How to keep an ATO-compliant logbook for your Tesla
To keep an ATO-compliant logbook for a Tesla, record a continuous period of at least 12 weeks that is representative of your typical driving. For each business journey, log the start and end dates, the odometer readings at the start and end of the trip, the kilometres travelled and the reason for the trip, plus the odometer reading at the start and end of the period. The resulting business-use percentage is valid for five years unless your pattern of use changes materially.
How long does the logbook need to cover?
The ATO logbook method requires a continuous period of at least 12 weeks that fairly represents your travel for the whole year. If you started using the car partway through the year, the 12 weeks can run into the next income year. Once completed, the logbook and the business-use percentage it produces stay valid for that year plus the following four years — the five-year rule. You only have to start a fresh 12-week logbook if your circumstances change enough to shift your business use materially (a shift of roughly 10 percentage points or more is a common trigger).
What has to be recorded for each trip?
For every business journey your logbook must record the date the trip began and ended, the odometer reading at the start and end of the trip, the total kilometres travelled, and the purpose of the trip. In addition, you record the odometer reading at the start and end of the logbook period, and the odometer reading at the start and end of each income year (and FBT year, 1 April to 31 March) you rely on the logbook. From these figures the ATO calculates your business-use percentage — the single number that drives your deduction, your FBT position and your GST recovery.
Why records must be contemporaneous
The ATO requires logbook entries to be contemporaneous — made at the time of each trip or as soon as possible afterwards. A logbook reconstructed from memory at tax time does not meet the standard, and the ATO now cross-checks logbook entries against third-party data such as toll records and telematics to spot inconsistencies. Because a Tesla already timestamps and records the distance of every drive, capturing trips automatically as you go is the most reliable way to meet the contemporaneous standard without the paperwork.
Turning trips into a business-use percentage
Once your 12 weeks are logged, you classify each trip as business or private. Business kilometres divided by total kilometres over the period gives your business-use percentage. You then apply that percentage to all your actual running costs — for a Tesla that means charging electricity, servicing, insurance, registration, interest and decline in value. Keep the supporting receipts and invoices, because the percentage is only useful if you can substantiate the underlying costs it is applied to.
FAQ
Can I keep an electronic logbook instead of a paper one?+
Yes. The ATO accepts electronic and app-based logbooks as long as they capture the required details for each business journey and are kept contemporaneously.
Do I need to log private trips too?+
You must record enough to establish the business-use percentage. The clearest approach is to capture every trip and classify each as business or private, so private kilometres are accounted for rather than assumed.
How long do I keep the records?+
Keep your logbook and supporting receipts for at least five years after you lodge the return that relies on them.
A complying 12-week logbook is the difference between guessing and proving your business use. Odoproof captures every Tesla trip automatically so your logbook is contemporaneous by design — join the waitlist to be first in line.
Join the waitlist