Property is a good choice for an investment as it is less prone to risk. It can be profitable if you take the time and make the effort. You will overcome the rigors of the property investment territory if have a vivid vision of your goals. An investment property calculator will help you to estimate the costs of your property investment and the yields you can expect. It’s important to understand the deductions you are entitled to as it can significantly safeguard your cash flow.
These are four major insights when it comes to depreciation.
1. Itemize all repairs and maintenance expenses
Keep on top of all repairs and maintenance expenditures during the year. You can itemize them on a spreadsheet as they happen to make sure you don’t miss anything. Recording these expenses and the type of repair will make it easy to identify what isdepreciable and which are deductible.
Not all depreciation allowances can be claimed at the same rate or over the same timeframe. It’s dependent on what type of repair was undertaken. Provide detailed information when recording any repair and maintenance expenses to maximize your depreciation claim.
2. Old properties Can also Be Depreciated
Many investors inMelbournethink that a property constructed for 30 years does not warrant a depreciation schedule, but this is not always the case. Properties constructed after July 1985 can claim depreciation. Consequently, older investment properties extended or renovated since that time also claim deductions. Most, even in Brisbane,havebenefitted from new kitchens and bathrooms to bring the property up to modern standards. You can claim something with new fixtures and fittings whether you made them or they were the work of a former owner.
3. Scrapping schedule
When you renovate, you are permitted to write off any unclaimed depreciation on the fittings thrown out. This applies when part of the building is being demolished. All you needto generate taxable income before the renovations is to have used the premises as an investment property. A scrapping schedule is prepared by a quantity surveyor like DEPPRO Pty ltd. It should show the amounts not yet claimed on such items.
4. You may be entitled to a retrospective claim
Failure to make a claim in a particular year does not mean you will never be able to do so. You can access up to two years’ worth of deductions, but it’s important not to let it go too long. This will help you not miss out on some significant depreciation benefits.
Depreciation on an investment property will help you to maximize your returns. The above issues will ensure your cash flow is boosted significantly. You will have set your priorities right and created a sound long-term financial strategy.
Conclusion
At DEPPRO PTY ltd, we remove ownership anxiety by simplifying the complexity of depreciation. We offer stress-free services that help you maximize your property returns. We also advise on the rewards of claiming depreciation and how to do it. Contact us today so we can offer support when you need it.
https://deppro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/american-banking-buy-210617.jpg8031200adminhttps://deppro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/deppro_new_logo_final_lowres.pngadmin2021-06-18 08:25:032021-06-18 08:25:03Property Investors Need to Know 4 Things About Depreciation
What makes property investment affordable for the average Australian is tax allowances, and one of the best allowances is depreciation. Rental property depreciation is an essential tax allowance to claim. But you need to understand the tax consequences and how to claim the deductions. You also need to know how this choice will affect your investment returns. Here is a simple guide on how to claim tax allowances for your depreciating rentals.
1. Prime Cost Method
The deduction for each year is calculated as a percentage of the cost when you use the prime cost method. The prime cost method returns a straight-line depreciation amount until the total value of assets is claimed. Greater deductions are returned in the prime cost method in the latter years of the depreciation plan. As an investor, you rely on a more consistent depreciation claim each year. If you are looking to maximize your depreciation claim later, the prime cost method is the best option.
When investors select the prime cost method, they claim a lower but more constant proportion of the available deductions over an extensive period.
2. Diminishing Value Method
The deduction in the diminishing value method is calculated as a percentage of the balance you have left to deduct. In the first few years, this method will return higher depreciation deductions to the property owner. The diminishing value method uses a low value and low costpooling to increase claims on items under $1,000. As an investor, you will claim 100 percent of the value of items worth less than $300. However, depreciation claims drop because the method decreases in value each year until assets run out.
When an investor claimsbased on the diminishing value method, they claim a greater proportion of the asset cost in earlier years of the asset’s life. The investor receives greater deductions in the earlier years of owning the property, and that amount tapers off in later years.
