Government looks to make gaining correct information easy online
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is seeking to raise awareness in the transport industry of fuel tax credit issues and useful ways to check the situation online.
It advises operators who are yet to make such claims to use its Fuel tax credit eligibility tool.
ATO assistant commissioner Tom Wheeler advises that, with correcting mistakes costing time and money, the ATO’s online Fuel tax credit calculator, which has the different rates built-in, makes those calculations quickly, easily and correctly.
“The calculator can be accessed through our free ATO app for smart phones and tablet devices, so you can work out your claims anywhere anytime,” Wheeler says.
“Make it a habit to use the fuel tax credit calculator every time you claim on your Business Activity Statement (BAS).”
He adds that good record keeping is also a must.
“People need to have accurate records to support their claims, including when they acquired the fuel, the type of fuel, what they used it for and how much was used for each activity,” Wheeler says.
He points out there are different rates for different fuels and rates can vary for one fuel type depending on its use.
“For instance, fuel used in vehicles with a GVM over 4.5 tonne for travelling on public roads can be claimed at one rate, while the rate for fuel used in auxiliary equipment like refrigeration units is actually higher,” Wheeler says.
Liquid and gaseous fuels attract a different rate.
Further information on fuel tax credits, including who can claim and what needs to be done, can also be found in the ATO’s online publication, Fuel tax credits for business.