WANT MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET? DEPRECIATION IS THE KEY.
With the end of financial year just around the corner, now is the time to re -visit the tax advantages of owning an investment property. This includes arranging to have a tax depreciation schedule completed on your investment property.
Why is it important to have a tax depreciation schedule completed?
The preparation of a tax depreciation schedule by a qualified quantity surveyor will maximise the tax deductions available to you. Most
importantly, your property does not have to be new to gain the benefits that a tax depreciation schedule can give you.
Understand what you are entitled to.
Over time, items in your property begin to wear out and depreciate in value. The ATO allows property investors to claim tax back for depreciation through wear and tear. The same is true for the structure of the building. Like a property’s interior, buildings also wear out over time. The loss you are entitled to claim for this is called ‘building write off’.
Many plant and equipment items within an investment property may be depreciated over their effective lives.
Such items include:
• Hot water systems and smoke alarms
• Floor coverings, blinds and curtains
• Ovens, cook tops and range hoods
• Light fittings, ceiling fans and air conditioners, and
• Clothes dryers and dishwashers.
There are many other property-related expenses that you may be entitled to claim in addition to depreciation. Such deductible expenses include interest, accounting fees, repairs and maintenance costs, borrowing costs, management fees, legal and accounting fees, insurance, mortgage insurance, rates and capital deductions.
We can recommend a tax depreciation specialist to help you maximise the tax depreciation deductions available to you. Call us and we’ll be more than happy to help. Even the preparation of the report is tax deductible! Most importantly, the schedule will assist your accountant in the timely processing of your income tax return, meaning more money in your pocket sooner.
If you have any questions, or need clarification on any of the above, please contact Anna Marten, our Head of Property Management, on 9651 1666 or anna@guardianrealty.com.au
Important note: Clients should not rely solely on the content of this newsletter. All endeavors are made to ensure the content is current and accurate however, we make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or currency of the content. Readers should seek their own independent professional advice before making decisions.