Free calculator · Current rates
Vehicle claim calculator
Work out your business-use percentage, compare both methods, and see exactly what twelve weeks of log book records is worth to you.
Is the log book method worth the effort?
Almost always, if you drive more than about 5,000 work kilometres. Cents per kilometre is capped at 5,000 km per car per year — roughly $4,400 at the current 88c rate — regardless of how much you actually drive. The log book method applies your business-use percentage to all running costs including fuel, servicing, insurance, registration, interest and depreciation, and for a tradesperson or mobile business it routinely produces two to three times more. Twelve consecutive weeks of records covers you for five years.
- Cents per km capped at 5,000 km
- Log book: 12 consecutive weeks, valid 5 years
- Log book applies to all running costs
- Cars are subject to a depreciation cost limit
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Book a free consultationWhich trips count as work travel
Claimable: between two workplaces in a day; from your workplace to a client or site; carrying bulky tools that can't be stored securely at work; from home when home is genuinely your base of operations; and to an alternative workplace rather than your usual one.
Not claimable: ordinary home-to-work travel to a regular workplace, however long the drive or early the start. This is the single most commonly overstated deduction in Australia, and it's precisely where ATO reviews concentrate.
Keeping a log book that survives review
Date, odometer start and finish, kilometres, and the purpose of each trip — for twelve consecutive weeks that fairly represent your year. Use an app rather than a paper book, and record purpose properly: "site visit, 42 Lexey Cres" holds up; "work" does not. Then keep odometer readings at 1 July and 30 June each year.
Full detail in our vehicle deductions guide.
| Cents per kilometre | Log book | |
|---|---|---|
| Records required | Reasonable basis for kilometres | 12 consecutive weeks of trips |
| Maximum claim | 5,000 km per car | No cap — business-use % of all costs |
| Receipts needed | No | Yes, for running costs |
| Valid for | Each year | Five years |
| Covers depreciation | Included in the rate | Claimed separately at business-use % |
| Best for | Occasional work travel | Trades, mobile services, high work km |
FAQ
Questions about this calculator.
What is the cents per kilometre rate?
The rate is set each income year — currently 88 cents per kilometre, capped at 5,000 work kilometres per car. Confirm the rate for your specific income year, as it's adjusted periodically.
Can I claim two cars?
Yes. The 5,000 km cap applies per car, so two vehicles each used for work can each be claimed — but you need a separate basis for each, and using the log book method on the higher-use vehicle usually pays better.
Does the business owning the car change things?
Significantly. A company or trust owning a vehicle used privately brings fringe benefits tax into play, and FBT often exceeds the tax saved. Genuine commercial vehicles with limited private use may be exempt. Get advice before signing finance.
What if I didn't keep a log book this year?
You're limited to cents per kilometre, capped at 5,000 km, with a reasonable basis for the kilometres claimed. Start a log book now — twelve weeks from today covers you for the next five years.
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