What documents do you want to save for the ATO

What documents do you want to save for the ATO

Current on: 11 August 2025

Short conclusion

The ATO requires taxpayers to keep all evidence related to taxable gambling income for a minimum of 5 years. The documents must clearly record the amounts, dates, sources and details of transactions, as well as confirmation of the exchange rate for cryptocurrency winnings.

1. Main categories of documents

1. 1. Win confirmations

Emails from the casino or bookmaker about the payout.
Official receipts, checks or screenshots indicating the amount.
Agreements or conditions for holding tournaments if the winnings are received within the framework of the competition.

1. 2. Transaction history

Statements from the casino account or betting platform.
Bank statements with credits and debits.
Payment service logs (PayID, POLi, BPAY, crypto exchanges).

1. 3. Cryptocurrency data (if applicable)

Record of the cryptocurrency rate in AUD at the time of winning.
Addresses of sending and receiving wallets.
Blockchain transaction confirmation (TxID).

1. 4. Expense documents (for professional players)

Tournament receipts.
Transport and hotel checks.
Subscriptions to analytical services or specialized software.

2. Storage requirements

Minimum shelf life: 5 years from the date of filing the tax return.
Format: paper or electronic (scans, PDF, uploads).
Documents must be easy to read and contain the date, amount and source of the transaction.

3. Why do you need it

Confirmation of the legality of the source of income.
Correct tax calculation (including Capital Gains Tax for cryptocurrency).
The ability to justify the status of a player (amateur or professional).
Protection in case of tax audit or AUSTRAC request.

4. Recommendations

Use a separate folder or cloud storage for game transactions.
Save screenshots immediately after receiving a win or making a transfer.
When converting currencies - fix the rate and commission.
For cryptocurrency - keep a separate accounting file with dates, courses and TxID.

Conclusion

The full package of winning documents is a guarantee of transparency before the ATO and protection in case of verification. Even if there is no tax payable, storing evidence will help prove the legality of transactions and avoid unnecessary questions from the tax office and banks.