The total depreciation value available over the property’s life is claimed both in the diminishing value and prime cost method. However, the two methods use different formulas to calculate depreciation deductions. They achieve different short-term and long-term cash flow positions for the rental investor. Both ways claim the same total value over forty years. However, different rules are used to achieveeither an aggressive upfront claim or a consistent claim each year.
Seek professional advice before deciding whichmethod is best for your financial situation and investments. A professional will be able to provide a capital allowance and tax depreciation schedule. The tax depreciation schedule will outline the depreciation deductions available to claim using both methods for comparison.
Conclusion
Just as you can claim wear and tear on a car, you can also claim the depreciation of your rental properties. A property investor that produces income is entitled to depreciate the building and the items within it. To ensure that thousands of dollars don’t go unclaimed, hire a qualified quantity surveyor. To avail substantial savings, contact DEPPRO Pty Ltd for a depreciation report on your rental property.
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When you claim depreciation it will help in enhancing cash flow from the property. As per ATO rules, businesses can specify depreciation as an expenditure while reporting the income tax return for a specific period. You may refer to tax depreciation tables 2015 when you mention depreciation as an expense. The amount will help in bringing down your taxable income. All residential property and commercial property have depreciation value. The tax regulatory authority summarizes and compiles these deductions in a report known as the tax depreciation schedule.
Here are the things that you must be aware of about the tax depreciation schedule:
1. Consult with a Quantity Surveyor
When you own an investment property, you will remain eligible to claim several tax deductions. It will directly bring down your taxable income. The deductions may include council rates, management fees, accounting fees, and maintenance expenses among others. Meanwhile, the depreciation deduction is separate as it is non-cash. It implies that you are not required to spend money when you seek to claim a depreciation deduction. Many property owners end up missing it. You should consult with an expert Quantity Surveyor who will help in maximizing claims and preparing a schedule. The main motto of all property investors in Australia is to improve their tax refund as much as possible.
2. Categories
The depreciation schedule contains two categories namely capital works and plant & equipment. Capital works involve the property’s actual cost, structures, renovations, and extensions. It has emerged as a vital part of the schedule. Fencing, paving, and sheds including some other permanent assets are also an integral part of this category. Meanwhile, plant & equipment includes assets such as furniture, flooring, and appliances, among others. The procedure of claim includes inspection of the building and fixing a value to each asset.
3. Lease days
The ATO permits you to claim depreciation till the time property remains available for lease. If you happen to be a new owner of an investment property, you will still be allowed for a claim. In this situation, the claim will mainly depend on the number of days the property remained available for rent. When you consult with experts and accountants, it is necessary to ask about partial claims within the year and pro-data deductions depending on the lease tenure. When you lodge your tax return Australia online, some vital details will already be filled for you.
4. Previous years claim
There are times when property owners tend to miss claiming depreciation deduction for many years due to ignorance. However, now ATO permits adjustment years after the first submission. This implies that you may file an amendment application for the missed depreciation deductions.
Conclusion:
You must be aware of the aforementioned things about your tax depreciation schedule. Soon after you improve your property, you need to hire a professional Quantity Surveyor to help you prepare a detailed claim. Your motto must be to enhance your Yield on investment property. You should not get confused between repairs and capital works improvement. It is because the claim procedure for the two remains different. This is the reason why you need to hire a professional as it will ensure that your deductions are correct.
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Tax allowance has the potential of making investment property profitable and depreciation has emerged as a key allowance. Depreciation residential rental property is a vital tax allowance that you must not forget to claim. Depreciation is a crucial element of a property investor’s investment strategy. It is important to note that depreciation tax breaks remain higher on new properties. However, they are available for all kinds of investment properties whether they are old or new. A large number of investors end up missing out on important tax breaks every year.
Here is how depreciation will work for a new investment property:
What is depreciation?
