TAX DEDUCTIONS GUIDE

Tax Deductions That Reduce the Real Cost of Equipment Finance

The exact deductions available depend on your business structure, GST registration status, the type of equipment, and the finance structure you choose (chattel mortgage vs finance lease vs hire purchase). This guide covers the principles, but always confirm the specifics with your accountant for your individual situation.

Equipment finance is not just about acquiring assets. It is also a tax planning tool. The right finance structure combined with correct tax treatment can reduce the effective cost of your equipment by 30% or more. GST credits, depreciation, and interest deductions work together to lower your tax bill significantly.

The real cost of equipment is not the sticker price. It is the price minus the tax deductions.

A $110,000 truck (inc GST) financed by chattel mortgage for a GST registered business can generate over $35,000 in tax savings through GST credit ($10,000), depreciation, and interest deductions. Understanding these benefits is essential to calculating the true cost of ownership.

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WHY CHOOSE US

The Four Main Equipment Finance Tax Deductions

Each deduction reduces your tax burden in a different way. Understanding how they work together helps you and your accountant optimise your equipment purchases.

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GST input tax credits

If you are GST registered and purchase equipment with a chattel mortgage, you can claim the full GST as an input tax credit on your next BAS return. On a $220,000 purchase, that is $20,000 back within weeks.

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Depreciation deductions

As the owner of a business asset, you can claim depreciation as a tax deduction. The rate depends on the asset type and your depreciation method. Trucks and vehicles typically depreciate over 8 years. Heavy equipment varies.

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Interest deductions

The interest component of your equipment finance repayments is a tax deductible business expense. Over a 5 year loan, interest deductions can be significant, particularly in the early years when interest makes up a larger portion of each payment.

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Instant asset write off

For eligible assets costing less than $20,000 (the current threshold until June 30 2026), the full cost can be deducted immediately rather than depreciated over time. This accelerates the tax benefit into the current financial year.

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How Deductions Differ by Finance Structure

The tax treatment varies depending on whether you use a chattel mortgage, finance lease, or hire purchase.

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    Claim GST upfront on next BAS
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    Depreciate the asset over its life
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    Deduct interest on repayments
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    Balloon payment does not affect deductions
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    Asset appears on your balance sheet
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    Most popular structure for GST registered businesses

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    GST claimed progressively each BAS
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    Lease payments deductible as operating expense
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    No separate depreciation claim
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    Residual value affects total deductions
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    Asset may be off balance sheet
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    Suits businesses preferring lower payments

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    GST treatment varies by agreement
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    Interest component is deductible
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    Depreciation claimable on the asset
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    Similar tax profile to chattel mortgage
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    Nominal purchase price at end
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    Common in some industry sectors

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    Full deduction in year of purchase
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    Must cost less than $20,000 (current)
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    Must be installed and ready for use
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    New and used assets qualify
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    No limit on number of assets
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    Threshold drops to $1,000 after June 2026
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

How to Maximise Your Equipment Finance Tax Benefits

Work with your accountant and broker together to optimise the tax outcome.

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Provide us with some basic information about your business and financing requirements via our secure website.

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Your brokers assess your requirements and guide you through gathering the right documents to secure approval quickly.

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Get Pre-Approved
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Receive a clear pre-approval with transparent terms and repayment options that suit your cash flow.

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Your finance broker will work with you to source the best funding offers available and guide your application to success.

RECENT SETTLEMENTS

Real Tax Savings From Equipment Finance

See how we help.

Barinder Singh

Transport Operator

user Non-property owner dollar-circle No deposit clock 24hr turnaround

2025 Tipper Trailer

Transport

$150,000

Barinder needed a new tipper trailer to keep up with growing contract work but didn’t own property and didn’t have a deposit available. Traditional lenders declined the deal based on security requirements.
We structured the finance around the strength of the business income and the asset itself, delivering approval and settlement within 24 hours so the trailer could be put straight to work.

Neil Johnson

Earthmoving Contractor

document-text Low Doc clock 24hr approval

2005 CAT Excavator

Contractor

$60,000

Neil was purchasing a used excavator to support ongoing civil jobs but needed a simple low-doc solution without extensive financials slowing the process down.
We secured approval within 24 hours using a streamlined low-doc structure , allowing him to secure the machine before another buyer stepped in

Bradley Moore

Owner-Driver

user Private sale document-text Low Doc clock 24hr approval

2019 Scania Truck

Contractor

$100,000

Bradley found the right truck through a private seller and needed fast finance to avoid losing the deal. The transaction structure made traditional lenders hesitant.
We arranged a low-doc facility tailored to a private sale purchase and delivered approval inside 24 hours, enabling Bradley to secure the vehicle and get back on the road generating income.

Barinder Singh

Transport Operator

user Non-property owner dollar-circle No deposit clock 24hr turnaround

2025 Tipper Trailer

Transport

$150,000

Barinder needed a new tipper trailer to keep up with growing contract work but didn’t own property and didn’t have a deposit available. Traditional lenders declined the deal based on security requirements.
We structured the finance around the strength of the business income and the asset itself, delivering approval and settlement within 24 hours so the trailer could be put straight to work.

Neil Johnson

Earthmoving Contractor

document-text Low Doc clock 24hr approval

2005 CAT Excavator

Contractor

$60,000

Neil was purchasing a used excavator to support ongoing civil jobs but needed a simple low-doc solution without extensive financials slowing the process down.
We secured approval within 24 hours using a streamlined low-doc structure , allowing him to secure the machine before another buyer stepped in

Bradley Moore

Owner-Driver

user Private sale document-text Low Doc clock 24hr approval

2019 Scania Truck

Contractor

$100,000

Bradley found the right truck through a private seller and needed fast finance to avoid losing the deal. The transaction structure made traditional lenders hesitant.
We arranged a low-doc facility tailored to a private sale purchase and delivered approval inside 24 hours, enabling Bradley to secure the vehicle and get back on the road generating income.

Not Every Business Fits a Bank Template

Major banks often apply rigid policies that do not reflect how transport, construction or agricultural businesses actually operate.

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Asset value & condition

We consider the value, age, and condition of your asset, not just your credit history.

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Business use

Finance solutions tailored to how your equipment supports daily business operations.

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Deposit position

Low-deposit and zero-deposit options available for eligible applicants.

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Repayment capacity

Repayment plans structured around your cash flow and business revenue.

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 Thousands of Australian business owners trust us for fast approvals, flexible terms, and exceptional service. 

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FAQs

Equipment Finance Tax FAQs

Can I claim GST on financed equipment?
Yes, if you are GST registered and use a chattel mortgage or hire purchase structure. The full GST is claimable as an in
How does depreciation work on financed equipment?
If you own the asset (chattel mortgage or hire purchase), you depreciate it over its effective life as determined by the
Is the interest on my equipment loan tax deductible?
Yes. The interest component of chattel mortgage and hire purchase repayments is deductible. For finance leases, the enti
What is the instant asset write off threshold for 2026?
The threshold is $20,000 per asset until 30 June 2026. After that, it drops to $1,000. The asset must be installed and r
Do I need to pay cash to claim the instant asset write off?
No. Financed assets qualify for the instant asset write off regardless of how they are funded. You can finance the asset
Should I speak to my accountant before choosing a finance structure?
Yes. The tax implications of chattel mortgage, finance lease, and hire purchase differ depending on your business struct

Still Have a Question?

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