Finance and tax

Income protection insurance

Premiums for insurance that pays assessable income-replacement benefits if you cannot work.

Who can claim

This deduction is available to individuals.

  • The premium protects against loss of assessable income and the corresponding policy benefit would be assessable.

What you cannot claim

  • Life, trauma, total and permanent disability and other capital-benefit components are not deductible.
  • Premiums paid through super are not deductible to you.
  • Do not claim a premium your employer or another party provided, paid or reimbursed; if partly reimbursed, claim only the unreimbursed eligible portion.
  • A taxable allowance does not create an income-protection deduction; the premium must independently qualify.

How the amount is worked out

Claim only the premium attributable to income-replacement cover.

Records the ATO expects

  • Policy schedule
  • Premium statement
  • Apportionment if policy is bundled

Where this rule comes from

Primary source: ATO Employees guide for work expenses (Document version dated 5 December 2025). Reviewed 30 July 2026. Covers the 2025-26 and 2026-27 income years.

Next steps