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Novated Lease (Salary Packaging)
Novated Leasing is a method of salary packaging a car, under which an employee leases a car and the employer agrees to take on the employee's obligations under the lease, paying the monthly lease rentals from the employee's pre-tax income.
Novated Lease is the most common form of salary packaging a car.
How does a Novated Lease work?
A Novated Lease is a three way agreement between an employer, employee and finance company whereby the employee enters into a Car Lease (Finance Lease) with the financier and the employer agrees to take on the employee's obligations under the lease.
Under this arrangement, the employer pays the monthly lease rentals on behalf of the employee, and provides the vehicle for the employee to use as part of their salary packaging arrangement.
If employment ceases for any reason, or the lease agreement is finalised, the Novation ceases and the obligations assumed by the employer revert back to the employee.
Benefits of a Novated Lease
For Employees:
- Choice - you can choose the car that best suits your needs
- Control - you control the car, including care and maintenance
- Portability - you can take the vehicle and lease with you if you change jobs
- Tax effective – repayments are made out of pre-tax income, so you may require a smaller portion of your income to run the vehicle
- You retain any equity built up in the vehicle, not your employer
- All the other regular benefits of a Car Lease (Finance Lease)
For Employers:
- No residual risk
- No excess vehicles if an employee leaves
- Employer can provide a more attractive remuneration package, and therefore attract the employees they want
- Reduced administration time and costs (compared to company cars)
- Reduced on-costs such as Payroll Tax and WorkCover premiums
- Absolute Financial Services can arrange all aspects of offering Novated Leases to your employees, saving you time and money
Who does a Novated Lease suit?
A Novated Lease will suit any employee who wants to include a motor vehicle as part of their salary package, so long as their employer offers salary packaging as an option for employees.
Tax implications of a Novated Lease
GST is charged on the monthly lease rental and as long as the employer is registered for GST, they can claim this back as an Input Credit.
GST is also charged on the residual value on the lease, and as the Novation reverts back to the employee at the end of the lease, the employee is responsible for paying the GST on the residual.
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) is payable on the vehicle, and this expense is normally passed on to the employee. The amount of FBT depends on the kilometres travelled each year. The higher the kilometres, the lower the FBT.
Where the amount financed is below the Depreciation Limit ($57,009), the employer claims the lease rental as a business expense. Above the Depreciation Limit, they claim the interest charges and depreciation up to the value of the Depreciation Limit ($57,009).
Other options
If you are considering a Novated Lease you may also want to take a look at Hire Purchase (HP), Car Loan or Personal Loan, depending on your circumstances.
Want to know more?
Call us on (03) 9888 9292 and we will be happy to discuss your options with you.
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