Fully Maintained Novated Lease - EV Charging – What Can I Claim?
If you have a fully maintained novated lease for an electric vehicle (EV), you may be able to claim eligible EV charging costs incurred during your lease period.
Charging costs can be claimed using one of two approved methods:
- EV Home Charging Rate or ‘Shortcut Method’ (cents per kilometre) for, or
- Tax Invoice Method (based on electricity costs and supporting evidence).
If you choose the EV Home Charging Rate Method for an FBT year, public charging costs cannot also be claimed separately using the Tax Invoice Method during that same FBT year.
All claims must relate to the leased EV and be incurred during the active lease period.
What you can claim
- Public EV charging costs using the Tax Invoice Method that are clearly itemised on a tax invoice.
- EV charging costs incurred during the active lease period
- Credit card surcharges using the Tax Invoice Method, where they are separately itemised on an eligible charging tax invoice.
- Charging costs calculated using the ATO EV Home Charging Rate Method, where the required records are maintained.
- Charging costs claimed using the Tax Invoice Method, where sufficient supporting documentation is provided.
- Electricity used specifically to charge the leased EV.
What you can't claim
- Use both the ATO EV Home Charging Rate Method and the Tax Invoice Method within the same FBT year.
- Change between claim methods during the same FBT year.
- EV charging or electricity costs that cannot be substantiated with the required records or supporting documentation.
- Electricity or charging expenses that cannot be linked to the leased EV.
- Charging costs incurred outside the active lease period unless an approved exception applies.
- The purchase, installation, maintenance, or repair of EV charging equipment.
- The purchase of home charging units or wall-mounted chargers.
- Upgraded or enhanced charging cables.
- Household electricity usage unrelated to charging the leased EV.
- Solar installation costs, home battery costs, feed-in tariff impacts, or other general household energy expenses.
- Estimates of charging costs that are not calculated using an approved method or supported by adequate evidence.
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Examples
Can I claim public charging costs for my leased EV?
Sarah has chosen to claim using the Tax Invoice Method and charges her leased EV at a public charging station and receives a tax invoice showing the charging cost separately. Because the expense relates directly to her leased EV during the active lease period and is supported by an itemised tax invoice, Sarah can claim the charging cost.*
Can I claim home charging costs using the ATO EV Home Charging Rate Method?
Liam charges his leased EV at home and keeps the records required to calculate his claim using the ATO EV Home Charging Rate Method. Because Liam has not claimed charging costs using the Tax Invoice Method during the same FBT year and has maintained the required records, Liam can claim the home charging expense.*
Can I claim home charging costs using my electricity bills?
Ava chooses to use the Tax Invoice Method. She provides electricity bills, proof of payment, charging records and calculations showing the electricity used to charge her leased EV. Because Ava has not claimed charging costs using the Tax Invoice Method during the same FBT year and has substantiated the charging expense, she can claim the eligible home charging cost.*
Can I use the ATO EV Home Charging Rate Method for part of the year and then switch to the Tax Invoice Method?
Ethan uses the ATO EV Home Charging Rate Method for home charging expenses during the FBT year and later decides he would prefer to use the Tax Invoice Method. Ethan cannot switch methods during the same FBT year. Ethan must use the same claiming method until the end of that FBT year.*
Can I use different methods for different home charging claims?
Oliver's leased EV was supplied with a charging cable when the lease commenced. The cable becomes damaged and he purchases an identical replacement of the same make and model.*
Oliver cannot claim the expense under the EV Charging category because it is not a charging cost. However, the like-for-like replacement cable may be eligible as an Other Running Cost, subject to policy requirements.*
Can I claim an upgraded charging cable?
Mia purchases a premium fast-charging cable to replace her original cable. Mia cannot claim the expense. Upgraded or enhanced charging cables are generally not eligible EV charging costs and are not considered an eligible like-for-like replacement under Other Running Costs.*
Can I claim the purchase of a home charging unit?
Priya purchases and installs a wall-mounted EV charger at home. Priya cannot claim this expense because EV charging equipment and installation costs are not eligible running costs under a fully maintained novated lease.*