Smart Ways to Reduce Your Taxable Income as a Dental Professional
Whether you’re a dentist, dental assistant, dental hygienist, or dental technician, knowing what you can legally claim on your tax return can make a big difference to your refund. With rising business and professional costs, it’s essential to understand which work-related expenses are tax-deductible and how to document them properly.
Employment Profile
- Average weekly pay: $2,242.50
- Employment size: 51,345
- Future growth: Very strong
- Skill level: Bachelor degree or higher
Common Tax Deductions for Dentists & Dental Assistants:
- Motor vehicle travel to and from work if employed by agencies with shifting places of work – working at more than one site each day before returning home.
- Motor vehicle travel between hospitals and dental clinics.
- Phone and internet – work %.
- Overnight travel expenses attending dental conferences, seminars, and training courses – includes airfares, accommodation, meals, and incidentals.
- Compulsory work uniform branded with the employers logo.
- Overtime meals – if paid a meal allowance under an Industrial Award.
- Self-education expenses – must be related to the current job.
- Magazines, books and journals related to dentistry.
- Agency commissions and agency fees.
- Union fees, annual practising certificate fees, licences, and subscriptions.
- Computers, tools and equipment.
- Home office running expenses.
- Professional memberships.
Not-Deductible Expenses:
- Upfront fees, joining fees or search fees paid to an agency.
- Vaccinations.
Tax Strategies we can assist you with.
- Overtime meal expenses
- Self-education expenses
- Overseas conferences, courses and study tours
- Computers, tools, equipment and other assets
- Compulsory work uniform
- Union fees, licences, registrations and subscriptions
- Phone and internet
- Motor vehicle expenses: cents per km method
- Home office running expenses
- Overnight travel expenses
Click here to see Tax Calculator for Dentists and Dental Assistants.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I claim dental equipment bought personally for clinic use?
Yes, if the equipment is used solely for work and not reimbursed by your employer. Larger purchases (over $300) must be claimed over time via depreciation. - Can dental assistants claim uniform and PPE?
Absolutely. If your employer requires you to wear branded clothing or specific protective gear like gloves and masks, those costs are deductible. - What if I work at multiple dental clinics in one day?
Travel between these locations is claimable. Keep a logbook or use a reliable mileage tracker app for accuracy. - Can I claim dental magazines or journals?
Yes—so long as they directly relate to your work and are not purely general interest. - Is the cost of agency commissions deductible for dental temps?
Yes. Agency and placement commissions are deductible, but joining or search fees are not.
