Australians are busy people.

Like everyone else, our days are spent working, exercising, running errands, managing our families and paying our taxes.

How we do things in our day-to-day lives may differ, but one little thing just seems to stay the same – TAX!

That little three letter word can be the difference between a really good, productive day and an awful, stressful day spent rifling through stacks of papers, receipts and little crumpled notes with illegible numbers scrawled on.

You haven’t been consistent in recording your work travel in your manual logbook and now the dreaded deadline is looming!

Some days, it was just too inconvenient to stop and jot down the start readings on your odometer; other days, you just completely forgot!

But now, it’s crunch time!

There are gaps in your logbook that need to be filled with data you just don’t have!

You’ve tried your best to read up on the process to ensure that you are compliant, but you still don’t understand:

• half the requirements
• how to calculate your tax claim
• if you’re even eligible to claim for work-related journeys

If the scenario above sounds horrifyingly familiar, then you are in the right place!

We are going to explore the notion that any logbook app is better than a spreadsheet, by analysing the two systems so that you will be clear about which one is better for you.

Manual Method: Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet

You may prefer the familiar reliability of a good, old-fashioned Excel Spreadsheet.

Perhaps you find it easy to navigate the pages; it’s accessible in remote areas and already on your computer.

The good news is that using a manual system, such as an Excel Spreadsheet, is an accepted method of logging your car journeys.

Several car logbook versions using the Excel Spreadsheet are available, or you may create your own format so long as it is compatible with the Australian Taxation Office regulations.

Key Points for Excel Spreadsheets:

Data Organisation and Visualisation

The Excel Spreadsheet comes equipped with various functions, enabling you to perform complicated calculations and entries quickly and accurately, making it a useful, if time-consuming, system for keeping a logbook.

You can keep multiple spreadsheets in one document, allowing you to analyse data thoroughly across one system.

Customisation and Editing

It can be customised according to your particular data records.

You can create charts and graphs for easy visualisation of your journeys.

Easily amend data at any time, import information to multiple formats and export data to colleagues and accountants.

Formulas and Calculation

It is essential to understand the formula function.

Once you have mastered this and saved all the correct information, inputting your daily data becomes easier.

This is the reason why Excel is used so widely by accountants.

Accessibility

You can have your logbook saved on each of your devices, so you can access your logbook at any time and anywhere, including remote places with bad WiFi signals.

It’s worth noting that compatibility on some devices may make this task challenging.

Automatic Logging with the GOFAR App

Technology is all around us and we are living life faster than ever before, so it only seems apt that the tools we use save us precious time.

You are about to discover a little game changer, so nifty and innovative, that it makes “tax day” a breeze AND can even increase the amount you claim on your work-related journeys!

There are several apps available that simplify the process of recording work-related journeys.

They are readily available online and boast various time-saving features that most people find invaluable, such as the ATO-approved GOFAR app.

Key Points for the GOFAR App:

Efficiency and Efficacy

Every time you drive your car, the GOFAR App:

• records the distance travelled
• automatically calculates your claim per journey in real-time
• ensures compliance by using the correct ATO-approved rate

At the end of your journey, all you have to do is swipe right to allocate the journey type as a personal or business trip and GOFAR does the rest for you.

Compliance and Regulation

The app intelligently and accurately records all ATO-compliant data, eliminating the need for manual data entry, which can expose you to inaccuracies.

Auto Reporting

The GOFAR App will not only keep a record of all your journeys but will also calculate all running expenses that you incur every time you drive your car and log these for your reference.

This simplifies the process of filing your tax return, as all reports are readily available and crucially, up to date.

Additionally, the app has an auto-calibration tool that intelligently tracks your car’s health and general maintenance, alerting you of:

• car services due
• smart fuel usage
• smart eco-driving
• potential car problems

Convenience and Reliability

The GOFAR App is always ready to work.

Your car battery charges the plug-in adapter, so even if your phone battery dies, it will continue to log your journey and send the information to your phone.

Which System is Best For You?

Now that we are clear on each method’s functionality, we’ve devised a handy comparison table which considers the features of both systems:

FEATURES	GOFAR APP	EXCEL SPREADSHEET
Type	Digital	Manual
Smart Technology	Yes	No
Automated Reports	Yes	No
ATO Compliant	Yes	Not always
User-friendly	Yes	No
Reliability	Yes	Not always
Accuracy	Yes	Dependant on User
Alerts	Yes	No
Accessibility	Yes	Yes
Free	Tiered	Yes
Customisable	No	Yes
Download now	Logbook – GOFAR	Microsoft Excel: Spreadsheets – Apps on Google Play

If you’re looking for an accurate, convenient and streamlined system, the GOFAR App may be your best option.

It exceeds the cumbersome nature of an Excel Spreadsheet logbook, eliminating the risk of errors and incomplete data entry.

BUT – don’t take our word for it! Here are some real-life users of the GOFAR App, telling us their experience:

I Like the Logbook Feature

“I have been using my Gofar for about four months now and it’s been great. I especially like the logbook feature as I can export it straight to my accountant for tax purposes. I did have a small issue with the unit not logging trips recently but I emailed support and they got me going again straight away, it was a phone issue, not the Gofar unit. Great customer service, thanks Al” – Brett Fiedler

Great Device!

“Great device for keeping a log of your travels, works perfectly, and technical support is great if there are any problems. Definitely the best solution to keep track of travel and fuel spent.” – Anthony John

Want to know more? Click here.

Make the Right Choice

Trying to understand tax rules and ensure tax compliance with a critical deadline looming, can be a cause of distress.

While the Excel Spreadsheet remains an excellent data logging system, it is prone to human error, leaving you open to losing out on thousands of dollars.

However, users of the GOFAR App enjoy a stress-free experience due to the app’s ability to ensure the tax claim complies with the ATO’s regulations.

The GOFAR App not only maximises your tax return, but goes beyond this by ensuring that your vehicle is in optimal health and running efficiently, saving you money and time in the long run!

So – which one is it? Both systems serve the same purpose in markedly different ways.

You may be reluctant to abandon the Excel Spreadsheet system which you’ve been using for years, because, well ……. you’ve always used it and it sort of works.

However, we know that increasingly, Australians are choosing to delete the outmoded Excel Spreadsheet in a transformative shift towards empowering digital systems like the GOFAR App.

If this is you, say HELLO to GOFAR and GOODBYE to tax day tears!