We all love a refund. And when tax time rolls around, the dream is always the same: “How can I get more back?”
The truth is, most Aussies miss out on hundreds — sometimes thousands — simply because they didn’t know what they could claim, or left it too late to get organised. This guide will show you seven simple, legal ways to maximise your tax refund in 2025 — without raising any red flags with the ATO.
- Understand How Tax Refunds Actually Work
Your refund isn’t a gift — it’s just the ATO giving back what you overpaid. Throughout the year, your employer withholds tax from your pay based on estimates. If your actual deductions bring your taxable income down, the ATO owes you the difference.
So the more legitimate expenses you can claim, the lower your taxable income — and the bigger your potential refund.
- Claim Every Legitimate Deduction You’re Entitled To
Sounds obvious, right? But many Australians don’t realise how many everyday work-related expenses are deductible:
Phone and internet (work-use portion)
Home office running costs (via 70¢ per hour or actual expenses)
Union or membership fees
Work-related travel and mileage
Equipment, tools, and uniforms
Self-education and short courses
You don’t need to claim everything manually. Ezyiah helps track your spending and flags deductions automatically — so you never miss a cent.
- Keep a Log of Work-From-Home Hours
Since the ATO changed the WFH deduction to 70¢ per hour, they now require a proper log — not just a rough guess.
Use a digital timesheet, calendar, or tracking app
You’ll need to keep records like hours worked and related costs throughout the year
No log = no claim. And this deduction adds up quickly.
Since the ATO changed the WFH deduction to 70¢ per hour, they now require a proper log — not just a rough guess.
Use a digital timesheet, calendar, or tracking app
Or let Ezyiah keep tabs on your WFH schedule throughout the year
No log = no claim. And this deduction adds up quickly.
- Don’t Wait Until June to Track Expenses
If you scramble every EOFY to find receipts, you’re probably missing out. Instead, log deductions as you go. You’ll:
Remember more accurately
Avoid errors
Be less stressed in July
Ezyiah allows you to upload images of receipts and sort them into deduction categories — a much easier option than spreadsheets or paperwork piles.
If you scramble every EOFY to find receipts, you’re probably missing out. Instead, log deductions as you go. You’ll:
Remember more accurately
Avoid errors
Be less stressed in July
Ezyiah automates this by letting you scan receipts, categorise expenses, and store everything securely — no spreadsheet needed.
- Remember the Easy-to-Forget Deductions
Some of the best deductions are the ones people forget:
Tax agent fees from last year’s return
Donations to registered charities (over $2)
Interest on business or investment loans
Protective items (sunglasses, masks, steel-capped boots)
If you’ve spent it to help earn your income, there’s a good chance you can claim it — as long as you have a record.
- Don’t Over-Claim (It Will Cost You Later)
We all want a bigger refund — but guessing deductions, inflating claims, or fudging work use percentages can get you audited. And the ATO is watching.
They use data matching from:
Employers
Banks
Uber, AirBnB, Etsy, PayPal, crypto exchanges
Instead, stay honest and consistent. Ezyiah helps by tracking real figures over time — not estimates — so your claims are accurate and audit-safe.
- Use Ezyiah to Find (and Prove) More Claims
Let’s be honest — most people aren’t tax experts. And that’s okay.
Ezyiah acts like your personal AI tax assistant. It:
Detects eligible expenses in real time
Allows you to upload receipts and organises them by category
Prepares reports for myTax or your accountant
So when July 1 rolls around, you don’t just hit “submit” — you hit it with confidence.
Final Word
The best way to maximise your tax refund isn’t to cheat the system — it’s to work with it.
If you keep good records, claim what’s fair, and stay consistent, the ATO has no issue giving you back what you’re owed. But if you’re tired of spreadsheets, guesswork, and last-minute chaos — let Ezyiah take over.
Smart claims. Bigger refund. Less stress. That’s how you win tax time.