


Question:
Does it make sense to sacrifice some salary for an electric vehicle, and what is a novated lease?
Answer:
Recent changes are outlined below:
July 1, 2022
- Loss carry back for eligible companies extended to cover 2023 income year.
- Professional firm profits diverted to the professional's spouse or other associates to be reviewed under new Tax Office guidance.
- Corporate collective investment vehicle legislative regime introduced.
- Temporary full expensing of depreciating assets extended to include 2023 income year.
- Depreciable assets of a company joining a tax consolidation group have tax costs setting rules modified for assets depreciated under temporary full expensing rules.
December 9, 2021
- Reduced Pandemic leave disaster payment of $750 per week made available through to 30 June 2022.
August 5, 2021
- COVID-19 Disaster Payments are non-assessable non-exempt income in 2021 income year and later. Payments phasing out as vaccination rates increase.
July 1, 2021
- Some COVID -19 state and territory business grants received by small and medium enterprises are non-assessable, non-exempt income for 2021 and 2022 income years.
- Certain state, territory and local government financial support for individuals and businesses suffering COVID-19 impacts made exempt where businesses have turnover less than $50 million and only in eligible programs.
July 1, 2021
- New Investment Engagement Service launched for businesses planning significant new investments in Australia.
- Tax Office small business independent review service made permanent for businesses with turnover < $10m, for income tax, GST, exercise, luxury car tax, wine equalisation tax and fuel tax credits. Requested before amended assessment issued.
- Small business income tax offset for individuals increased to provide a reduction of 16% for a tax payable up to $1,000.
- Self-managed superannuation funds can now have six members, increased from four members previously.
March 31, 2021
- JobKeeper payments scheme ended.
October 5, 2020
- Boosting apprenticeship commencements subsidy (up to 50% of apprentice's wages) is assessable income.
June 4, 2020
- Homebuilder grant for new home or substantial renovation construction is not subject to income tax.
April 1, 2020
- COVID-19 cash flow boost payments are not subject to income tax
Salary sacrificing for an electric vehicle through a novated lease can lower your taxable income and provide savings if the arrangement meets legal requirements and is structured correctly.
A novated lease is a three-way agreement between an employee, employer and a leasing company. The employer deducts lease payments from the employee’s pre-tax salary, pays the lease instalments to the leasing company, and allows the employee to make full private use of the car. If the car qualifies, the car benefits arising from the lease are exempt from fringe benefits tax.
For example, if an employee earns $100,000 and salary sacrifices $15,000 annually for a novated lease, their taxable income could be reduced to $85,000. Depending on their marginal tax rate, this may save around $4,500 in income tax per year. Over five years, the total tax savings could exceed $22,500.
While novated electric vehicle leasing can offer substantial tax savings, it is important to factor in ongoing costs. Charging using grid electricity typically costs around $500 per year for 12,000 kilometres of driving. Home solar charging can reduce this further, while public fast chargers may cost $30 to $40 per full charge. Insurance premiums for electric vehicles can be higher due to the complexity of repairs and the availability of parts, typically costing around $1,500 annually. However, servicing costs are generally lower because these vehicles have fewer moving parts, averaging about $1000 annually. Registration fees vary by state, and many offer discounts. For example, in Queensland, the annual registration fee for a small electric vehicle is approximately $720.
Category Electric vehicle Petrol vehicle
Charging / Fuel $2,500 $7,500–$10,000
Insurance $5,000–$10,000 $4,000–$8,000
Servicing $500–$1,500 $2,000–$3,500
Registration & Road Fees $3,500–$5,000 $4,000–$6,000
Depreciation 33%–50% 40%–60%
Over five years, a typical electric vehicle owner might spend $2,500 on charging, $7,500 on insurance, $1,250 on servicing and $3,600 on registration and road fees. These costs can also be bundled into a novated lease, simplifying budgeting and potentially offering further tax advantages. Depreciation also plays a role. Some electric vehicles retain up to 60-70 per cent of their value after five years, while others may lose more. Including these factors in your decision-making ensures the lease delivers genuine savings and aligns with your financial goals.
To qualify for this exemption, the car must be either a battery electric vehicle or a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. From 1 April 2025, plug-in hybrid vehicles are excluded unless the car was used or available for use before that date and the lease includes a binding commitment to continue. The car must be below the luxury car tax threshold at first sale. For the financial year 2025–26, that threshold is set at $91,387 for fuel-efficient vehicles. Electric vehicles are fuel-efficient.
The car must meet all Tax Office conditions, including being first held and used on or after 1 July 2022, and not subject to luxury car tax at any point. Even if exempt from FBT, the benefit is reportable and may affect eligibility for government benefits or income-tested obligations.
If employment ends, the novated lease does not automatically terminate. The employee remains responsible for the lease payments and must either take over the lease personally, transfer it to a new employer or terminate it early. Early termination can involve payout costs, including the residual value and applicable fees. Once employment ceases, the employer has no further obligations.
Before proceeding, request a detailed quote from a leasing provider that outlines all bundled costs. Consult a tax adviser to confirm your eligibility and calculate the net benefits. Employees should consider job stability, while business owners need to evaluate how novated leasing fits into their employee benefits strategy.