FBT and Ride Sharing Travel

While the Australian Taxation Office were treating Ride Sharing Vehicles such as Uber as a taxi for GST purposes, the ride sharing vehicles missed out on a useful Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for home to work travel which was only provided for registered Taxis.

In July 2019 we wrote about the Tax Anomalies surrounding Taxi and Ride Sharing vehicle travel.  

We are pleased to announce that the Government has listened to the public and the Treasury has issued exposure draft legislation which proposes to extend the FBT exemption for travel between home and work to ‘any vehicle used for taxi travel’ with the intent of including ride sharing vehicles. Unfortunately, the exposure draft, if enacted could result in the new exemption only applying part way through the FBT year, potentially causing confusion and more record keeping requirement. 

Mazars has put in a submission to the Treasury to recommend changes commence from the start of the FBT year.  We will continue to keep our clients informed of these rules.

If you have any questions regarding the FBT please speak to your usual Mazars advisor or alternatively our tax team on:

Brisbane – Jamie Towers

Melbourne – Evan Beissel

Sydney – Gaibrielle Cleary

+61 7 3218 3900

+61 3 9252 0800

+61 2 9922 1166

 

Published: 18 September 2019

Please note that this publication is intended to provide a general summary and should not be relied upon as a substitute for personal advice.

All rights reserved. This publication in whole or in part may not be reproduced, distributed or used in any manner whatsoever without the express prior and written consent of the Mazars, except for the use of brief quotations in the press, in social media or in another communication tool, as long as Mazars and the source of the publication are duly mentioned. In all cases, Mazars’ intellectual property rights are protected and the Mazars Group shall not be liable for any use of this publication by third parties, either with or without Mazars’ prior authorisation. Also please note that this publication is intended to provide a general summary and should not be relied upon as a substitute for personal advice. Content is accurate as at the date published.