By Kerri Tsui of Small Business Accountants in Helensburgh

One of the most common questions we are asked each year is: 'Can I claim my car as a work-related deduction?'

Typically travel to and from work even if there is no bus or train or you work odd shifts is not a work-related expense, but there are times where you can claim a deduction for your personally owned motor vehicle and it is worth knowing these.

Simply, the Australian Taxation Office will allow a work-related deduction for your personally owned motor vehicle if you use it to:

• perform your work duties – for example, if you travel from your regular place of work to meet with a client or attend their premises;
• attend work-related conferences or meetings away from your regular place of work
• deliver items or collect supplies;
• go between 2 or more separate places of employment, such as if you have more than one job (but not if one of the places is your home).

The important thing is to record the kilometres in a log-book or an app on your smartphone when you undertake one of these trips and you can claim an 85c per kilometre (2024 rate) as a work-related deduction.

There are circumstances where you can claim to and from work and there are more involved methods of claiming work-related motor vehicle expenses but the key is to always keep evidence.

About the business

Kerri Tsui has been in public practice for over 17 years and can handle all facet of tax reporting for individuals through to companies and trusts. John Carlson has been in public practice for over 56 years and specialises now in self managed super fund auditing. Visit the website or follow on Facebook.