Every year, the ATO quietly deposits thousands of dollars back into people’s bank accounts. And every year, a surprisingly large number of Hills District residents leave a chunk of that money on the table — not because they did anything wrong, but because they simply didn’t know what they could claim.
If you’re lodging your own return or using a generalist accountant who doesn’t know the Norwest postcode from a postcode in Penrith, the chances are you’re missing something. A good tax accountant in Bella Vista doesn’t just fill in boxes — they ask you the right questions.
Here’s what’s worth knowing before you lodge this year.
Working From Home Still Counts — But the Rules Changed
The ATO revised the working from home deduction rules in 2023, and many people still haven’t caught up. The revised fixed-rate method now sits at 67 cents per hour worked from home, and it covers more expenses than before — but it also requires a proper record. A diary entry. An actual logbook. Not a rough guess.
For Hills District residents who shifted to hybrid work and set up a dedicated home office in Kellyville or Castle Hill, this deduction can be worth well over $2,000 a year. The problem is that most people either claim too little because they’re being cautious, or too much because they haven’t kept any records at all.
One of our clients in Baulkham Hills was claiming 10 hours a week when her calendar showed she was working from home closer to 25. Small detail. Significant difference.
Rental Properties: The Expenses People Forget
The Hills District has a solid base of property investors — landlords renting out townhouses in Bella Vista, units near Norwest Business Park, or older homes in Castle Hill while they’ve upgraded. If that’s you, there’s a good chance your tax return isn’t capturing everything it should.
Depreciation is the one that catches people out most often. You don’t need to buy a new appliance to claim depreciation — you can claim it on what’s already in the property. A quantity surveyor’s report, which typically costs $500-700, can unlock thousands in deductions annually. That’s not a grey area. It’s standard practice that a lot of landlords simply haven’t done.
Travel to inspect the property, agent fees, loan interest, council rates, repairs (not improvements — there’s a difference), insurance — all claimable. The individual tax return for someone with a rental in Sydney can look dramatically different depending on who prepares it.
Tradies, Health Professionals, and the Work-Related Expenses That Add Up
The Hills District has a high concentration of tradespeople — electricians, plumbers, builders working across Rouse Hill, Schofields, and surrounds — and health professionals operating out of the medical precincts around Norwest. Both groups routinely under-claim.
For a tradie, tools, work boots, safety gear, phone usage, a portion of the vehicle, and union fees are all potentially on the table. The ATO has specific rules for each, and some require a logbook, but the deductions are real. Skipping them because it feels complicated is costing you money.
For health professionals — GPs, physios, dentists around Bella Vista and Norwest — professional memberships, registration costs, and CPD training are often underclaimed. So are home office setups for admin work done outside clinic hours.
Worth asking yourself: have you actually tracked what you spent on your work this year?
The ATO’s Increased Scrutiny in 2026
The ATO has been transparent about its 2025-26 focus areas: rental property income and deductions, work-related expenses, and side income from the gig economy. If you’ve got a rental, drive for Uber on the weekends, or run a small business alongside a salaried job, your return is statistically more likely to be reviewed.
That doesn’t mean you should under-claim to fly under the radar — that’s genuinely terrible advice. It means your claims need to be documented and defensible. A registered tax agent in Norwest or Bella Vista who knows the ATO’s current posture is worth more this year than they’ve been in a long time.
The difference between a return lodged confidently and one lodged nervously is usually just preparation.
Ready to make sure your 2026 tax return works as hard as it can? Book a session with Jupiter Accountants in Bella Vista — jupitertax.com.au
