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Which motor vehicle expenses to claim through company versus personally?



I am the sole director of a company. I travel extensively for business using my personal vehicle. My question is do I deduct vehicle expenses such as petrol, insurance, services etc.. through the company, or do I rather take these deductions into account in submitting my personal tax return?

TaxTim TaxTim says:
25 August 2014 at 14:11

Do you receive a travel allowance or any reimbursement from the company? How are you paid, a salary?

Nicki says:
25 August 2014 at 14:35

Yes, I am paying myself a small salary out of the company, which includes a travel allowance. I keep a logbook of all my business travel. I know there is the fixed method of determining a travel deduction, which includes the petrol portion. If I make the company pay for my petrol, would I just not include this part of the deduction in my calculation? If that is allowed?

TaxTim TaxTim says:
25 August 2014 at 14:50

If you receive a travel allowance then you will be able to claim all your costs including wear and tear when you file your return which will reduce your taxes payable. You would include these in the travel allowance section of the tax return.

Nicki says:
25 August 2014 at 14:56

Thank you very much for your help. Just to clarify, do I not put any actual petrol expenses etc.. through the company? All goes through on my personal tax return only?

TaxTim TaxTim says:
25 August 2014 at 15:06

Yes, if you receive a travel allowance and the expenses all go through your account then you are able to claim these expenses when you claim against the travel allowance.

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