If your employer provides you with the use of a car that is classified as a zero or low-emissions vehicle, there is an FBT exemption that can potentially apply to the employer from 1 July 2022, regardless of whether the benefit is provided in connection with a salary sacrifice arrangement or not. The FBT exemption should normally apply where:
The exemption also includes associated benefits such as:
It does not however include a charging station.
While the FBT exemption on EVs applies to employers, the value of the fringe benefit is still taken into account when working out the reportable fringe benefits of the employee. That is, the value of the benefit is reported on the employee’s income statement. While you don’t pay income tax on reportable fringe benefits, it is used to determine your adjusted taxable income for a range of areas such as the Medicare levy surcharge, private health insurance rebate, employee share scheme reduction, and certain social security payments.
By its nature, the FBT exemption only applies where an employer provides a car to an employee or partner of a partnership. Sole traders are not employees and cannot access the exemption personally.
If you are a beneficiary of a trust or shareholder of a company, the exemption can only apply if the benefit is provided in your capacity as an employee or as a director of the entity (you need to be able to show you have an active role in the running of the entity).
The ATO has confirmed that charging stations don’t fall within the scope of the FBT exemption for electric cars. This means that FBT could be triggered if an employer provides a charging unit to an employee.
If an employee purchases a home charging unit then it might be possible to claim depreciation deductions for the cost of the unit over a number of income years if the unit is used to charge a vehicle that is used for income-producing purposes. However, if an employee is only using the vehicle for private purposes then the cost of the charging unit is a private expense and not deductible.
Because it is often difficult to distinguish home electricity usage, the ATO has set down a rate of 4.20 cents per km for running costs for EVs provided to an employee (from 1 April 2022 for FBT and 1 July 2022 for income tax).
If you use this rate, you cannot also claim any of the costs associated with costs incurred at commercial charging stations. It is one or the other, not both.
You also have the option of using actual electricity costs if you can calculate them accurately.
As always, contact us if we can assist you further with your FBT needs.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This blog post contains general information only and has been provided by Allworths without reference to your objectives, financial situation or needs. Allworths cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information contained here. By making this information available to you, we are not providing professional advice or recommendations. Before acting on any of the information contained here, you should seek professional advice.