Tool allowance

[Brainflex]

Hi folks, hope someone can help. I recently changed jobs ( I am a auto technician) and at my last place received a tool and boot allowance. I was told this was a government/tax allowance but at my new place have received neither. Can anyone tell me what (if anything ) I am entitled to before I have a word with the boss. This may seem a strange question but I am a Pom immigrant.
Thanks

[Ixion]

You are not *entitled* to anything. Employers by trade custom may make an allowance for tools or clothing (basically, if you supply your own it saves them having to provide it, so they pay you an allowance. ) It's usually a taxable allowance. Otherise, nothing to do with the government.

Ask your boss nicely what his practice is. Or check your contract (You did get a contract , didn't you ? )

[Edbear]

Legal eagles may correct me on this, but as far as I am aware, they are at the discretion of the employer. Having said that, most garages I dealt with in my four years with SULCO, did give their mechanics a tool allowance.

With the demand for mechanics as it is, it would be a smart employer who did so, IMHO.

I would certainly ask the boss about it.

[_Gina_]

It's a must for any employer in your trade, who wants to retain staff that speak english as a first language, can diagnose faults and are qualified automotive engineers.

It isn't law though.

Some choose not to give an allowance and pay for boots annually to a certain value, these employers normally pay a good hourly rate to cover your tools, but will have a good selection of shop tools available.

[Motu]

Check your contact - most auto employers use the MTA contract,which is based on the old Engineers Union rules.The tool allowance will be in there as a non taxable allowance as it always was....if it's their own contract it possibly won't have tool allowance,and they don't have to have it.Just do your own tool money....give yourself $10 a week to save up and buy the tools you need.....and then spend it on beer like I do.

[Brainflex]

Thanks for the replies folks. I only started on Monday and am getting my contract on monday. Glad to know where I stand.

[Weaver]

Speaking for myself, my tool allowance is a non taxable payment.
If your employer isn't prepared to pay you for the use of your tools, don't use them. Demand that the employer supply some. Why should you have to fit the bill for the wear and tear on your tools?

[Grub]

If your employer isn't prepared to pay you for the use of your tools, don't use them. Demand that the employer supply some. Why should you have to fit the bill for the wear and tear on your tools?

Not being in a trade, this is something new to me and a very very weird thing it is too.

There is an IRD ruling formulated around the issue of whether a worker is an "Employee" or a "Contractor". One of the tests is whether the worker suppies their own tools of trade. If they do (with a couple of other qualifications), they could be a contractor. There's a whole bunch of employment case law around this but I won't bore you with the details.

In every other field of employment, the employer is required to provide the tools of trade (computer, phone, desk etc etc). Nowhere can I find anything that okays an employee providing their own tools of trade! Weaver has it right. If this is a 'convenient practice' that has crept in over the years, it is wrong.

If he insists on you using your own tools, then you would have a case before the Employment Court and you would win. Jeez, there's some ferked up employers who still need sorting out ... and that's from a fairly right-wing Grub I might add.

[scott411]

interesting thread, i have always been told that tool allowences are taxable,

it is law that the workshop must provide saftey gear including boots, some people do it by buying workboots, and some do it buy a allowence,

[Howie]

Not being in a trade, this is something new to me and a very very weird thing it is too.

In every other field of employment, the employer is required to provide the tools of trade (computer, phone, desk etc etc). Nowhere can I find anything that okays an employee providing their own tools of trade! Weaver has it right. If this is a 'convenient practice' that has crept in over the years, it is wrong.

If he insists on you using your own tools, then you would have a case before the Employment Court and you would win. Jeez, there's some ferked up employers who still need sorting out ... and that's from a fairly right-wing Grub I might add.

The employee supplying his own hand tools is not a new practice that has crept in, it has existed in most core trades(Electrical , Plumbing, Mechanics, Fitters, Builders, Panel beaters, etc) for many decades. Going back in tax law history when I first started in an engineering trade in the early 1980's you were able to claim the tax back on any tooling you brought for the purpose of using it in your employment, Once that was removed any tool allowance for maintenance of tools being paid was made a tax free allowance. when I was working on the tools every employer I worked for in the engineering industry over the last 25+ years has paid a tool allowance except one, who strangly enough I was sub contracting to and he insisted on supplying all tooling. These days it depends on the employment contract that you negotiate if you get an allowance or not, and also if as a tradesperson you are expected to supply your own hand tools. The issue of the supply of Personal Protective equipment (Safety boots, overalls, safety glasses, earmuffs, etc) is a seperate issue, and in my opinion should be provided by the employer.

[stify]

If he insists on you using your own tools, then you would have a case before the Employment Court and you would win. Jeez, there's some ferked up employers who still need sorting out ... and that's from a fairly right-wing Grub I might add.

that pretty much covers most workshop's in the country atm....

[stify]

Speaking for myself, my tool allowance is a non taxable payment.
If your employer isn't prepared to pay you for the use of your tools, don't use them. Demand that the employer supply some. Why should you have to fit the bill for the wear and tear on your tools?

funny thing is, I havn't taken my tools back to work after a little break last year and nothing has been said....yet

[scott411]

If he insists on you using your own tools, then you would have a case before the Employment Court and you would win. Jeez, there's some ferked up employers who still need sorting out ... and that's from a fairly right-wing Grub I might add.

what world do you live in, providing your own basic tools is part of the job and will be written into most mechaincs contracts, youy will find that most employers will have either a tool allowence, and provide insurance for tools left onsite, as well as this their will be special tools owned by the employer as well, such

[stify]

providing your own basic tools is part of the job and will be written into most mechaincs contracts, youy will find that most employers will have either a tool allowence, and provide insurance for tools left onsite, as well as this their will be special tools owned by the employer as well, such

I havn't had a tool allowance (tax free) for a number of years and as far as insurance goes I've seen pretty crap levels of coverage for the required tool package some employers require..

[HRT]

interesting thread, i have always been told that tool allowences are taxable,

it is law that the workshop must provide saftey gear including boots, some people do it by buying workboots, and some do it buy a allowence,

Thats pretty much how I thought it worked too