Are you self-employed, struggling with overwhelming paperwork and looming tax deadlines? 

Do you keep manual logbooks and have a workspace overflowing with annoying receipts? 

Does it feel impossible to find time to be with your loved ones?

We have a solution for you! 

Our compact five-minute buyers’ guide will direct you through an analysis of two technologies, each offering a solution to tax-day worries.

Starting at https://gofar.wtdevsite.com, we explore GOFAR app’s award-winning and revolutionary approach to claiming vehicle tax.

Next, we navigate https://quickbooks.intuit.com/au/self-employed/, where we find our way around the Quickbooks Self-Employed app, which offers an array of services, including logging kilometres.

Comparison Guide: Which App is Best For Tracking Work-Related Travel?

As a business owner, you probably travel far and wide every day. This means keeping very detailed records of your work-related travel every time you get in your car. 

Along with all of your other business demands, it’s probably a task which usually ends in frustration and incomplete tax records, losing you money each year.

As Roger Delano Hinkins so eloquently put it, “One must, however, not just work hard. One must work smart….”

A large number of GOFAR’s users are self-employed sole traders and contractors, managing businesses with comprehensive needs, who have chosen to work smart.

#1: The GOFAR App

GOFAR’s innovative approach consolidates various, significant functions into a single, navigable platform, making it more than just a distance tracker. We love how the app identifies the needs of vehicle owners and addresses global issues single-handedly.

“I am an Uber driver and bought GOFAR for its automated logbook function and fuel economy statistics for tax purposes. I am delighted to note that it has many other equally useful and important functions and features and I have recommended it to others. Easy to install, easy to set up. An investment well worth the modest cost”. John Adams

More sole trade users like John Adams have rated GOFAR with 5 stars. Read similar reviews and start your FREE trial.

GOFAR Pros and Cons

PROS	CONS
Plug-and-Forget Adapter: log distances without a phone – your employees can swap vehicles at anytime	Doesn’t Work in Trucks or Older Cars: compatible with cars, utes, vans, SUV’s and minibuses
Made in Australia: developed to be fully compatible with the ATO	Compatibility Testing: ask GOFAR to check your vehicle for compatibility
Diagnostics Tool: minimise breakdowns and stay in control of your vehicle/s	Subscription Fees: quickly offset by savings
Drive Smart with Ray: improve fuel efficiency and save your business on running costs	Limited Customisation: some business needs may require more complex and extensive options
Accurate Records: send ATO compliant reports and expenses within seconds to your accountant	Basic Accounting Feature: expense management tool stores and records your receipts
30 Day Free Trial for Businesses: GOFAR For Enterprise

Overall:

GOFAR’s precision and adaptability make it the first choice for self-employed individuals looking for a seamless tax solution.

Clever tools like the plug-and-play adapter ensure not only accuracy but compliance with strict ATO guidelines.

Additional features such as the diagnostics tool and intelligent Ray, elevate its utility for small businesses and traders, making it well worth the affordable subscription fee.

Despite it not being fully customisable, the GOFAR app addresses a substantially wide scope of vehicle tax management, ensuring meticulous tax records, substantial savings and a greener world.

Enquire now about GOFAR For Enterprise, and revolutionise your approach to vehicle tax claims.

#2: Quickbooks Self-Employed

A versatile accounting software, available both as an app and desktop tool.

Quickbooks Self-Employed secures second place, as a robust and trusted option for managing finances effectively. While it does have a distance tracking feature, its focus is on simplifying financial management, making it an attractive option for self-employed individuals seeking a comprehensive suite of features.

“I love the different features QB Self-Employed has: Auto mileage tracking, invoicing, tax checklist, it tells you when an invoice has been viewed and paid, transaction tracking, business reports, and it syncs with turbo tax”. – Colleen, US

Read more reviews to get a better feel for Quickbooks Self-Employed

Quickbooks Self-Employed Pros and Cons

PROS	CONS
Expense Tracking: categorise transactions & capture receipts on the go	Tax Method Limitations: calculates allowance using the Cents per Kilometer / Simplified Expense Method
Simplified Tax Preparation: developed to be fully compatible with the IRS – send reports quickly to your accountant	Complex Tool: ideally, users must have basic accounting knowledge
Integration and Connectivity: link with bank accounts and external software	Monthly Fees: the total annual cost can be prohibitive
Key Features: robust reporting tools, easy customisation, mobile app	Expensive Fees: users need to have an active subscription to download the app
Logs Business Journeys: track your business travel in one easy interface	Relies on Phone’s GPS: lack of an inbuilt GPS results in inaccurate records
30 Day Free Trial: Accounting Software for Sole Traders and Freelancers | QuickBooks Australia (intuit.com)

Overall:

Quickbooks Self-Employed is our second choice, due to its wide array of features which are tailored to small businesses. We love how the app incorporates a vehicle tracker for distances travelled, creating an all-in-one solution for your business needs.

However, it’s essential to note that this US-based software prioritises compliance with the Internal Revenue Service, potentially resulting in inaccurate tax records for users operating under the Australian Taxation Office’s guidelines.

Quickbooks Self-Employed is more effective as an accounting software tool, whilst the distance tracking feature feels like a later addition, introduced to address a tax need.

To explore how Quickbooks Self-Employed can enhance your business operations and to understand the pricing structure, take a look at their website.

