cents/km method Page 289

The cents/km method is the ATO-approved shortcut for claiming work use of your car: multiply your work kilometres by the ATO’s set rate per kilometre—no spreadsheets, no tears.

You can claim up to 5,000 km per car, per year without a logbook, but keep reasonable records (diary, calendar, odometer notes) to show how you worked it out. The rate already covers fuel, servicing, tyres, rego, insurance and depreciation, so don’t double-dip on those. Parking and tolls for work trips can be added on top; the daily commute still doesn’t count. Do more than 5,000 business km? Consider the logbook method if it works out better. Consult official documentation for exact figures.