What You Need to Know About Car Limits, LCT and Input Tax Credits
The car limit for the 2026 income year is $69,674. This is the highest value that a taxpayer can use to calculate depreciation on a car where they use the car for work or business purposes and they first use or lease the car in the 2026 income year.
If a taxpayer is buying a car and the price is more than the car limit, the highest input tax (GST) credit they can claim (except in certain circumstances) is one-eleventh of the car limit. For the 2026 income year, the highest input tax credit they can claim is $6,334 (i.e., one-eleventh of $69,674).
The luxury car tax (‘LCT’) threshold for the 2026 income year is $91,387 for fuel-efficient vehicles, and $80,567 for all other luxury vehicles.
Input tax credits need to be claimed within the four year time limit. A taxpayer cannot claim an input tax credit for luxury car tax when they buy a luxury car, even if they use it for business purposes.
Planning to buy a vehicle for your business? Talk with Carrick Aland to make sure you claim the right deductions and avoid tax traps.
Source: NTAA
