In the past, businesses have only been able to claim a fuel tax credit for fuel used in heavy vehicles,
such as trucks and specific activities, such as primary production.
Under the expansion fuel tax credits can be claimed for the majority of fuel used in business – whether
it’s used in lawn mowers, whipper snippers, blower vacuums or concrete mixers.
The exceptions are:
• alternative fuels such:
· liquefied petroleum gas
· compressed natural gas
· liquefied natural gas
· ethanol and biodiesel, and
|
|
• fuel used in light vehicles travelling on public roads, such as cars or small vans.
How much a business claims depends on how the fuel is used. The table below explains what a business may be entitled to claim.
| Activities |
Rates as at 1 July 2008 |
Fuel used in vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) greater than 4.5 tonne travelling on a public road.
|
18.51 cents per litre* |
| |
Fuel used in specified activities in
agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, marine and rail transport, nursing and medical that
have been eligible since 1 July 2006.
Electricity generation.
Non-fuel use, such as burner applications and
solvents.
|
38.143 cents per litre |
| |
Fuel acquired from 1 July 2008 that is used in
all other business activities, machinery, plant
and equipment, such as a wide range of
construction, wholesale, retail, property
management and landscaping activities.
|
19.0715 cents per litre ** |
Fore more information on rates visit www.ato.gov.au/fuelschemes.
**The rate of 19.0715 cents per litre is 50% of the full rate of 38.143 cents per litre. The full rate will apply to all these activities from 1 July 2012.
Get on board
If you’re registered for goods and services tax but not fuel tax credits, it’s easy to get on board – just phone 13 72 26 anytime (24 hours a day, seven days a week). Make sure you have your Australian business number and your business tax file number handy when you call.
Once registered, an additional label will be added to your business activity statement (BAS) and the Tax Office will send you information on how to claim.
Claiming is easy
Simply keep any records that prove you bought fuel and how it was used for your business. You can calculate your claim by visiting www.ato.gov.au/businesses and selecting ‘Rates, calculators and tools’ on the left hand side.
To find out if your business is eligible or for further information go to www.ato.gov.au/fuelschemes
Don’t miss out
Did you know that from 1 July 2008 most businesses
can claim fuel tax credits? If you haven’t checked your
eligibility for a while, you may want to check again.
To date, you’ve been able to claim for fuel used in heavy
vehicles travelling on a public road, if they had a gross
vehicle mass (GVM) greater than 4.5 tonne. You’ve also
been able to claim for activities such as agriculture,
forestry, fishing, mining, and marine and rail transport.
Now you can also claim fuel tax credits for the diesel
and petrol you use in a whole range of activities that
weren’t eligible before, including machinery, plant and
equipment used in activities such as construction,
wholesale, retail, property management and
landscaping. Make sure you don’t miss out!
This brochure; Fuel tax credits: get money back for your business outlines the fuel tax credits expansion including the different rates that apply from 1 July 2008
If you’re already receiving fuel tax credits, look into
whether you can receive more now.
If this brochure
doesn’t answer your questions, get hold of a copy
of Fuel tax credits for business (NAT 14584) by phoning
1300 720 092.
