how to buy a car through a business Page 4

Start with purpose, budget, and structure, then choose your weapon: cash, chattel mortgage, finance lease, or a novated lease if there’s salary packaging on the cards.

If you’re GST-registered, you may be able to claim input tax credits on the business-use portion and depreciate the vehicle—your accountant knows the caps and luxury-car booby traps.

Private use can trigger Fringe Benefits Tax for employees or directors, so pick a method (logbook or statutory) and keep records that would make a librarian blush.

Register the car, insurance, and finance in the business name, set a clear policy on personal use, and keep a proper logbook and receipts.

Compare total cost of ownership across lenders and models—interest, insurance, servicing, tyres—and don’t let shiny paint outvote the spreadsheet.

Before signing, get written quotes, do a proper inspection, and have your accountant bless the numbers like a motoring priest.