What tech should you spend your tax return on?

If you’re in line to get a tax return this year, it can be tempting to splurge it all on a tech gift for yourself or somebody else. Your choices are wide, as of course is the range of tax return you may actually get.

But if I were buying tech with my tax return, and assuming I was going to end up with more than the price of a beer sitting in my pocket, I’d try to match it to my needs as well as my wants. Those can vary too, so I’ve assembled a few wishlists to match different needs – or at least get you thinking about what you could buy.

Can I claim tax on my tech purchases?

It’s a complex subject – and to be clear, this isn’t intended as financial advice and you should always talk to a qualified financial advisor or accountant about the specifics – but if you’re buying technology that directly relates to your work you may be able to claim a percentage of its price against your taxable income in the year in which it’s purchased.

There are some differing guidelines depending on your precise profession, and you do need to be able to back up that usage if the ATO comes calling, however, in the same way that you need to keep a logbook of kilometres travelled if you’re claiming car expenses.

If you need (or want) a new mobile phone:

You’ve got plenty of choices if your smartphone is worse for wear, no matter your budget. If the taxman has been particularly kind to you and you feel like splashing out, consider the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3v. There’s simply nothing like it in the smartphone space, converting from a standard phone to a tablet display with ease.

If your return isn’t quite so hefty but you still want a premium replacement, the best bang for buck offering in Android right now is Google’s Pixel 6 Pro. It’s guaranteed to get Android updates fast and for years to come, and it’s got genuinely smart AI-led cameras that can make even novices look like pro snappers.

By the time your tax return is processed, we’ll likely be just a few short months before the arrival of the iPhone 14 series of phones. That makes the smartest long term buy for Apple enthusiasts the iPhone SE 2022 5G; it’s far more affordable than the rest of the iPhone 13 family but won’t see another update this year.

Finally, if your tax returns (or needs) are more modest, consider Motorola’s nifty but affordable Edge 20 Fusion phone, one of the best value budget phones money can buy right now.

If you want to upgrade your home office

Need a new laptop? If gaming is your passion, consider the Asus ROG Strix G15, while those with a more productive bent might prefer the Microsoft Surface Laptop or Apple MacBook Air.

If you want something a tad more portable and flexible, you could opt for an Apple iPad Air matched up with an Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air.

If Apple’s approach isn’t to your taste, you could opt for the more affordable Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 2-in-1.

If your keyboard and mouse have seen better days and you’ve got a hankering for a more ergonomic solution, consider a Microsoft Sculpt Keybard Combo. If the curved style of the Sculpt isn’t to your taste, Logitech’s G512 is a top choice at a great price.

If your laptop’s webcam just isn’t cutting it for those work Zoom calls, Logitech’s C920 HD Pro webcam could solve your videoconferencing woes. If you’re struggling to be heard in those same Zoom meetings, what you need is a better quality microphone; consider options such as the Blue Yeti USB or Blue Snowball.

Maximise your fun

You totally don’t have to spend your tax dollars on something serious with a work intent, of course.

One easy and super affordable way to make your TV smarter and more fun in one hit is with Google’s Chromecast with Google TV. This smart HDMI dongle adds a raft of new streaming apps and other fun applications to any modern TV, so even if your “smart” TV has stopped getting updates, you can keep it up to date with the latest streaming services. Apple’s take on the same idea, the Apple TV 4K is a more premium priced and slick offering, especially good if you’re also a subscriber to the Apple Arcade gaming service.

If reading is more your style, treat yourself to a new e-reader, such as the excellent Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition.

You don’t necessarily need a smartwatch, but they sure are nice to have. Apple’s Apple Watch remains the best buy for Apple iPhone users, while if you’re an Android user it’s hard to look past Samsung’s impressive Galaxy Watch 4.

If the thought of tax time makes you just want to fly away… well, we can’t entirely help you there, but you can do the next best thing with the DJI Mavic Mini 2 drone.

If you’re about to treat yourself to some new tech this tax time, why not get the setup taken care of too? Geeks2U can set up a huge number of tech devices on your behalf and get them working as intended so there are no headaches down the line. Call us now to book your service.