Fuel Tax Credits provide businesses with a credit for the fuel tax (excise or customs duty) that’s included in the price of fuel used in:
- machinery
- plant
- equipment
- heavy vehicles
- light vehicles travelling off public roads or on private roads
The amount depends on when you acquire the fuel, what fuel you use and the activity you use it in. Some fuels and activities are not eligible including fuel you use in light vehicles of 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM) or less, travelling on public roads.
If you claim fuel tax credits, multiple rates may apply to your business activity statement (BAS), depending on when you acquired the fuel (changes to fuel tax credits occurred on 30 March, 1 July (biodiesel only), 1 August, and 29 September 2022).
The temporary reduction of fuel excise duty ended on 28 September 2022. From 29 September 2022:
- increased fuel tax credit rates apply. You must only apply this increased rate to fuel acquired from this date
- if you’re an eligible business that uses fuel in heavy vehicles for travelling on public roads, you can claim fuel tax credits. You cannot claim between 30 March to 28 September 2022. This is because the road user charge exceeds the excise duty paid and this reduces the fuel tax credit rate to nil.
Remember to always keep accurate records to support your claims. Your records need to show the type, date, and quantity of fuel acquired for business activities.
If you think you are eligible for Fuel Tax Credits, contact your registered BAS agent who can discuss your eligibility with you, get you registered (to register for fuel tax credits you’ll also need to be GST registered – your BAS agent can also assist with this), correctly calculate your fuel tax credit and lodge your BAS.
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