If you’re thinking about purchasing or leasing a vehicle for your business in the new financial year, it’s worth understanding the updated car thresholds that apply from 1 July 2026. While these limits may seem technical, they can have a practical impact on the amount you can claim for tax depreciation deductions, the GST credits that are available, and whether luxury car tax (LCT) could apply.

Knowing how these rules work before signing a contract can help you make a more informed decision and potentially improve your overall tax and cash flow position.

The car limit – understanding the depreciation cap

For vehicles first used or leased in the 2026–27 income year, the car limit is $69,883.

This limit generally represents the maximum value that can be used when calculating tax depreciation deductions for a passenger vehicle, regardless of how much was actually paid for the car.

From a commercial perspective, this is an important consideration if you’re looking at a higher-value vehicle. While purchasing a more expensive car may still make sense for operational or business reasons, the portion of the purchase price above the car limit will generally not attract depreciation deductions.

If the vehicle is used for both business and private purposes – which is common for many business owners – you would typically only be able to claim deductions for the business-use portion. Maintaining appropriate records, such as a valid logbook and odometer readings, remains an important part of supporting those claims should the ATO undertake a review or audit.

Rather than focusing solely on the purchase price, it is often worthwhile considering the overall after-tax cost of the vehicle. In many cases, a vehicle priced around the car limit may provide similar practical benefits while maximising the available tax deductions.

It’s also worth confirming which depreciation rules apply to your circumstances, including whether any simplified depreciation concessions are available so that deductions can be claimed at a faster rate.

GST credits – also subject to a cap

Businesses that are registered for GST may also be entitled to claim GST credits when purchasing a business vehicle. However, where the purchase price exceeds the car limit, the GST credit is also capped.

For the 2026–27 financial year, the maximum GST credit available is $6,353 (being one-eleventh of the $69,883 car limit) for passenger vehicles.

Even if the vehicle costs considerably more, the GST credit will generally not increase beyond this amount. However, when the vehicle is sold you will normally need to pay GST on the full sale price.

For many businesses, GST credits can provide an important short-term cash flow benefit, so it is important to ensure they are claimed correctly and within the relevant time limits through your Business Activity Statement (BAS).

Luxury Car Tax thresholds increase

The Luxury Car Tax (LCT) thresholds have also increased from 1 July 2026 and are now:

• $91,661 for fuel-efficient vehicles.
• $80,809 for all other vehicles.

Where applicable, LCT is generally imposed at 33% of the value above the relevant threshold, increasing the overall purchase cost of eligible vehicles.

If you’re considering a premium vehicle, these thresholds may become an important part of the purchasing decision. In particular, many fuel-efficient vehicles, including a range of hybrid and electric models, benefit from the higher threshold. Depending on the vehicle selected, this could potentially reduce the amount of LCT payable while also delivering lower running costs over the life of the vehicle.

Planning ahead can pay off

These updated thresholds apply to vehicles first used or leased from 1 July 2026, making now an ideal time to review any planned vehicle purchases.

Before making a decision, it may be worthwhile considering:

• The total after-tax cost of ownership, including depreciation deductions, GST credits and any LCT;
• Whether purchasing or leasing is likely to be more suitable for your circumstances;
• The expected business use of the vehicle and the records you’ll need to maintain; and
• How the purchase fits within your broader cash flow and business plans.

Whether you’re replacing a work vehicle, expanding your fleet or purchasing a new car for client-facing activities, taking these factors into account can help ensure the vehicle meets both your operational requirements and your tax objectives.

Key takeaways

A business vehicle is often a significant investment, and while tax considerations shouldn’t drive the decision, they can influence the overall cost of ownership.

Before committing to a purchase, it’s worth speaking with your accountant to model the likely tax outcomes based on your individual circumstances. A little planning upfront may help you maximise available tax concessions, avoid unexpected costs and ensure the purchase aligns with your broader business strategy.

For more information, refer to the ATO’s Small Business Newsroom: Car thresholds from 1 July | Australian Taxation Office, or contact our team to discuss how these changes may apply to your business.