What Does GOFAR Do?

Created by an Australian Space Engineer, GOFAR is committed to ensuring that taxpayers maximise their tax claims, through innovation and practicality, which addresses changing needs. Think of GOFAR as your vehicle’s perfect personal assistant.

GOFAR’S

• a comprehensive business feature is popular amongst sole traders, freelancers and contractors. GOFAR enables users to effectively track business trips, record expenses, diagnose mechanical issues, stay on top of vehicle registration, track vehicle depreciation and manage fuel consumption.
• plug-and-forget adapter accurately logs all trips and expenses, seamlessly syncing with your vehicle. All you do is swipe to classify the trip.
• instant, accurate reports can be downloaded or exported at any time and sent directly to the ATO or your company accountant.
• the award-winning Ray feature provides real-time feedback on your speed, driving style, emissions and fuel usage, reducing the risk of accidents and saving your company money.

How Does Quickbooks Self-Employed Track Work-Related Travel?

Quickbooks Self-Employed is designed as an American-based accounting software, offering a comprehensive suite of financial services which include a basic distance tracker. It is important to point out that users are recommended to have a fundamental understanding of accounting or bookkeeping.

With Quickbooks Self-Employed,

• you must pay a monthly fee to download the app onto your phone and connect your phone’s GPS and data to the app.
• every time you drive your car, you must remember to take your phone with you and open the app to prompt distance tracking.
• all trips are recorded in segments, allowing users to access each trip and classify it by swiping left or right to indicate personal or business-related kilometres.
• distance travelled is calculated using the Cents per Kilometre, or Simple Expense Method, which uses a single ATO or IRS approved rate to calculate all vehicle costs.
• capture and categorise all receipts and expenses into an expense report.
• recorded information is synced at tax-time, so you can send it to your accountant or download it using an integrated accounting tool.

Comparison Table

FEATURES	QUICKBOOKS SELF-EMPLOYED APP	GOFAR APP
Accurate GPS Tracking and Trip Classification	Not always   Relies on your phone’s GPS signal and data, which can be unreliable	Yes   Inbuilt GPS plug-and-forget adapter, allows efficient tracking which doesn’t rely on phone signal
Plug-and-Forget Device	No	Yes Plug it into your diagnostics port and forget about it
Vehicle Diagnostics Ray Device	No	Yes Ray intelligently reminds users to drive safely and save on fuel
Instant Reporting	Yes Being an accounting software system, users have access to stored reports	Yes Users can instantly access tax-compliant reports at any time on the phone or backed up on the cloud
Straightforward to Use and Download	No The distance tracking feature is part of an extensive suite of accounting tools	Yes Easily installed and configured within minutes, with an easy-to-navigate interface
Compatibility With Other Apps	Yes Can be used with iOS and Android platforms but works best with finance apps.	Yes Fully compatible with iOS and Android and offers lifetime updates
Cost	Varied fees, with increasingly expensive tiers.   Basic – $25 p/mth or $270 p/yr	Annual fees per vehicle: (additional cost for device)   $90 p/yr

Questions to Ask Before You Decide

I Want a Simple System to Track My Trips – Which App is Best for My Needs?

Any app should make record-keeping easy and hassle-free, whilst ensuring accuracy.

If all you need is a reliable tool for tracking your business travel and recording your expenses, then the GOFAR app should be your first choice, because it:

⭐is easy to install  ⭐is simple to understand  ⭐requires minimal data input

I Have Always Used a Manual Logbook. Why Should I Change Now?

The drudgery of keeping a manual logbook is unnecessarily complicated when there are efficient, automated options available with undeniable advantages.

➤ GOFAR eliminates human error, increasing your tax claim, as well as saving you time and money on vehicle-related costs. Financial management and productivity of your business are instantly improved.

➤ Quickbooks Self-Employed will streamline your financial responsibilities, increasing productivity and free time.

Is Either App Compatible With a Desktop?

The GOFAR app is specifically designed for mobility, so isn’t compatible with any other device format. Its advanced features make it highly functional, minimising the need for a desktop interface.

In contrast, Quickbooks Self-Employed offers varying formats, which include a mobile app and a Quickbooks Online option for desktops.

However, each format requires monthly fees and therefore cannot be accessed for free.

The Bottom Line

Being self-employed demands efficiency and innovation, so utilising advanced technology can make all the difference. Intelligent apps like GOFAR help you reclaim valuable time and resources, to spend on the things that really make a difference, such as growing your business.

Whilst Quickbooks Self-Employed offers basic distance tracking and tax record maintenance, it comes with the requirement of purchasing a costly suite of services and assumes some level of accounting knowledge, which some users may find challenging.

The GOFAR app, however, stands out for its comprehensive approach to effortlessly tracking every kilometre travelled and expense incurred, within an easy-to-use interface, simple installation and responsive customer support team.

With precise distance recording and real-time vehicle diagnosis, it is the preferred choice amongst self-employed individuals who travel 5,000 kms or more per year.

GOFAR, proud winners of the Australian Road Safety Award, will:

• protect your business from unnecessary costs,
• protect your vehicle by regularly monitoring your vehicle’s health,
• protect you by giving you live feedback on your driving style,
• protect the environment by educating you on your fuel emissions,
• make business trips fun by entering you onto a global leaderboard for efficient and safe driving.

Get GOFAR now and let your business go far!