Work out the business travel you can claim against SARS.
For sole proprietors and contractors driving to site. Applies the SARS prescribed rate per kilometre under the simplified method.
Sound familiar?
- “You drive between sites all week and want a quick claim figure.”
- “You don't keep the full actual-cost logbook and just want the simplified rate.”
- “You want to know what one month of travel is worth at tax time.”
What this tool does
Multiplies your business kilometres by the SARS prescribed per-kilometre rate (currently R4.95/km). This is the simplified method - it does NOT use the deemed-cost table, which requires a full logbook and a fixed-cost/fuel/maintenance breakdown by vehicle value band.
This uses the SARS prescribed rate per kilometre - the simplified method for self-employed people using their own vehicle for work. It is an estimate of your deductible travel expense, not cash paid to you by SARS. If you want to claim actual costs you must keep a full logbook and use the deemed-cost table instead.
What counts as business travel?
- Travel between job sites, clients, or suppliers during the working day
- Trips to the merchant or yard for a specific job
- Visiting a client to quote or inspect
Normal commuting from home to your usual place of work does not count.
What the law actually says
- •SARS publishes a prescribed rate per kilometre each tax year under section 8(1)(b)(ii) of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962. Using the prescribed rate is the simplified alternative to the deemed-cost table.
- •Either way you must keep an accurate logbook recording the date, opening and closing odometer, distance, and reason for the trip. Travel between home and your usual place of work is private travel and not claimable.