What is mileage reimbursement?
What counts as business mileage
- Driving to meetings or conferences that are for business but not at your typical workplace.
- Running errands or getting supplies for the business
- Traveling from your usual workplace to a secondary or alternate place of business (i.e. a second office or a client’s office for a business meeting).
- Going on customer visits or visiting field sites.
How to use the mileage reimbursement method
- How far they drove (in kms)
- The trip dates
- The trip purpose or how it’s related to the business
How to use the logbook method
- Preparing your logbook
- Keeping records and receipts of running costs
- Calculating your deduction
1. Keeping a logbook.
- The start and end dates of the logbook period
- Odometer readings for the start and end of the logbook period
- The odometer reading at the start and end of each trip
- The destination of each trip
- The business purpose of each trip
- Total number of kilometres travelled during each period
2. Keeping records and receipts
- Fuel and oil receipts
- Registration costs
- Insurances
- Interest on a car loan
- Car services and regular upkeep
- Tyres and general repairs
- Tolls and parking fees during business use
3. Calculating your deduction
The actual costs method
- The car you use for work-related travel doesn’t belong to you
- The vehicle you use doesn’t fit the ATO’s definition of a “car,” i.e. a truck, motorcycle, or vehicle that can carry more than 9 passengers
- Keep evidence of your work-related use of the vehicle. You can do this by keeping a logbook, similar to the logbook method, but it’s not a requirement.
- Keep all original receipts of vehicle expenses.
- Determine the depreciation of the vehicle based on the value of the vehicle and lifespan using an accepted depreciation method.
- Calculate the percentage of your expenses that are for work-related travel based on the above details. This is the amount you can claim as a deduction.
What is the mileage reimbursement rate in Australia for 2025?
Is car allowance taxable in Australia?
Frequently Asked Questions about mileage reimbursement
How many kms can you claim for reimbursement without receipts?
As an employee, should I claim mileage deductions on my taxes if I drive for work?
As an employer, do I have to reimburse employees for mileage at the set ATO rate?
What vehicle expenses are tax deductible?