How do I calculate the ‘company car’ fringe benefit after the car has been fully depreciated?
21 April 2015
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Posted by: Author: SAIT Technical
Author: SAIT Technical Q: I would like
guidance on the taxable benefit on a company car. The company bought a company car for a staff member. The
monthly taxable benefit is reflected on the payslip and the tax calculated. The
car is depreciated over 5 years and the finance is also over 5 years. The company car is also under a maintenance plan that
expires after the 5 years. The taxable benefit was thus calculated on this
basis. How must the taxable benefit be calculated after the 5
years, if the staff member continues to use the car?
A: The determined
value of the vehicle will remain the same irrespective of whether the
maintenance plan expires, as para 7(4)(a)(i) refers to the value inclusive of
the maintenance plan at the time the motor vehicle is acquired. Note
that the rate applied in such instance is the lesser rate of 3,25% as it
recognised the higher cost acquisition cost due to the maintenance plan.
However the original cost, which is fixed, becomes proportionally less due to
the time value of money. Depreciation on the car is only considered in terms of
proviso (a) to para 7(1) where the employee received the use of a previously
used vehicle of the employer which that employee did not previously use. In
such instance the value of the vehicle will be reduced by 15% per annum on the
reducing balance method for each full 12 months in the period from date of
acquisition by the employer to when such employee received the use of the
vehicle. Disclaimer: Nothing in this query and answer should be construed as
constituting tax advice or a tax opinion. An expert should be consulted for
advice based on the facts and circumstances of each transaction/case. Even
though great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the answer, SAIT do
not accept any responsibility for consequences of decisions taken based on this
query and answer. It remains your own responsibility to consult the relevant
primary resources when taking a decision.
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