Need to transport a car?

Experts at car transport anywhere across Australia, trusted by thousands of vehicle owners with door to door services.

9.8 · 940 reviews

Car type

Sedan Hatchback Wagon Micro Cabriolet/Coupe Supercar SUV Utility 4WD Van Campervan

Get Prices

$1,280

Mercedes 250

Fraser Rise, VIC

Rivett, ACT

10

Alan

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

Adam's service was prompt and at a competitive price. Would not hesitate in using his company again.

Smooth leather interiors, the latest tech, and breath-taking acceleration - there’s certainly a lot to love when it comes to high end cars. While it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of hitting the road with your polished chrome wheels, there are a few (perhaps less exhilarating) things you need to consider before getting behind the wheel.

Whether you’re looking to buy a brand new luxury car or are importing from overseas, there are a number of costs and government taxes you should be aware of. One of those costs is Luxury Car Tax (LCT).

In this article, we’re covering all of your questions and concerns around Luxury Car Tax in Australia - keep reading for more.

Contents

• What is luxury car tax?
• What is the luxury car tax threshold?
• What is classed as a luxury car?
• How is the LCT value of a car determined?
• How to calculate luxury car tax
• Why is there a luxury car tax in Australia?
• How to avoid LCT in Australia
• What cars are exempt from LCT?
• Will luxury car tax be abolished in Australia?
• Transporting a vehicle

What is luxury car tax?

If you’re in the market for a luxury car, there’s a fairly good chance you'll be up for the Luxury Car Tax, or LCT as it’s commonly known.

LCT is a fee paid on the importing or sale of luxury vehicles. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) deems any car valued more than the LCT Threshold to be a luxury car.

While LCT is applied only to dealerships and those importing luxury vehicles, car dealers usually pass on the cost of LCT to the buyer as part of the overall cost of the vehicle.

What is the luxury car tax threshold?

The LCT threshold will vary depending on the year and fuel efficiency of your vehicle.

The following table lists the LCT thresholds broken down by the financial year the car was imported, acquired or sold and whether it’s considered fuel efficient or not.

NOTE: There are some exceptions to LCT - we’ll get to those later.

What is classed as a luxury car?

When most people think of luxury cars, they envisage a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Rolls Royce.

Unfortunately, in the eyes of the Australian Government, luxury cars often aren’t quite as ‘luxe’ in the traditional sense of the word.

The truth is, it isn’t just sports cars or limos that are impacted by LCT. The Luxury Car Tax applies to any vehicle that sits above the LCT threshold.

How is the LCT value of a car determined?

The LCT value of a car includes:

• GST and any customs duty
• Dealer delivery charges
• Standard and statutory warranties
• Additional items, such as accessories, modifications and treatments to the car before delivery or under an arrangement with the supplier or an associate of the supplier.
• Fleet rebates, run-out model support incentive payments and any other motor vehicle incentive payments that are third-party consideration.

The LCT value does not include:

• LCT included in the sale
• Other Australian taxes, fees or charges such as stamp duty, transfer fees and registration
• Compulsory third-party insurance (CTPI)
• Extended warranties
• Costs associated with financing the purchase of the car
• Service plans

How to calculate luxury car tax

LCT is currently a 33% tax on the amount above the luxury car threshold

Use this simple formula to work out LCT:

(LCT value − LCT threshold) × 10 ÷ 11 × 33%

The reason to times by 10 and then dividing by 11 is to remove the GST component before getting to the final payable figure.

Example:

You buy a new car with an LCT value including GST of $100,000 in the 23/24 financial year. In this case the car is not considered fuel efficient so the LCT threshold is $76,950.

($100,000 - $76,950) x 10 ÷ 11 x 33% = $6,915

Let’s break it down:

1. Subtract the LCT threshold: $100,000 - $76,950 = $23,050

2. Remove the GST component: $23,050 x 10 ÷ 11 = 20,954.55

3. Find the payable LCT: $20,954.55 x 33% = $6,915

In this case, there is a total of $6,915 LCT to pay.

Why is there a luxury car tax in Australia?

The LCT was introduced in July 2000 when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) came into effect. It replaced the wholesale sales tax - a tax that had applied to luxury vehicles since the 1980’s.

Designed to protect Australian-manufactured vehicles, the LCT initially impacted limousines, sports cars and other prestige vehicles.

In fact, when the LCT threshold was was first brought in, only two Australian-made models were applicable for the tax - the Holden Caprice and the Ford LTD

Nowadays, LCT is applied to more family vehicles than actual luxury cars. This has led to calls from the wider public to abolish the tax completely.

How to avoid LCT in Australia

While there’s no real way of avoiding LCT, there are some ways you can minimise the amount of LCT you have to pay:

Choose a fuel efficient car. Luxury cars with better fuel efficiency have a higher LCT threshold - meaning you pay less. This is an effort by the Australian Government to encourage buyers to select cars that are kinder to the environment.

Consider a trade-in. Trade-ins can reduce the overall taxable value of your new luxury car. Where possible, leverage your old vehicle to stay under the LCT threshold.

Negotiate with LCT thresholds in mind. Negotiating price is a pretty standard part of the car buying or selling process. By keeping the LCT thresholds front of mind during these negotiations, you’re more likely to settle on a price that minimises or even removes the impact of LCT.

What cars are exempt from LCT?

There are a few vehicles that are exempt from LCT including commercial vehicles, cars designed with the principal purpose of carrying passengers, and emergency service cars.

Business vehicles for primary industries may also claim a reduction of the tax up to 8%. There are similar reductions available for those working in tourism.

Eligible persons with disability may also present a declaration to a motor vehicle supplier so they don’t have to charge LCT.

The ATO states the additional exemptions from LCT:

• Where the recipient has quoted an ABN in the approved format
• To a car that has not been imported and was manufactured more than 2 years before the supply
• Where the car was imported more than 2 years before the supply
• To a car exported as a GST-free export
• To the LCT value that LCT has already been paid on
• When an endorsed public institution (museum, gallery or library that is registered for GST and endorsed as a deductible gift recipient) either

• • imports a car that is a work of art or collectors' piece for the sole purpose of public display.
  • sells a car that was purchased as a work of art or collectors' piece for the sole purpose of public display to another endorsed public institution that also intends to use that car solely for public display.

Will luxury car tax be abolished in Australia?

Unfortunately there are no plans to abolish Luxury Car Tax in Australia.

Despite calls from various groups and organisations to scrap the tax entirely, the Australian Federal Government has announced that LCT will be updated and expanded upon in 2025 /2026.

From this time, the definition of a ‘fuel-efficient vehicle’ will be tightened - meaning more vehicles will be pushed out of the fuel efficient category and will pay a higher LCT.

Is a luxury car really worth the LCT?

As it stands, buying or importing a luxury car in Australia comes with its fair share of costs. But, only you know whether this is a price worth paying, or if it’s a stretch too far.

Transporting a vehicle

If you’re planning on buying a new car (luxury or otherwise) the team at Upmove can help get it safely to your driveway - at the best possible cost. You can find a reliable, affordable car transport services for both local and interstate car transport moves.

And, don’t worry, you won’t find any surprise costs, taxes or expenses here.

Need to transport a car?

Experts at car transport anywhere across Australia, trusted by thousands of vehicle owners with door to door services.

9.8 · 940 reviews

Car type

Sedan Hatchback Wagon Micro Cabriolet/Coupe Supercar SUV Utility 4WD Van Campervan

Get Prices

$1,280

Mercedes 250

Fraser Rise, VIC

Rivett, ACT

10

Alan

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

Adam's service was prompt and at a competitive price. Would not hesitate in using his company again.