Ways to Cut Your Tax Bills through Depreciation
You must know that the more you use an item, the lower it becomes in value. You have probably realised, that when you try to sell your used car after one year, you would get a lower value even if it was in very good condition. This universal accounting is called depreciation. In case you own a rental property in Australia, this rule also applies to your property. But there is a flip side to this dark cloud. You can claim tax deductions on the annual depreciation on your property. In case you are not completely aware of the implications of this, read on. Like most tax rules, the rules pertaining to depreciation also have lots of fine print. It is, therefore, recommended that you get the help of professionals. You must hire the services of a tax accountant along with trained Deppro quantity surveyors. Let us discuss a few useful things you can keep in mind.
Assets on Which Depreciation is Permitted
For a rental property that you own, there are two ways of claiming depreciation. The first is on the fixed parts of the property, like the building itself. It would also include all permanent assets built into the house. The second category is referred to as plant and equipment. This includes all additional fittings and fixtures you have installed in your house. Some examples are: upholstery, furniture, electrical appliances, and even ventilation systems.
Here are three easy tips which can help you maximise the tax gains on depreciation:
Tip#1: Add on as Many Fixtures as Possible
Let us say you build an indoor swimming pool. While it would cost you money to build and then maintain, it has a tax benefit as well. This is because it gets added to the plant and machinery segment of your tax depreciation report. The more things you add, the greater are your benefits in two ways. First, these fixtures will provide a better quality of life. Second, you will be able to claim higher tax benefits.
Tip#2: Keep an Eye on Asset Value
When we mentioned plant and machinery above, it had nuances. The ATO recommends different depreciation rates for a tax return Australia. Often, the different slabs are based on the cost of the asset. So a gadget that costs less than $500 might attract depreciation at a different rate compared to the same gadget priced higher than $500. Do consult your tax accountant before you purchase your house fittings.
Tip#3: Benefit from Residual Value Write Off
Property owners often plan on renovating older properties they own. If you are also making similar plans, make sure you have a chat with your tax consultant. The reason we say this, is that it is very likely that you might be removing some old fittings. The written-off value of those fittings could be claimed the same year under depreciation.
Conclusion:
Most property owners have now realised the many benefits of claiming tax deductions due to property depreciation. But simply knowing the broad guidelines might not be enough. You should be on the lookout for legitimate ways to derive the maximum benefit.
