Remember to record your motor vehicle odometer reading on 1 March
If you receive a travel allowance from an employer or principal, you can claim a deduction on assessment of your annual income tax return for the use of a private motor vehicle for business purposes.
What do you need to do to complete your logbook? Firstly, record your motor vehicle’s odometer reading on 1 March, i.e. on the first day of a tax year. Secondly, make sure that you keep a logbook throughout the year.
Note that it is not necessary to record details of private travel but you must record details of business travel. You may make use of the SARS eLogbook, simply download the logbook.
The latest logbook for next year was added on the Travel eLogbook webpage:
- 2024-25 SARS eLogbook for the 1 March 2024 – 28 February 2025 assessment year and filing season starting 1 Jul 2025
- 2023-24 SARS eLogbook for the 1 March 2023 – 29 February 2024 assessment year and filing season starting 1 Jul 2024
Frequently asked questions
Can my tax practitioner complete my travel logbook for me
The answer is no. Taxpayers would view this as dishonest because they are supposed to complete the logbook themselves throughout the year. Tax practitioners cannot "fabricate" logbooks for taxpayers.
What is a travel logbook
You are now required to keep a log of all your travels. You are required to keep a diary of all your travels. In the logbook, specify if the trip was for work or personal reasons to qualify for a deduction.
If you lack a logbook, claiming a deduction is impossible. Determine the claimable amount at this moment. Without a logbook, a deduction is unattainable. You can now ascertain the sum you can claim.
Can I claim travel allowance without a logbook
Top Tip: Without a logbook you won't be able to claim the cost of business travel against your travel allowance. Thirdly, record your motor vehicle's closing odometer reading on the last day of February (28/29) of the next year, i.e. on the last day of the applicable tax year.
How does a travel allowance work
A travel allowance is money given by an employer to an employee for using their own car for work. SimplePay has a feature to help with the tax and reporting rules for travel allowances.
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