Guides

Plain guides to the rules the calculator uses. Each number comes from the same place as the calculator, and links to its official source.

• How a novated lease worksA novated lease pays for a car from your salary before tax. How the tax, GST, FBT and balloon add up, and when a loan or cash costs less.
• The electric car FBT exemptionWhich electric cars pay no fringe benefits tax on a novated lease, the price limit, plug-in hybrids, and the changes announced from 1 April 2027.
• The balloon payment on a novated leaseWhat the balloon or residual is, the ATO minimum for each lease term, how it changes the monthly payment, and your options at the end.
• A novated lease and your home loanHow a bank counts a novated lease, a car loan or a cash purchase when you apply for a mortgage, and how much less it may lend.
• Stamp duty on a new car, state by stateThe motor vehicle duty rates in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT and NT, with worked amounts for electric, hybrid and petrol cars.