Depreciation calculator

Bought a ute, trailer or tools for the business? See roughly what it's worth on paper each year — and what you can claim — using the ATO's standard methods.

What did it cost?

What is it?Method

Bigger claims in the early years — the method most tradies use.

Years owned3 years

Estimated value after 3 years

$18,984

Claimed so far$26,016

Deduction in year 3$6,328

Estimates assume full financial years, 100% business use, and typical ATO effective lives.

Year by year

YearValue at startYou claimValue at end

Year 1$45,000.00$11,250.00$33,750.00

Year 2$33,750.00$8,437.50$25,312.50

Year 3$25,312.50$6,328.13$18,984.38

Year 4$18,984.38$4,746.09$14,238.28

Year 5$14,238.28$3,559.57$10,678.71

Year 6$10,678.71$2,669.68$8,009.03

Year 7$8,009.03$2,002.26$6,006.77

Year 8$6,006.77$1,501.69$4,505.08

What this means

Using the diminishing value method, your $45,000.00 ute or van gives you a $11,250.00 deduction in the first year, with smaller claims each year after. After 3 years it's worth about $18,984.38 on paper, and you've claimed $26,015.63 in total. Most tradies pick this method — bigger deductions early, when the gear is newest.

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