Briefcases and satchels have more traditionally been claimed as tax-deductible

However, women will likely have to keep records that they're used for work

The tax office says women can claim some handbags as a work expense and that they are tax-deductible - sometimes.

In order to be eligible to claim a handbag as a work expense, women will need to prove the bag was used for carrying more than just personal items, possibly by keeping a logbook.

Accountants are trying to clarify how women can claim deductions after assistant tax commissioner Graham Whyte said people 'can claim a deduction for assets that are predominantly used for work purposes, such as bags and satchels used to carry work papers or electronic devices', News.com.au reported.

Women who carry laptops, mobile phones and notepads are able to claim a handbag used for work as a work expense (stock image)

While a handbag can be claimed as a work expense, it had to be proved to be predominantly used to transport relevant work items to work (stock image)

Mr Whyte also said: 'It is the use of the item rather than its description that is relevant.'

PricewaterhouseCoopers' Paul Brassil said it would be wise for women to log their use of any handbag they wished to claim as a deduction for about three months, in case the ATO conducts an audit.

The cost, size and profession of the claimant were all factors the ATO would likely consider when conducting assessments, News.com.au reported.

Those wishing to claim on handbags should keep in mind a few guidelines, Financy reported.

The ATO position on handbags is a little known one compared to its stance on briefcases and satchels (stock image)

Professional women are able to claim handbags as a work expense, like briefcases and satchels (stock image)

Accountants said handbags less than $300 could have the full amount claimed in one financial year, but over that, the item would have to be depreciated.

Whitehead Dingley and Betar partner and chartered accountant Kate Hills said for bags over that, they needed to be depreciated and claimed over a number of years.

Receipts also had to be kept for five years from purchase or last depreciation claim.

She also pointed out that buying a bag worth $2000 or more was likely to attract the attention of auditors.

Mr Brassil also advised against the tradition of shopping for work-related expense in June to make last-minute end-of-year tax claims, Financy reported.

With the likely logbook requirement, it would mean a claimant wouldn't have a record of the handbag being used for work.

He recommended buying in at least March for a three-month record of use.

Despite handbags being tax-deductible, anyone claiming them as such would likely have to keep a three-month record to prove they were used for work (stock image)

Accountants also had some advice for those who wanted to head out and buy a new handbag for work (stock image)

The Australian Financial Review earlier reported that a police officer named Ashley said she purchased a $500 handbag – one of her major work-related purchases – to take to work every day, including when she has to attend court hearings.

'When I'm going to court, I take a handbag and that's what's appropriate. It has the brief of evidence and something to write on. It still performs the same function and purpose as a man's briefcase,' she said.

Handbags should not be excluded purely for the fact that they can also be used during social outings, especially when she can claim sunglasses as an expense through her profession and use them on the weekends as well, Ashley said.

The tax law as it stood reflected the 'outdated assumption that business people will be men,' Workplace Gender Equality Agency Director Libby Lyons told the AFR.