Is my website tax deductible?

There’s a solid chance you’re spending money on your website, your hosting, your logo, your SEO, and not claiming any of it.

Most small business owners know their website is probably tax-deductible. What they don’t realise is how much else qualifies alongside it. Domain names, blog writing, graphic design, email marketing tools, and even their social media presence – yes, a surprising amount of your digital spending is claimable. The trick is knowing how to categorise it.

With June 30 coming up fast, here’s what the ATO says, what you can claim, and what’s worth getting off your to-do list before the financial year closes.

Quick disclaimer: we’re web and marketing people, not accountants. This is a general guide based on ATO Taxation Ruling. Always check with your accountant before lodging.

1. How the ATO categorises website costs

The ATO splits business spending into two buckets: capital and revenue. Think of it this way – your Netflix subscription is revenue; buying the TV is capital.

• Revenue expenses: regular, ongoing costs are claimable in full in the year you pay them
• Capital expenses: one-off investments that build or improve your business. These depreciated over time, or potentially claimed in full under the instant asset write-off scheme (check thresholds with your accountant)

Both are claimable. The category just determines when and how. 

2. What’s claimable as a revenue expense

These are your regular, ongoing digital costs. If you’re paying for these already, you may be able to claim them this financial year.

Website hosting

Annual or monthly hosting fees are a straightforward revenue deduction. Managed hosting included.

Domain name registration and renewal

Both your initial registration and annual renewal fees are deductible as revenue expenses.

Website edits, updates and new pages

Content updates, new service pages, layout tweaks, bug fixes, plugin updates – anything that keeps your existing site running rather than fundamentally rebuilding it is generally a revenue expense.

Blog writing and copywriting

Regularly published content – blog posts, news updates, service page rewrites – these are generally a revenue expense. It’s part of operating your business, not building a new asset.

SEO and online marketing

Ongoing SEO work, Google Ads management, search engine marketing – recurring digital marketing costs are generally deductible as revenue expenses. Getting your SEO sorted before June 30 may mean you can claim it this financial year.

Software subscriptions

Monthly or annual software subscriptions – your website platform fees, email marketing tools, scheduling apps, and design tools are revenue expenses.

Email marketing platform fees

Your email marketing platform subscription is a deductible business expense. If you’ve been thinking about getting started with email marketing, doing it before June 30 means your first payment may be claimable this year.

Tax time tip: if any of these services renew quarterly or annually, check whether prepaying before June 30 brings the deduction into this financial year. Ask your accountant.

3. What’s claimable as a capital expense

Capital expenses are bigger investments. They’re still claimable, just over a longer timeframe, or potentially in full under the instant asset write-off scheme if your business is eligible.

New website build or full redesign

Building a brand new site, or a full redesign that significantly upgrades what you had, is generally a capital expense. Still very much claimable, your accountant will advise on the best approach for your situation.

Logo design and branding

A new logo or brand identity is a capital asset – something your business owns long-term. Claimable, just categorised differently to your day-to-day costs.

New website functionality

Adding an online shop, booking system, automated quote forms or other significant new features is generally capital expenditure – you’re improving the profit-yielding structure of the business.

Your social media presence

This one surprises people. The ATO considers your social media presence a capital asset of your business, separate from your website. Costs associated with building or significantly enhancing it may be treated as capital expenditure.

4. Other digital costs you might be missing

A few more things worth flagging to your accountant:

• Google Business Profile optimisation – time spent or paid for managing your GBP may be claimable
• QR code tools and services – if you’re using dynamic QR codes for marketing, those platform costs may be deductible
• Stock image subscriptions – tools like Adobe Stock, Shutterstock or Canva Pro
• Accounting software subscriptions – yes, even your bookkeeping tool
• Online courses and training related to your business – including marketing or digital skills courses

5. Your EOFY digital checklist

Things worth getting done, and invoiced, before June 30. Tick off what applies to your business, then send it to your accountant.

☐  Website edits, new pages or content updates

☐  Full website redesign or platform migration

☐  Logo design or brand refresh

☐  SEO setup or an ongoing SEO package

☐  Blog writing or ghost blogging setup

☐  New website functionality (shop, booking, quote forms)

☐  Hosting and domain renewals (prepaying may help)

☐  Email marketing platform setup or subscription

☐  Google Business Profile updates

☐  Software subscriptions (Canva, scheduling tools, etc)

Even if the work isn’t finished by June 30, getting the invoice issued before then may be enough. Check with your accountant on what applies to your situation.