Free ATO Car Expenses Calculator (2026-27)
Enter your business kilometres for the financial year (1 July to 30 June). The calculator applies the current 91-cent rate (2026-27), caps at 5,000 km per car, and shows when you would benefit from switching to the logbook method instead.
Your deduction
$4,550
- 5,000 km at 91¢/km
- $4,550
Capped. The cents-per-km method claims only the first 5,000 km per car — your other 5,000 km claim nothing here. At this distance the logbook method is very likely worth the 12-week log, because it has no cap.
Deduction only. Parking and tolls are claimed separately, on top of the per-kilometre rate. Your actual tax saving depends on your personal rate and is not estimated here.
How the cents-per-km calculation works
Business kilometres × $0.91, capped at 5,000 km per car. Maximum cents-per-km deduction is $4,550 per car per year (2026-27 rate, effective 1 July 2026).
If your business kilometres exceed 5,000 in a single car, the cents-per-km method cannot claim the excess. The calculator flags this and shows what the logbook method might recover instead.
What this calculator does not include
Logbook-method calculations. The logbook method requires actual expense receipts and a 12-week representative log; that is a separate calculation that depends on your specific costs.
GST. If you are GST-registered (mandatory for rideshare drivers), separate GST math applies on the income side.
FAQ
What's the absolute maximum I can claim under cents-per-km?
$4,550 per car per year ($0.91 × 5,000 km) for 2026-27. With two cars used for business, the maximum doubles to $9,100. Beyond that, the logbook method is the only option.
Do I need receipts for cents-per-km?
Not for fuel, maintenance, or insurance. Cents-per-km is a simplified method that bundles those costs into the per-km rate. You do still need a record of business kilometres (date, destination, purpose, km) to support the claim.
More Australia guides
How to Claim Car Expenses on myTax
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ATO Car Expenses for Food Delivery Drivers (2025-26)
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ATO Car Expenses for Tradies: Electricians, Plumbers, and Builders
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ATO Car Expenses for Sole Traders: Schedule B, Not D1
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ATO Car Expenses for Nurses and Healthcare Workers: Employed vs Contractor
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ATO Cents-per-km Rate 2025-26: 88¢/km, 5,000 km Cap
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