Logbooks are used to record the business use of your motor vehicle as part of evidence to claim your motor vehicle expenses as a tax deduction and to reduce Fringe Benefit Tax.

To correctly complete your logbook, you need to:

• Complete it for 12 weeks.
• Enter the date of the journey.
• Describe the journey, be specific.
• Record the starting odometer reading.
• Record the closing odometer reading.
• Note the kilometers traveled.
• Note if the journey is for business or private use.

Once this is complete you can use this logbook for the next 5 years.  Even if you change cars, your business use of the new vehicle is the same.

Your logbook can be recorded in a pre-printed logbook - you can buy these from a stationery store.  Otherwise, you can record it electronically, e.g. on a spreadsheet or an approved app.

Please note: It is very important to record the odometer reading at 31 March if your claim is for Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) calculations or at 30 June if your claim is for a tax deduction.

When recording your logbook, please remember when your car is serviced, your mechanic will record the odometer reading on the car.  Also, the ATO can access your toll records.