FBT 2026 – ATO Scrutiny – Logbooks and Operating Cost Method

Logbooks are the key to substantiating business usage and supporting exemptions, but, only if they exist and are valid! The ATO use a range of tactics to check on the validity of Logbooks, and as Accountants and Employers, it is imperative you do the same.

Logbooks are an essential record keeping requirement for FBT purposes and often a range of other business requirements. However, for a number of reasons they do not exist, cannot be found or safely stored out of sight – but often, funnily enough, the employee knows the business use %.

This session will explain in detail the logbook requirements, both manual and electronic versions, the key errors or misunderstandings, and the definition of operating costs. Practical examples and case studies will be used throughout.

Learning Outcomes:

Key learning outcomes include:

• When a logbook is required
• The logbook requirements – both manual and electronic
• Defining business journeys v private journeys
• The difference between a logbook year and a non-logbook year
• The requirements in a non-logbook year
• The importance of the annual operating cost election
• Logbooks and replacement vehicles
• ATO strategies on reviewing logbooks
• ATO concerns with logbooks
• Understanding the definition of operating costs for novated lease, leased and owned vehicles
• Red flags with operating costs
• Employee contributions when using operating cost method
• How to manage Logbooks from a Policy perspective
• Logbook requirements for Pooled or Shared Vehicles
• The reportable fringe benefit impact

Suited to:

This session is suited to Accounting Firms and all Employers including Corporates, SME’s, Charities, Not for Profits and Local, State and Federal Government.

Suitable for everyone involved in FBT Management and Reporting, from FBT Return preparers and reviewers, including Accountants, Tax Accountants, Financial Accountants, Finance Managers, Payroll Managers, Salary Packaging Managers, Tax Agents, Tax Practitioners and their teams.

You will also be provided with: 

• Access to watch the Live Webinar 
• Opportunities to ask real time questions to the presenter/s
• Poll questions to test your knowledge 
• Access to On Demand recording, which can be viewed multiple times, for as long as required 
• Presenters contact details for follow up questions 
• CPD Quiz (for On Demand recordings)
• CPD Certificate 
• CPD Report – Logged automatically 
• PowerPoint Presentation
• Verbatim Transcript, with Searchability
• Supporting Documentation