TRUCK DRIVERS

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Truck drivers spend long hours on the road, often away from home for days at a time. Because of this, the tax rules for drivers can be different from many other jobs.

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At Tax Invest Accounting, we specialise in helping truck drivers maximise their deductions, stay compliant with the ATO, and avoid costly mistakes.

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One recent court case shows why getting professional advice matters.

The Truck Driver Who Took the ATO to Court, And Won.

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In a major tax case, Shaw v Commissioner of Taxation (2025), a long-haul truck driver successfully challenged the ATO over meal deductions.

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The driver claimed $32,782 in meal expenses while working away from home during the 2021 income year. The claim was based on the ATO’s “reasonable travel allowance amounts”.

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However, the ATO reduced his deduction to just $5,890, arguing he hadn’t provided enough receipts.

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The driver appealed to the Administrative Review Tribunal.

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The tribunal ruled in his favour and allowed the full deduction, stating that:

• The driver had genuinely incurred the expenses while earning income

• A travel allowance was paid by the employer

• The claimed amounts were within the ATO’s reasonable daily allowance limits

The tribunal even criticised the ATO’s estimate of $19 per day for meals, calling it an “absurdly inadequate amount.”

This case highlights how complex tax rules can be for truck drivers and why professional advice matters.

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