Maximising Your EOFY Tax Return with Refurbished Tech

As the end of the financial year (EOFY) approaches, most of us look for ways to maximise our tax returns. For entrepreneurs, family businesses and sole traders, this involves finding out which equipment, including tech items, you’re eligible to claim deductions on. If you’re an Australian small business owner, there’s no better time to buy work-related refurbished devices than between now and June 30.

From tradespeople to marketers to e-commerce professionals, all kinds of business owners need reliable tech devices to complete their work-related tasks. And whether you’re checking e-mails on the run, storing business data or making sure you never miss a call from a client or staff member, a decent smartphone is a business essential.  

Every year, millions of Australians claim work-related tax deductions including costs related to working from home. Claiming a tax deduction for a device doesn’t mean getting the device for free, but it does help you to reduce the amount of taxable income you owe on your EOFY tax return.

More than a regular second-hand device, a refurbished iPhone, Samsung Galaxy smartphone, laptop or tablet can easily measure up to the quality of a new one while costing several hundred dollars less. Professionally refurbished devices have been meticulously checked, tested and, if necessary, repaired to ensure they’re fully functional and meet high Australian standards.

Australia’s leading destination for refurbished devices, OzMobiles has a vast selection of refurbished Samsung phones, iPhones, Apple Macs, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices. Here’s the OzMobiles guide to how a savvy tech upgrade before June 30 can increase your EOFY tax return.

Smart Tech Upgrades Can Boost Your Next EOFY Tax Return 

As companies like Apple and Samsung continue to develop new technological innovations and AI-powered capabilities, investing in upgrades makes good business sense. Tech upgrades lead to faster, more modern services, increased security against cyber threats and improved productivity.

 

The Financial Value of Buying Refurbished Devices

There are many reasons why buying refurbished is so popular, but value for money is the main motivator.  

Save Money on the Purchase Price and potentially on Your Taxes

When you buy a refurbished iPhone, an Android smartphone or another device, you can save hundreds of dollars – sometimes over a grand – without conceding any quality. Refurbished devices come with up to 40% or more off the recommended retail price, increasing your likelihood of saving money twice: once at the point of sale and again on your tax return.

Enjoy Premium Quality without the Premium Price Tag

All OzMobiles devices go through an 80-point functional check and clean process to make sure they’re still in peak condition, with a battery life of at least 80%. Every device we sell is 100% fully functional, with a warranty included in case anything goes wrong. OzMobiles devices are sorted into categories depending on quality, from Very Good to Ex-Demo. When you buy refurbished, you can enjoy high quality flagship devices without the high price.  

Top Refurbished Upgrades for Your Work-from-Home Setup 

A work-from-home environment needs the right tools to keep you comfortable and efficient. Some of the best tech choices for your home office include:

Essential Rules for Claiming Tech on Your Australian Tax Return

You can claim tax deductions for tech items like laptops, computers and software. You can also claim mobile phones and home phone and Internet usage. To claim any kind of deduction for tech or tools, you need to meet both of the following conditions:

• You incur the cost and use the item, device or service to perform your work duties.

• You have written evidence of your expenses and a record of your work-related use of the item.

If you use your device for both work and personal reasons, you can only claim the work-related portion of your expenses.

Tracking Your Real Work-Related Usage Percentage

An exceptionally high tech-related deduction can seem suspicious, so it’s important to back up your claims. You don’t have to provide written proof of every work-related call you make with your iPhone, but you do need to keep records.

If your work-related phone or Internet use is incidental and your total claim is less than $50, you can claim a deduction without needing itemised records. If your claim is more than $50, you’ll need a record of a four-week period from some point in the tax year. If you receive an itemised phone bill, you can determine your work percentage over that four-week period and apply it to the whole year.

If you don’t receive an itemised phone bill, you can track your calls over a representative four-week period. You can then calculate your claim on a reasonable basis such as the number of work calls you’ve made as a percentage of your total calls.

The Importance of Official Tax Invoices

Unless your claim is an incidental one of $50 or less, it’s important to keep records of how often you’ve used your phone and Internet for work. These can take the form of diary entries, bills and receipts.

Tax invoices allow you to claim Goods and Services Tax (GST) on  items you’ve bought for work, as long as you have a valid tax invoice. Typically the ATO requires invoices for transactions with total sale amounts of over $82.50. According to Australian law, there are specific items that need to be included on a tax invoice such as the business name and Australian Business Number (ABN), date of issue, description of goods and total amount payable.

For technology such as laptops, tablets and office equipment, tax invoices serve as your official ATO-compliant proof of purchase. For any purchase of $82.50 or more, a tax invoice is essential to substantiate the payment and reclaim the amount of GST paid.

Ready to Maximize Your Tax Savings Before June 30? 

There’s no better time to purchase refurbished tech than the end of the financial year, and OzMobiles is Australia’s leading destination for quality refurbished devices.

Want to save money but urgently want to make sure you get your new phone before it’s time to log your EOFY tax return? OzMobiles can offer express shipping on our fully tested range of refurbished Samsung phones, iPhones and other devices.

While our free standard shipping takes 3-7 business days Australia-wide, our express shipping delivers you your device in just 1-3. We dispatch packages every Monday and Wednesday and same-day service is available to Metro Melbourne customers with most devices if you order before 2pm.

How Refurbished Tech Compares to Buying Brand New at Tax Time

The ATO lets you claim a deduction on an item regardless of whether you bought it new or refurbished; both are identical for tax purposes. Because refurbished devices are significantly cheaper than new ones, they give you the unique benefit of extra savings potential. You can take hundreds of dollars off the initial upfront cost while still reducing your tax bill.

This makes them highly effective for the $20,000 instant asset write-off. Following the 12 May 2026 Budget announcement, the Government intends to make this $20,000 threshold permanent from 1 July 2026 for small businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million, though as of mid-2026, this permanent extension is not yet law. The $20,000 limit applies on a per-asset basis, meaning you can instantly write off multiple refurbished devices. Small businesses can check their eligibility against the latest ATO standards for current asset write-offs and depreciation rules.

Upfront Upgrades vs. Long-Term Asset Depreciation

If you use a depreciating asset in your income-producing work, you can claim deductions for its decline in value as time progresses. Depreciating assets can include devices like mobile phones, tablets and styluses, and you can calculate their depreciation by using either the prime cost (straight line) method or the diminishing value method. Buying refurbished allows you to upgrade more frequently, keeping you connected to newer innovations in technology and slowing down the depreciation period. With less money immediately tied up in quickly depreciating assets, you can focus on getting ahead. 

Many small businesses are also family businesses, and growing families have been among the groups hardest hit by the cost of living. With young families already struggling under the weight of childcare, housing and growing costs, lower upfront costs (as well as the potential for higher tax refunds) provide a helpful measure of financial relief. Buying refurbished also reduces the need for credit cards, lock-in phone plans and other costs that come with purchasing new products. 

Secure Your Workspace Upgrade and Your Tax Deduction Today

You don’t have to dread the approach of tax time. The end of the financial year provides you with an opportunity to upgrade your work-from-home space and claim a deduction for your new technology on your tax return. OzMobiles makes it easy for you to buy the right refurbished iPhone, Samsung Galaxy smartphone or another device that perfectly suits your business needs.

You have until June 30 to select the smartphone, laptop, tablet or other device(s) your business needs to thrive and to claim the expenses on your 2026 tax return. OzMobiles provides you with a deal that’s perfect for you, your family or your business without having to buy brand new. Our devices are good for your pocket, good for the planet and good for your small business’s bottom line.

To find out more or for help choosing the right refurbished devices, contact the OzMobiles team.