Tradie EOFY Checklist — What to Do Before June 30

June 30 is the most important date on a tradie's financial calendar. What you do in the final weeks of the financial year can legally save you thousands in tax — and what you forget can cost you just as much. Here's your complete EOFY checklist.

What to Buy Before June 30

Any tool, equipment or business item you buy before June 30 can be claimed as a deduction in this financial year, reducing your current-year tax bill. Items bought on July 1 or later go in next year's return.

If you're planning to buy tools, a new phone, software, safety gear or any other business equipment — buy it before June 30. Even if it arrives in July, the purchase date is what matters for most items.

Make Your Super Contribution Before June 30

This is the biggest legal tax reduction most tradies ignore. As a self-employed tradie, you can contribute to super and claim the full amount as a tax deduction — up to the concessional cap of $30,000 for 2025–26.

The contribution must be received by your super fund before June 30. Don't leave it until June 29 — bank processing times mean it may not arrive in time. Lodge by June 25 to be safe.

A $15,000 super contribution for a tradie earning $100,000 saves approximately $4,875 in income tax. That money goes into your retirement account instead of the ATO's — it's still yours.

Chase Outstanding Invoices (Or Hold Them)

Cash-basis taxpayers (most small tradies) are taxed on income when they receive it, not when they invoice. This gives you some control:

• Had a high-income year? Consider delaying sending large invoices until after July 1 — that income lands in next year's return at potentially a lower rate.
• Expecting a lower income year? Chase all outstanding invoices hard before June 30 to maximise this year's income at your current lower rate.

Talk to your accountant about which strategy suits your situation — it varies by individual circumstances.

Gather All Receipts and Records

Before you send anything to your accountant, collect:

• All tool and equipment receipts for the year
• Fuel receipts and vehicle service records
• Licence and registration payment receipts
• Insurance premium notices
• Phone and internet bills (noting work-use %)
• Any training or course receipts
• Uniform and PPE purchase receipts

Using Dext throughout the year means this step is already done — everything's captured and categorised. If you've been storing paper receipts, spend a Saturday afternoon photographing them all now.

Finalise Your Vehicle Logbook

If you're using the logbook method, make sure your 12-week logbook is complete and signed. Calculate your business-use percentage and apply it to your total annual vehicle costs. Your accountant needs the logbook, total kilometres driven for the year, and all vehicle expense records.

Didn't keep a logbook this year? The cents-per-kilometre method (88c/km up to 5,000km) doesn't require one. You can switch between methods each year.

What to Give Your Accountant

→ Related: Best Receipt Tracking Apps for Australian Tradies 2026 — Dext, Hubdoc and more compared.

⚠️ Deadline approaching: $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off ends 30 June 2026 — buy eligible tools and equipment before then or lose the upfront deduction.

→ Related: Best Receipt Tracking Apps for Australian Tradies 2026 — Dext, Hubdoc and more compared.

⚠️ Deadline approaching: $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off ends 30 June 2026 — buy eligible tools and equipment before then or lose the upfront deduction.

EOFY Action Plan — What to Do Each Week in June

The 30 EOFY Checklist Items

• ☐  Reconcile all bank accounts and credit cards
• ☐  Chase all outstanding invoices — unpaid debt is not income until received (cash basis)
• ☐  Capture all outstanding receipts with Dext
• ☐  Make super contributions by 25 June (arrive before 30 June)
• ☐  Lodge Notice of Intent to Claim super deduction with your fund
• ☐  Buy and put into use any equipment under $20,000 before 30 June
• ☐  Write off any bad debts you know will never be paid
• ☐  Review vehicle logbook — is it less than 5 years old?
• ☐  Prepay any deductible expenses (insurance, subscriptions) before 30 June
• ☐  Book appointment with your accountant — do it now before they fill up

