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The Global Insight

Is motor vehicle an expense?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on February 23, 2026

Motor vehicle expenses, other than business mileage, can only be claimed if the vehicle is a company vehicle (in the company’s name) and is not owned personally. If the car is owned by the company, normal expenses such as maintenance, running costs, and car insurance are tax-deductible expenses.

What are vehicle expenses?

Actual Expenses Gas and oil. Repairs, maintenance, tires. Insurance and licenses. Depreciation (may include first-year expensing). Car loan interest (except employees).

Is motor vehicle repairs an expense?

Car repairs are tax deductible as part of a group of car-related expenses. However, only certain individuals are eligible to claim a tax deduction related to car expenses.

What do motor expenses include?

Your business can pay for all your motor expenses as normal. That’s the petrol, insurance, tax, services, repairs and so on. You can then either enter the business percentage of the expenses into your accounts or bring in the full amount and add back the personal use as a disallowable expense within your tax return.

How much fuel can you claim without receipts?

Fuel/Petrol without a logbook: Even if you haven’t kept a car logbook, as long as you can demonstrate how you calculate the number of kilometres you’re claiming, the ATO will allow a claim of 72c per kilometre up to a maximum of 5,000km.

What vehicle expenses are deductible?

Actual Car or Vehicle Expenses You Can Deduct Qualified expenses for this purpose include gasoline, oil, tires, repairs, insurance, tolls, parking, garage fees, registration fees, lease payments, and depreciation licenses. Keep records of your deductible mileage each month with a simple journal or mileage log.

Can you claim both mileage and fuel?

Can you claim gasoline and mileage on taxes? No. If you use the actual expense method to claim gasoline on your taxes, you can’t also claim mileage. The standard mileage rate lets you deduct a per-cent rate for your mileage.

How to claim motor vehicle expenses for a business?

If you are a partner in a business partnership and you incur motor vehicle expenses for the business through the use of your personal vehicle, you can claim those expenses related to the business on “Line 9943 – Other amounts deductible from your share of net partnership income (loss)” by filling in Part 6 of form T2125, T2042 or T2121.

How to calculate motor vehicle expenses in Canada?

To calculate the amount of motor vehicle expenses you can deduct, fill in “Chart A – Motor Vehicle Expenses” of Form T2125, Statement of Business or Professional Activities, Form T2042, Statement of Farming Activities, or Form T2121, Statement of Fishing Activities.

What are the other expenses associated with buying a car?

Once purchase prices and financing costs are considered, other expenses associated with driving are plugged-in. Sales tax and licensing are some of the first add-ons taxing car-buyers’ budgets. Whether paid at dealerships or submitted directly to motor vehicle departments, sales tax and annual licensing fees must be broken down for accuracy.

How can I keep track of my car expenses?

Use the rates for the year you’re claiming. If you’re making a reimbursement payment to someone, the current rate applies until we provide the new rate. You can keep track of the actual costs of running your vehicle and treat these as a business expense. You need to keep accurate records including details of private and work-related expenses.