All calculators

Media Professionals — tax deductions you can claim

For employed journalists, producers, and editors. Equipment and professional subscriptions relevant to your current beat are the main claim categories.

Help us make this tool better — are you a tax agent or accountant? Review or test this calculator and get your agency listed here.

What you can claim

  • Professional subscriptions

    News wire and industry publications relevant to your current role.

  • Camera/recording equipment

    Equipment used for work — immediate deduction if $300 or less, otherwise depreciated.

    instant write-off ≤$300, otherwise depreciation

  • Union membership

    MEAA membership.

  • Car travel to cover stories

    Travel to cover stories or assignments.

  • Home office running costs

    Running costs for remote filing.

    70c/hour fixed rate

Commonly missed deductions

People in this occupation often forget to claim these — check they apply to you.

  • Subscription-based research tools
  • A portion of a personal phone/data plan used for filing stories on the go
  • Freelance contribution costs where not reimbursed (for otherwise-employed media staff picking up shifts)

What you can't claim

  • General entertainment (streaming subscriptions) unless directly and specifically required to review/report on that content as your job

  • Ordinary clothing

  • Home-to-newsroom commuting

Records the ATO expects

  • Receipt — Equipment receipts

  • Invoice — Subscription invoices

  • Diary — Travel diary

Read the full ATO guide for Media Professionals

General information only, not tax advice — content last reviewed 01/07/2026 against ATO guidance for FY2025-26. Whether a specific expense is deductible depends on your individual circumstances; confirm with a registered tax agent or the ATO before lodging.