Fuel tax credit rate change for heavy vehicles

The ATO advises that from 1 July 2010 the fuel tax credit rate for heavy vehicles that use fuel such as diesel or petrol and travel on public roads is 15.543 cents per litre. This rate change is due to an increase in the road user charge.A heavy vehicle is either of the following:

• a vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of greater than 4.5 tonne
• a diesel vehicle acquired before 1 July 2006 with a GVM equal to 4.5 tonnes or more.

To substantiate any fuel taxc credit claim, you will need to keep records that show you acquired the fuel and how you used it. The ATO advises that examples of acceptable records include:

• fuel dockets;
• invoices; and
• log books.

You will need to keep these records for five years from when you made your claim.For more information on fuel tax credit rates for heavy vehicles, visit the ATO website.