You can expect an email from your dmca adviser shortly requesting odometer readings and logbooks, if required.

As with many things related to COVID-19, the ATO has changed how it will approach FBT compliance this year due to the impact that the pandemic has had on work patterns.

Emergency assistance and flights – emergency assistance to employees because the employee is at risk of being adversely affected by COVID-19 will generally not be subject to FBT. For example, this includes benefits in regard to self-isolation of employees due to sudden border or travel restrictions.

Company cars – a company car will usually attract FBT if it is garaged at the employee’s home. However, this year many company car parks and places of business were closed. As a result, the ATO has stated that for employers using the operating cost method, if the “car has not been driven at all during the period it has been garaged at home, or has only been driven briefly for the purpose of maintaining the car, we will accept that you don’t hold the car for the purpose of providing fringe benefits to your employee.” However, you will still need to maintain odometer readings. Please note, if the car was used during the period, FBT will still apply.

Logbooks – COVID-19 is likely to have had an impact on driving patterns. The ATO have made concessions to account for this. If you are already using the 12-week logbook method, continue to do so. You must keep odometer records for the year to show how much the car has been driven.