Car Logbook vs Cents-per-km Calculator
Choose between the cents-per-km method (88c x km up to 5,000) and the logbook method based on actual costs and work-use percentage.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results should not be relied upon as professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates and thresholds are based on publicly available ATO data and may change. Always consult a qualified tax agent or financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cents-per-km rate for 2025-26?
How does the logbook method work?
Which method gives a bigger deduction?
What counts as work-related travel?
What is Car Logbook vs Cents-per-km?
Two ATO-approved methods for claiming work-related car expenses. Cents-per-km uses 88¢ per work kilometre (2025-26) up to 5,000 km, with no receipts required. Logbook method records actual usage over 12 weeks to establish a work-use percentage that's then applied to all running costs and depreciation.
How this calculator works
Enter your total km/year and work km/year, then your marginal tax rate. For cents-per-km, the calculator multiplies eligible km (capped at 5,000) by 88¢. For logbook, enter your annual fuel, insurance, rego, servicing, tyres and loan interest, plus the vehicle's purchase price and depreciation rate. The calculator computes work-use % and applies it to total running costs, then shows which method gives the better refund.
Cents-per-km Method (Simple)
88¢ per kilometre for 2025-26 (up from 85¢ in 2024-25), per ATO LCD 2024/2. Covers all running costs including fuel, depreciation, insurance and maintenance. Capped at 5,000 work km/year per car (so max claim ~$4,400). No receipts needed, but you must be able to demonstrate how you calculated the kilometres — diary entries, calendar appointments, work records, etc.
Logbook Method (More Detailed)
Maintain a continuous 12-week logbook. For every trip record: date, odometer start/end, kilometres travelled, and purpose (work or private). At the end, the work km ÷ total km = work-use percentage. That percentage applies to ALL your car's costs for the next 5 years (you must redo the logbook if circumstances change materially). You can claim that % of fuel, insurance, rego, servicing, tyres, repairs, loan interest, AND depreciation.
Which Method is Better?
Logbook usually wins when work km exceed 5,000/year, the car cost more than ~$25,000, or you have high running costs. Cents-per-km wins for occasional work travel, cheap second cars, and when you want zero record-keeping burden. Generally if work-use is over 30% and the car cost over $30,000, logbook is significantly better — often double or triple the cents-per-km claim.
What Counts as Work Travel?
DEDUCTIBLE: trips between work sites, client visits, conferences, picking up work supplies, travel to a temporary workplace (away from your usual location). NOT DEDUCTIBLE: regular home-to-work commute, even if you do work-related tasks at home. EXCEPTIONS: home-to-work CAN qualify if you carry bulky equipment that can't be safely left at work, you have shifting work locations (no regular base), or you work from home as your primary place of business.
Depreciation Rules
Cars are depreciated under Div 40. The 2024-25 car limit is $69,674 (cost capped for depreciation purposes; FBT and GST also apply this cap). Diminishing value method commonly used at 25%/yr (2/effective life of 8 years × 200% loading). The first year is pro-rated by days held.
Updated for the 2025-26 financial year (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026).
Official Sources
All calculations are performed in your browser — your data never leaves your device. Results are for general guidance only and should not be considered professional financial advice.
Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the ATO and official Australian government sources.