How do I calculate FBT on a company car?
Can anyone tell me how to calculate the taxable value of a company car? And how much is FBT tax on a car?
There are two methods of calculating FBT on a company car that you can choose from:
1. Statutory Formula Method
2. Operating Cost Method
You can alternate between the two from year to year, so I recommend picking the method that provides you with the lowest taxable value.
Statutory Formula Method:
Vehicle Base Cost x Statutory Rate x Holding Period - Contribution Collected
In this formula:
Vehicle Base Cost is the price to purchase the vehicle.
The statutory rate is the rate provided by legislation. (All leases have a rate of 20%)
Holding Period is the amount of time the vehicle was available for use.
Contribution Collected is any post-tax deductions you received during the year.
Example:
A leased vehicle with a Base Cost of $50,000 and packaged for the entire year would be calculated as so:
$50,000 x 20% = $10,000
If you received any deductions during the FBT, you would subtract that from the $10,000 taxable value.
Operating Cost Method
Total Operating Expenses of the Vehicle x (100% - Business Use Percentage) - Contribution Collected.
In this formula:
Operating Expenses are the total costs of the vehicle for the year. (For example, a lease and all running costs.)
Business Use Percentage is calculated based on the number of km drove for business use as a percentage of overall driving during a 12 week period in which a logbook is kept. (To qualify, you must have held an ATO compliant logbook for at least 12 weeks.
Example:
A vehicle lease with $20,000 in total costs that has a registered business use of 90% would be calculated as so:
$20,000 x (100% - 90%)
$20,000 x 10% = $2000
If you received any deductions during the FBT, subtract that from the $2000 taxable value.
There's also a Fringe benefits tax calculator on the Australian Taxation Office website that's extremely useful. I hope that answered your question :)