If you use your car for business then you want to stay on top of your travel and work related expenses. You can do the manual logbook method or you can use an app to help streamline your whole process.
Firstly, what do you need to be recording?
Your logbook must contain:
when the logbook period begins and ends
the car’s odometer readings at the start and end of the logbook period
the total number of kilometres the car travelled during the logbook period
the number of kilometres travelled for each journey. If you make two or more journeys in a row on the same day, you can record them as a single journey
the odometer readings at the start and end of each subsequent income year your logbook is valid for
the business-use percentage for the logbook period
the make, model, engine capacity and registration number of the car.
For each journey, record the:
reason for the journey (such as a description of the business reason or whether it was for private use)
start and end date of the journey
odometer readings at the start and end of the journey
kilometres travelled.
Do you already use an app? Here are five apps we’ve found that may help keep your vehicle log in check.
ATO Logbook - it’s a free smartphone app that is ATO approved
Driversnote App - with a free or subscription based service for greater usability
Vehicle Logger - free with in app purchases and provides a basic logbook only service
Driver Direct Logbook - Developed by Toyota it’s best used for fleet vehicles
Gofar - a subscription based service that needs a car adaptor
Things to consider:
It comes down to your personal circumstances, business kilometres travelled and budget when you choose an app. Check real reviews to discover clues on how well an app really works. Consider how automated you want the app to be and do you need it to be basic or do you want to cover the extras like emissions etc. Is it just for you or for a fleet of vehicles?
Do your research on what will best suit you and your business and what streamlines your processes, not add to them.