Tax Deduction for Printer or Scanner? 2025–26 Guide

Updated for the 2025–26 income year (tax returns lodged from 1 July 2026), with 2026–27 changes noted. Reviewed 19 October 2026.

Can I claim a printer or scanner on tax? Yes, for the work-use portion, if you bought it yourself and use it to earn your income.

1. Printers and scanners costing $300 or less

Claim the work-use portion in full in the year you buy it, provided you use it mainly to earn non-business income and it isn't part of a set (or identical items) costing more than $300 in total.

2. Costing more than $300

Claim the decline in value over the item's effective life, using the ATO's Depreciation and capital allowances tool, multiplied by your work-use percentage. If you bought it during the year, only claim for the days you held it.

Example (illustrative figures only): a $600 multifunction printer used 50% for work, with an assumed effective life of 3 years, held for the full year: $600 ÷ 3 × 50% = $100 per year (prime cost). Check the actual effective life in the ATO tool before claiming.

3. Ink, toner and paper

If you use the fixed rate method for working from home (70c per hour for 2025–26), stationery and computer consumables such as ink and paper are already included – don't claim them again. Under the actual cost method, claim the work-related portion with receipts.

4. Business owners

Eligible small businesses (aggregated turnover under $10 million) can immediately deduct the business portion of assets costing less than $20,000 under the instant asset write-off (2025–26, and permanently from 1 July 2026). Remember to claim the GST credit on your BAS if you're registered for GST.

5. What changes from 1 July 2026

Employees' depreciation claims for assets used to earn wages reduce the new $1,000 standard deduction, and new assets used mainly to earn wages can't go into a low-value pool.

Related: computers and laptops, tools and equipment.