Let’s cut straight to the chase – you’re here because you’ve just paid a few hundred dollars to tint your car windows, and you’re wondering if you can claim it on your tax return. I get it. When you’re using your car for work, every expense feels like it should be deductible, right?

Here’s the truth: No, you cannot claim window tinting as a tax deduction in Australia. Not for your personal car, not for your commercial vehicle, not even if you’re an Uber driver clocking up thousands of business kilometres each month.

I know that’s not what you wanted to hear. But stick with me, because while you can’t claim that tinting, there are legitimate ways to maximise your car expense deductions that many people completely overlook.

Why Window Tinting Isn’t Deductible (Even Though It Feels Like It Should Be)

The ATO is pretty clear on this one. Window tinting is classified as a “capital improvement” – something that enhances your vehicle beyond its original condition. It’s lumped in with things like paint protection, fancy sound systems, and performance modifications [1].

Think of it this way: repairs restore your car to its original state (deductible for business use), while improvements make it better than it was (not deductible). Your car didn’t come with tinted windows from the factory, so adding them is an improvement, not a repair.

I learned this the hard way a few years back when I was doing some contract work that had me driving all over Sydney. I’d tinted my windows thinking it was a no-brainer business expense – after all, I was protecting myself from UV rays during all those hours on the road, right? My accountant had to break the bad news: the ATO doesn’t care about your reasoning. An improvement is an improvement.

What You CAN Claim: Your Real Options for Car Expense Deductions

Now for the good news. While that money you spent on window tinting isn’t deductible, you’ve got two solid methods for claiming your legitimate car expenses:

Option 1: The Cents Per Kilometre Method

This is the simplest approach. For the 2024-25 financial year, you can claim 88 cents for every business kilometre you drive, up to a maximum of 5,000km. That’s a potential deduction of up to $4,400 – probably more than you spent on that tinting anyway.

Perfect for: People who use their car for work occasionally or have a short commute to different work sites.

What you need: Just a reasonable estimate of your business kilometres. The myDeductions app from the ATO makes this dead easy.

Option 2: The Logbook Method

If you’re driving more than 5,000 business kilometres a year, this method could save you serious money. You track your business use percentage over 12 weeks, then apply that percentage to all your car expenses for up to five years.

Perfect for: Regular Uber drivers, tradies, sales reps, or anyone putting serious business kilometres on their car.

What you can claim:

  • Fuel and oil
  • Registration and insurance
  • Servicing and repairs (but not improvements!)
  • Depreciation
  • Interest on car loans
  • Cleaning

Special Note for Uber Drivers and Rideshare Workers

If you’re driving for Uber, DiDi, or any rideshare service, you’re probably using the logbook method already. Good move – most full-time rideshare drivers hit 80-95% business use, which means you can claim that percentage of nearly all your car expenses.

Just remember: you need to register for GST regardless of your income (even if you’re earning under $75,000), and yes, window tinting still isn’t deductible. Focus on tracking those legitimate expenses instead.

What About Home Office Window Tinting?

Working from home and thinking about tinting your home office windows? Sorry, same story. The ATO considers this a “considerable improvement to your property” and won’t let you claim it as a home office expense.

Instead, use the 70 cents per hour method for home office expenses, or track your actual costs like electricity and internet. These add up faster than you might think.

Your Action Plan: Start Maximising Your Legitimate Deductions Today

Here’s exactly what you should do right now:

This Week:

  • Download the myDeductions app from the ATO
  • Start tracking every business kilometre
  • Keep receipts for all car expenses (fuel, servicing, registration, insurance)

Next 12 Weeks (if choosing logbook method):

  • Complete a proper logbook recording all trips
  • Note the odometer reading at the start and end
  • Record the purpose of each business trip
  • Calculate your business use percentage

Ongoing:

  • Keep all records for five years
  • Review which method gives you the better deduction each year
  • Stay focused on legitimate expenses that actually count

The Bottom Line

Look, I know it’s frustrating when something that seems like a legitimate business expense isn’t deductible. But rather than dwelling on that window tinting cost, channel that energy into maximising the deductions you can legally claim.

Most people leave money on the table because they don’t track their business kilometres properly or they stick with the cents per kilometre method when the logbook method would save them thousands. Don’t be one of them.

The real win isn’t finding creative ways to claim non-deductible expenses – it’s being systematic about claiming everything you’re legitimately entitled to. Trust me, when you do this properly, you’ll likely save far more than the cost of that window tinting anyway.

Remember: the ATO has sophisticated data-matching systems these days. Trying to claim window tinting might trigger an audit, and that’s a headache nobody needs. Stick to the legitimate deductions, keep good records, and sleep easy knowing you’re doing everything by the book.

Got questions about which method would work best for your situation? Chat to your accountant or tax agent – they’ve seen it all and can help you maximise your legitimate deductions without crossing any lines. Want to speak to a professional about window tinting? Give the team at EverClear Window Tinting a call today!

Sources:

[1] – https://www.ato.gov.au/