FBT (Fringe Benefits Tax) and laptops

[hamishb]

As you are all aware, you can buy a laptop out of pre-tax income, free from fringe benefits tax, annually.

The FBT year ends 31 March each year - so you have approximately 6 weeks to buy a laptop this way (ask your payroll / HR manager).

You must ;) use the laptop primarily for work purposes, and you can only buy one FBT free item per annum.

See Fringe benefits tax - exemption for eligible work-related items (http://www.ato.gov.au/taxprofessionals/content.asp?doc=/content/00143392.htm)

and
Press Release - Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) - Integrity Measures [13/05/2008] (http://www.treasurer.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=pressreleases/2008/048.htm&pageID=003&min=wms&Year=&DocType=0)

It would seem the iPad could fall into this category?

Any thoughts here?

[canonafficionado]

PDAs and similar items have been allowable along with the usual laptops, so whatever exact category the iPad falls under it would seem to be allowed for work purposes.

Now we just have to hope they release it on time to get an order in before the cut-off date!