Everything Australian businesses need to know about claiming deductions on financed trucks, equipment, and machinery this financial year.
When you finance a business asset in Australia, your tax deductions depend on which finance structure you use. The three main structures — chattel mortgage, finance lease, and operating lease — each have different tax implications.
Important: This article provides general information only. Tax rules change frequently and your specific situation may vary. Always consult a registered tax agent or accountant before making tax-related decisions.
| Deduction Type | Chattel Mortgage | Finance Lease | Operating Lease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest | ✅ Deductible | ❌ (included in lease payment) | ❌ (included in lease payment) |
| Depreciation | ✅ Claimable (you own the asset) | ❌ (financier owns it) | ❌ (lessor owns it) |
| Lease payments | N/A | ✅ 100% deductible | ✅ 100% deductible |
| GST credit timing | Upfront (full GST on purchase) | Progressive (each payment) | Progressive (each payment) |
| Instant asset write-off | ✅ Eligible (if criteria met) | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available |
The instant asset write-off allows eligible businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of an asset in the year it is first used or installed ready for use.
You purchase a $90,000 (ex. GST) excavator via chattel mortgage and it meets the instant asset write-off criteria. You may be able to claim the full $90,000 as a deduction in the year of purchase — a potential tax saving of $22,500 at the 25% company tax rate.
If you don't qualify for the instant write-off (or choose not to use it), you can depreciate the asset using ATO-approved methods:
Higher deductions in earlier years, lower in later years. Formula: base value × (days held ÷ 365) × (200% ÷ effective life in years).
Equal deductions each year. Formula: cost × (days held ÷ 365) × (100% ÷ effective life in years).
The ATO publishes effective life tables for different asset types. For example, a general-purpose truck might have an effective life of 8 years, while a passenger vehicle might be 8 years.
With a chattel mortgage, the interest portion of each repayment is tax-deductible. Over a typical 5-year, $100,000 loan at 7%, you'd deduct approximately $18,000–$20,000 in total interest.
The interest deduction is claimed in the year it's paid — not upfront. Your lender or broker should provide an annual interest statement.
You can claim the full GST credit on the purchase price in the BAS period when the asset is purchased. For a $110,000 (inc. GST) truck, that's a $10,000 GST credit in your next BAS.
GST is included in each lease payment and claimed progressively through your BAS. Over a 5-year lease, the total GST claimed equals the same amount — but you receive it over time rather than upfront.
Cash flow impact: The upfront GST credit from a chattel mortgage can be a significant cash flow boost, especially for higher-value assets.
There's no universal "best" — it depends on your business situation:
| If You Want… | Best Structure |
|---|---|
| Maximum Year 1 deduction (instant write-off) | Chattel Mortgage |
| Simple, one-line deduction per payment | Finance Lease or Operating Lease |
| Upfront GST credit | Chattel Mortgage |
| No depreciation schedule to manage | Finance Lease or Operating Lease |
| All-inclusive deduction (maintenance, insurance) | Operating Lease (bundled) |
Use our free calculator to estimate Year 1 tax deductions for all three structures side-by-side.
Yes — if you use a chattel mortgage (because you own the asset). You cannot claim the instant write-off with finance leases or operating leases, as the financier/lessor owns the asset.
The tax deduction is proportional to business use. If you use a vehicle 80% for business and 20% personal, you can only claim 80% of the depreciation, interest, or lease payments.
The asset must be first used or installed ready for use before 30 June 2026 to claim deductions in the 2025–26 financial year. Settlement timing is important — discuss with your accountant.
Our calculator estimates Year 1 tax deductions for all three structures — free, instant.
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