However, this year will see more people looking to claim expenses for working from home than ever before, but some Griffith accountants have said changes brought about by coronavirus means people filing returns will have some new things to consider.

Partner at Roy Spagnolo and Associates Roy Spagnolo said the start of a new financial year was like "painting the Harbour Bridge" but with people beginning to file their tax returns there are some changes which people need to keep in mind when looking at what to claim.

"We got over the 30th of June and now we're starting again," Mr Spagnolo said.

"The government has brought in some simplified rules to claim deductions from working from home - over and above what the previous rules from working from home were ... all your normal claims are still entitled."

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One big change this year has come in the form of a new route for claiming expenses if you were working from home between March 1 and June 30 of this year - meaning people can now choose between three methods of calculating their working from home expenses.

Partner at Roy Spagnolo and Associates Mark Farronato said while the ATO have introduced new measures to respond to the change in circumstances, people still need to follow the basic rules put forward when claiming things in their return.

"2020 has been an extraordinary year as it is and the tax season I think is no exception," Mr Farronato said.

"People are going to have different forms of income that they've never seen before or had and because of the changes in circumstances they are going to have different expenses that they may be entitled to claim that they may not have previously been able to claim.

"The ATO still holds three rules for an item to be tax deductible - firstly, you must have spent the money and not be reimbursed, the second point is it's got to be directly related to earning income and the third one is you need to have the records to prove it."

The new method has been dubbed the 'shortcut' method and allows people to claim 80 cents per hour for all their expenses while working from home between March 1 and June 30 and is the easiest of the three methods to claim.

The fixed rate method provides a flat rate of 52 cents for each hour you work from home and also allows for separate expense claims for phone and internet usage, computer consumables and stationary as well as the decline in value on your computer - but this method requires you to keep records of the hours you worked at home or keep a four-week diary to demonstrate a regular period and pattern of working from home.

The actual expense method requires you to record the hours working, the cleaning expenses, heating, lighting and cooling expenses and the decline in value of equipment and furniture.

Mr Farronato said while the new method introduced by the ATO - allowing people to claim 80 cents per hour for their expenses while working from home between March 1 and June 30 - it may be better for those who keep good records to look at one of the other methods available to them.

"For the ATO to actually change the rules and bring this out specifically for that ... it goes to show how much everyone's lifestyles have changed," Mr Farronato said.

"A lot of people might hear that 80 cents and think 'oh that's great', but if they do the extra work and get the right advice it might be more beneficial for them to use the fixed cost or actual method."

Mr Spagnolo said those looking to file a return also need to be wary when it comes to calculating running expenses compared to occupancy expenses when working from home.

"There's a difference from occupancy costs and running costs" Mr Spagnolo said.

"If you're using a home as an office and you've got clients coming there, et cetera, you can then claim a portion of your rent, mortgage payments, but that's more running a business from home than working from home."

Mr Farronato said other changes which may people may need to keep an eye on when submitting a tax return include a provision allowing for claims to be made on gloves, sanitizers and additional cleaning products as well as the traditional group certificates becoming "a thing of the past" with end of year pay runs moving online.

One additional thing people will need to keep their eye on for their return is how much income they received through the government's JobKeeper and JobSeeker programs, with the funds received through those programs counting as taxable income.

When asked by The Area News whether they had any tips for tax time, Mr Spagnolo recommended getting your return in early and only claiming for things you are entitled to.

"Do it as soon as you can so that way you can get your refund and know where you stand," Mr Spagnolo said.

Mr Farronato said record-keeping is vitally important and also shut down a myth that the $1080 lower to middle income tax offset will be a cash in hand situation.

"A lot of people were of the understanding they were just going to get that as a refund," Mr Farronato said.

"However, it's an offset to your taxable income which is still the case this financial year ... It all depends on how much tax you pay throughout the year."

For further information regarding this year's tax return, you can either visit the Roy Spagnolo & Associates or the ATO websites.