## Vehicle and Equipment Deductions — Maximise Your Claims Before June 30 Your vehicle and equipment are some of your biggest tax-deductible expenses, but only if you claim them correctly before the financial year ends. **Vehicle deductions** work two ways: the cents-per-kilometre method or the actual expenses method. For 2025–26, the ATO rate is 88 cents per kilometre. If you've been tracking your work-related kilometres in a logbook, this is straightforward — multiply your work km by 88c and claim it. However, many tradies don't keep proper records until it's too late. Here's what you need to do now: If you've kept a logbook for at least 12 weeks during the year, you can use that to calculate your average work-related use and apply it to your full annual kilometres. Even if you haven't kept one, you can still estimate based on realistic records — but you'll need to be able to justify it to the ATO. For the actual expenses method, gather receipts for fuel, servicing, repairs, tyres, registration, and insurance. This often yields better returns for high-mileage tradies. If you're a sole trader or partnership, you can claim the full running costs multiplied by your work-use percentage. If you're a company, you can claim depreciation on the vehicle itself using the diminishing value method. **Equipment and tools** are where many tradies leave money on the table. The ATO allows a $20,000 instant write-off for small business equipment purchased before June 30, 2026. This means if you buy tools, power equipment, scaffolding, or machinery under this threshold, you can claim the full cost in one year rather than depreciating it over several years. Make a list now of what you need: - New power tools or hand tools - Safety equipment (harnesses, helmets, boots) - Ladders, scaffolding, or work platforms - Software or hardware for your business - Vehicles under $20,000 (though this is rarer) If you're planning any of these purchases, do them before June 30. Even better, use accounting software like Tradify to track these expenses in real time, so you're not scrambling to find receipts in December. For equipment over $20,000, you'll need to depreciate it using the diminishing value or prime cost method. Work with your accountant to set this up correctly before June 30 so it's classed in the right asset pool from day one. ## Home Office, Subscriptions, and Hidden Deductions Most tradies remember their obvious business expenses — fuel, materials, labour — but miss the quieter deductions that still count. **Home office expenses** are significant if you run a genuine office from home. You can claim: - A portion of rent or mortgage interest (not capital gains) - Council rates (proportional) - Home and contents insurance (work area only) - Electricity and internet - Phone bills (work calls only) - Office furniture and equipment - Repairs and maintenance (office area only) The ATO allows either the fixed rate method (currently 67 cents per hour of work done from home) or the actual expense method. For the fixed rate, you need a diary showing hours worked from home. For actual expenses, calculate the percentage of your home used for work and apply that to your utility bills. If you use one room out of ten as an office, you claim 10% of relevant expenses. If you use your kitchen table, the percentage is much lower — be realistic and defensible. **Professional subscriptions and memberships** count: - Trade association memberships (Master Builders, HVAC associations, etc.) - Industry magazines and publications - LinkedIn Premium or business networking sites - Online courses related to your trade - Software subscriptions (Xero, invoicing tools, project management) - Professional indemnity insurance - Training and certification courses - Safety compliance programs Check your credit card and bank statements from the past 12 months and collect all these receipts. Many tradies forget about subscriptions they set up and forgot about, but they're still deductible. **Work-related travel and accommodation** also apply if you work away from your usual location. This includes fuel for travel to job sites, accommodation while working interstate, and meals while travelling (within limits). Don't claim everyday lunch costs, but if you're staying overnight for work, your reasonable accommodation and meal costs count. **Insurance expenses** are fully deductible: - Workers' compensation insurance - Professional indemnity insurance - Public liability insurance (through providers like BizCover) - Income protection insurance - Business vehicle insurance Make sure you have all policy renewal documents and receipts before June 30. ## Superannuation and Employee Entitlements If you employ staff or are considering salary sacrificing super, EOFY is the deadline to act. **Superannuation contributions** for employees must be paid by June 30. The 2025–26 superannuation guarantee rate is 11.5%. If you haven't paid up, do it now — late contributions attract penalties and aren't deductible. Even if cash flow is tight, this is non-negotiable. For sole traders, you can contribute up to $27,500 per financial year (includes the super guarantee you'd pay yourself). Contributions are tax-deductible, so this is legitimate tax planning. If you're earning good income, salary sacrificing super reduces your taxable income significantly. **Annual leave and long service leave** must be accrued. If an employee is entitled to leave they haven't taken, you must provision for it in your accounts. This is a liability and reduces your profit (and tax). | Deduction Type | Deadline | ATO Rate/Limit | Action Required | |---|---|---|---| | Vehicle deductions | June 30 | 88c/km or actual expenses | Finalise logbook or receipts | | Equipment write-off | June 30 | Up to $20,000 instant | Purchase before June 30 | | Super contributions (employees) | June 30 | 11.5% SG | Pay by deadline | | Home office (fixed rate) | June 30 | 67c/hour | Document home office hours | | Professional subscriptions | June 30 | Full amount | Collect all receipts | | Work-related travel | June 30 | Actual costs | Gather fuel, accommodation receipts | ---