A novated lease is the ATO-approved way for employees to pay for a car and its running costs with pre-tax salary contributions. It saves the employer Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and passes it directly to the employee.
It bundles finance, servicing, fuel, registration, tyres and insurance into one single payment.
Benefits
The benefits of a novated lease can vary greatly depending on an employee’s income, the cost of their car and ongoing running costs. However, it can reduce a person’s taxable income, meaning less income tax needs to be paid each year. For more information about the ATO novated lease, click here.
The employer deducts an agreed amount from an employee’s salary before tax and uses this money to pay for the lease and all running costs. Running costs can include traditional fuel, tyres, servicing, and re-registration and insurance renewals. These costs can be packaged together so that the lease payments cover them all, allowing employees to save income tax and GST each year.
This arrangement can also allow employees to purchase new EVs that may be exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). FBT is calculated on the taxable value of the vehicle, which takes into account both private and business-related kilometres. EVs can be an excellent option for businesses that require more frequent travel as they have lower operating costs than petrol or diesel cars.
Tax
The benefits for employers include motivation and incentives for employees to perform well. The company can also save on payroll tax, depending on the size of their workforce and total wages bill. They can also gain a competitive advantage by offering a novated lease that includes roadside assistance and registration. Eligible electric vehicles are also FBT-exempt under the new rules introduced by the Australian Federal Government in 2022.
A novated lease allows you to finance two-thirds of the car’s cost, leaving a residual payment that needs to be paid at the end of your lease term. It is, therefore, cheaper than financing the exact vehicle with a regular car loan or buying it outright.
It’s essential to understand the tax implications of a novated lease before you sign one. If you have any doubts, it’s best to seek advice from an accountant or financial adviser. The ATO will be obtaining data about their clients from novated lease providers during the 2021 calendar year. This data will be used to ensure that FBT compliance obligations are met.
Residual
All novated leases must have a residual payment at the end of the lease term. It is sometimes referred to as a balloon payment, and it is calculated based on the car’s purchase price and the lease length. The ATO sets the minimum residual percentage, and it gets lower the longer the novated lease term.
The benefit of the residual is that if you choose a vehicle with solid resale value (Toyotas, for example, retain their value better than some other cars), you can potentially sell your car privately at the end of your lease. Any profit above the residual payment is yours to keep as tax-free.
The residual needs to be paid with post-tax dollars, and funds from your novated lease account cannot be used for this purpose. However, some deductible items can be included in the residual, such as road tolls, parking expenses, fines and infringements and vehicle options or accessories fitted after delivery of the car. For more information about the ATO novated lease, click here.
Insurance
If you are a nurse, doctor, physio, OT, pharmacist or other medical professional, then it’s worth talking to your employer about getting your next car via a novated lease. It can be a great way to maximise your wages and potentially save thousands in tax on the cost of buying and running your vehicle.
It’s common for leasing companies to bundle insurance, maintenance and registration costs together into one monthly payment. It is to make it easy for you to keep track of your car expenses and ensure your maintenance is up to date.