Making Your Main Residence an Investment Property
Converting a residential property into an investment one is increasingly becoming more common among property owners. Sometimes it is due to circumstances like moving to a different city or property, while other times it is simply a way of earning money from the property. But turning a house into an investment property is not as simple as it sounds. Let’s look at things like depreciation on investment property that you should consider before making the decision.
New Taxes and Deductions
Converting a residential property to an investment property completely changes your tax schedule. The income you now earn from the investment property, like rent, is taxable. However, you may also be eligible for several tax deductions offered by the ATO. These include maintenance cost of the property, interest cost on property loans, and other expenses.
Depreciation Deductions
Depreciation is one of the most important deductions that investment property owners can claim. Depreciation is the loss in value of the property or its assets caused due to the general wear-and-tear that occurs with time. The ATO allows depreciation on residential rental property and investment property as tax deductions.
There are two ways to claim tax deductions for depreciation. Under capital works deduction, you can claim depreciation for all the structural assets in the property. This includes all fixtures that are considered integral parts of the property. The majority of depreciation deductions are covered under capital works. The other category is plants and equipment, which covers the remaining assets within the property.
The depreciation of property works exponentially; new properties lose their value much faster than old ones. Hence, owners of old properties often do not consider depreciation deductions significant tax deductions. However, all tax deductions help the pocket, be it big or small. It is always wise to consult a property expert to form a depreciation schedule for investment property before you convert it to commercial purposes.
Capital Gains
A primary residential property is exempted from capital gains tax (CGT) in Australia. But when that property is converted into an investment property that exemption no longer applies. Various forms of CGT are applicable to the investment property depending on various factors like duration of ownership. Meet with an accountant to understand how to minimise the CGT before you convert your property.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance is one of the absolute necessities for any kind of property. It is also one of the things to consider when converting your home to an investment property. Most home insurance does not cover commercial properties since the risks involved are quite different. So everything, from home itself to the assets within it, will need to be insured again. Meet with an agent to discuss your exact insurance needs.
Conclusion
Converting a residential property to an investment one can certainly be an exciting affair. However, it is important to do it with the right knowledge and planning like depreciation reports. Only then you will be able to maximise your profits.
