Firm in Beverly Hills
📍 159 Stoney Creek Road Beverly Hills NSW 2209
☎️ 02 9543 6804
🌐 www.trinitygroup.com.au
📅 Booking Link: https://calendly.com/ramy-hanna

📌 Learn more about what we offer: www.trinitygroup.com.au/services
📌 Explore the industries we specialise in: www.trinitygroup.com.au/niches
📌 Read more tips: www.trinitygroup.com.au/explore-learn

🌐 Our Virtual CFO division, VCFO Australia, provides strategic financial management, budgeting,forecasting, and compliance support for growing businesses andnot-for-profits: https://www.vcfoaus.au/

📌 Learn more about whatwe offer:
https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/services

📌 Discover the industries we specialise in:
https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/niches

📌 Read more tax and accounting tips on our blog:
https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/explore-learn

📌 Our mortgage brokeage division, Nexus Wealth Partners Pty Ltd clients with home loans, refinancing and business finance
https://nexuswealth.au/

‍