What the ATO actually asks for in your Tesla logbook

If you use your Tesla for work, a logbook is one of the records the ATO describes for working out how much of your driving was for work. The rules sound dry until you have to rebuild twelve weeks of trips from memory at tax time. Here is a plain-English look at what a logbook records, and how CAILO Connect keeps each piece for you.

The twelve-week period

The ATO’s logbook method asks for a continuous record of at least twelve weeks that is representative of how you normally use the car. The detail, including who can use the method and how long a logbook stays current, is set out on the ATO’s logbook method page. Your tax agent can tell you how it applies to you.

What each trip record holds

For every trip, the record holds the date, the odometer reading at the start and end, the kilometres travelled, and the purpose. For work trips, the purpose is most useful when someone reading it later can tell why you made the trip. “Client meeting, Parramatta” says far more than “work”.

Many people also keep receipts for running costs such as charging, tyres and servicing alongside the logbook.

How CAILO Connect keeps it

Every trip your Tesla makes is recorded from the car itself, with the date, start and end odometer, distance and route already filled in. You mark each trip as business or personal and add a purpose, or let Saved Locations classify trips that end at places you have named. Receipt photos can be pinned to the trips and charging sessions they belong to.

When your tax agent or bookkeeper asks, export a PDF of your trips, a CSV that opens in Excel, or a single zip with everything for the period they need. CAILO Connect keeps a complete record. Your tax agent decides how to use it.

General information only, not tax, financial or legal advice. CAILO is not a registered tax agent, so speak to one before relying on this for a claim or return.