Your Ute and Tax: What's Actually Deductible (General Guide)

This is general information, not personal tax advice — vehicle deductions are exactly the kind of claim where getting it wrong can cost you later, so confirm anything specific to your situation with a registered tax agent before lodging.

General principles

A ute used for work can generally have work-related running costs and modifications at least partially claimed, but the exact treatment depends on how the vehicle is used, how it's owned (personally vs. through a business structure), and how well your record-keeping supports the claim.

Logbooks matter

If your vehicle is used for both work and personal use, a logbook is generally required to substantiate the work-related proportion of your claim — the ATO can and does disallow claims that aren't properly substantiated.