Tax deductions and accounting for tilers.
You can generally claim your tiling tools, vehicle, protective gear and materials supplied on a job against your income, provided they relate to earning it and you keep proper records. This guide covers what tilers typically claim, how GST works whether you're subcontracting or supplying tiles yourself, and how we keep your books simple. We're Brisbane based and work with tilers across Australia.
Updated July 2026 · Reviewed by the LINK Advisors team
What tilers can claim.
The deductions that matter most in your trade, in rough order of value. Every one still has to pass the ATO's tests: you paid for it, it relates to earning your income, and you can show a record.
Wet saws and cutting equipment
Tile saws, angle grinders and cutting discs used for your work are generally deductible, either claimed outright or depreciated depending on cost - check the current instant asset write-off threshold with us.
Trowels, levelling systems and hand tools
Notched trowels, tile levelling systems, spacers and other hand tools bought for tiling work are generally deductible.
Work vehicle running costs
Your ute or van used to carry tiles, adhesive and tools between jobs is generally deductible for its business-use portion under the logbook or cents-per-kilometre method.
Knee protection and respiratory gear
Knee pads, dust masks and respirators used to protect you from prolonged kneeling and cutting dust are generally deductible, and worth treating as essential kit given how much of the job is done on your knees.
Protective clothing and boots
Steel-cap boots and branded workwear are generally deductible. Plain clothes you happen to tile in aren't, even once they're permanently marked with grout.
Licensing and certification
Where your state requires a contractor licence for tiling or waterproofing work, the licensing and renewal fees are generally deductible.
Public liability insurance
Premiums for public liability and tool insurance tied to your tiling business are generally deductible.
Tile and materials for resale
Tiles, adhesive, grout and waterproofing membrane you supply on a client's job are generally deductible as a job cost, and GST applies to the price you charge for them.
Sample boards and display costs
Tile samples and display materials used to help clients choose and to win quotes are generally deductible.
Mobile phone and data
The work-use portion of your phone and data for site photos, quoting and coordination is generally deductible.
GST and BAS, without the headaches.
Tiling jobs commonly mix labour with tiles, adhesive and waterproofing membrane you supply yourself, so GST applies to the full invoiced price of those materials including your markup, not just your margin over cost. Keep supplier invoices matched to each job so your GST credits line up cleanly.
If you're subcontracting to builders or bathroom renovation companies rather than quoting clients directly, your invoicing is usually simpler, GST inclusive on your labour and any materials you personally supply, with the head contractor handling the rest.
Whether you're the one paying other tilers for overflow work, or being paid as a subcontractor yourself, a Taxable Payments Annual Report is likely to be in the picture somewhere. We prepare this from your Xero data each year, whichever side of it you're on.
Sole trader, company or trust?
Tiling in wet areas carries genuine waterproofing and defect risk, leaks and failed waterproofing membranes are expensive to fix and often sit under warranty periods, so it's worth reviewing your structure earlier than you might for a lower-risk trade, particularly once you're running your own jobs rather than subcontracting. Plenty of tilers, especially subcontractors working under a builder's insurance, do perfectly well as sole traders early on. The right time to move to a company usually tracks with taking on your own direct clients and carrying more of the warranty risk yourself.
Run the jobs, we run the numbers.
Job apps like Tradify or ServiceM8 help you quote by area, track materials against each job and invoice from site, connecting into Xero so your job costing reflects what a job actually cost in tiles, adhesive and time. Getting this set up properly matters more in tiling than it looks, since materials cost can swing a lot job to job depending on tile size and wastage.
Frequently asked questions.
Can I claim my wet saw and other tiling tools?
Yes, generally. Wet saws, levelling systems and other tools used for your tiling work are deductible, either claimed outright or depreciated depending on their cost. Keep the receipt and a note that it's used for work.
Can I claim my work vehicle?
Generally yes, for the business-use portion, under the logbook or cents-per-kilometre method, in the same way as most other trades carrying tools and materials between jobs.
Do I charge GST on the tiles I supply?
If you're GST registered, yes, on the full price you charge for the tiles, adhesive and grout including any markup, not just your margin over what you paid your supplier.
Should I be a sole trader or set up a company?
Given the waterproofing risk in wet-area tiling, it's worth reviewing this earlier than some lower-risk trades, particularly once you're running your own client base rather than subcontracting under a builder. We'll look at your risk and growth plans before recommending either way.
Can I claim knee pads and dust masks?
Yes, knee protection and respiratory gear used to protect you on the job are generally deductible, given how physically demanding tiling is on your knees and lungs over a career.
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