According to the Australian Tax Office, depreciation can be described as when assets decline in value as they age. It can be described with an example. Let us take an instance of a $2000 desktop computer on which ATO allows four years. It will provide you a $500 deduction every year over a period of four years. You should be aware of how and when to lodge your Australian tax return.
How property investors will claim depreciation?
Property investors will be able to claim for depreciation in two ways namely capital works deductions and depreciating assets. Here is how it can be further described:
Capital works deductions: It is defined as the expense of building an investment property or construction expenditure. This form of depreciation normally spreads for more than 40 years. In other words, it is the duration that ATO claims that a building will last before it will require replacement. For example, if $2000 spent on building a new property, you may make a $5000 tax claim every year for 40 years (2.5 % per year).
Depreciating assets: According to ATO, depreciating assets will include items like electric equipment, computers, furniture, and motor vehicle, among others. For property investors, the depreciating assets will include items like stoves, light fittings, carpets, or even the rubbish bin. ATO has specified all the items that you will be able to claim and for how long when you prepare your property report. It is also known as the effective life by ATO according to which this is how long the assets will last before it will need replacement. For instance, a carpet’s estimated lifespan will be 10 years, the kitchen stove’s life will be 12 years, and the bin’s life will be 10 years.
How you may claim depreciation?
You will be able to claim depreciation using two methods namely the prime cost method and diminishing value method. The prime cost method provides you an equal tax deduction every year over the item’s effective life. Meanwhile, the diminishing value method will offer you bigger claims in the initial years of the item’s effective and smaller claims gradually. A large number of investors opt for the diminishing value method as it provides them with a higher depreciation rate in the beginning. If you face some confusion, your accountant will give you advice as to which method will work best for you.
Conclusion:
The aforementioned details will give you an adequate idea of how depreciation will work for a new property. It is ideal to hire an expert quantity surveyor who will be able to prepare your tax depreciation schedules in an effective manner. They have expertise in identifying the value of construction work. They can also offer you a report on the depreciation rate that will be claimable on your property and when you may claim it. You will then send this report to your account who will claim it on your tax return.
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A large number of first-time property investors find out that they will require a tax depreciation schedule sooner or later. They can obtain the tax depreciation schedule from Quantity Surveyor. Property investors can bring down their tax liability by effectively calculating depreciation tax deduction on rental property. ATO has already recognized Quantity Surveyors as the right individuals to calculate building costs for depreciation purposes. But not all Quantity Surveyors have expertise in depreciation. Depreciation experts possess the right skills to find out if your depreciation claim has been maximized or not.
Here are some interesting facts about QS that you must not overlook:
1. Passion for figures
An expert QS is passionate about numbers and prepares a depreciation schedule by making good use of these numbers. They will also evaluate the income-generating property and plant & equipment assets to assess their depreciable value. Meanwhile, the expenses of structural units like floors, walls roofs, and windows will remain eligible to be claimed as capital works deduction. The rate will be 2.5 percent every year over 40 years for any property where construction began after September 15, 1987. Calculating depreciation for plant & equipment is also not that easy. There are over 1600 depreciable plant & equipment assets identified by ATO. You can hire leading tax depreciation surveyors to assess all depreciable objects.
2. Include all plant & equipment asset
An expert QS has a great eye for detail and conducts a thorough survey of the property. They grab images of all the depreciable objects available inside and outside the building. A professional Quantity Surveyor always ensures to inspect all the objects and catalogue them so that all of them are specified on the owners’ depreciation schedule. They leave no stone unturned when it comes to calculating all the things that are depreciable. It will help in preparing effective tax depreciation reports.
3. Close relationship with accountants and property experts
They build strong relationships with Accountant and property professionals. The friendship among them remains mutual. They all work in the direction to make investment properties perform effectively for the owner. An expert QS assists investors by offering depreciation estimates to property managers and real estate agents for their listed properties. They also connect with property managers to organize an inspection period with tenants when it comes to completing the depreciation schedule.
The moment a QS concludes the depreciation schedule, a copy will be sent to you and your accountant. It will allow you to enter deductions into your annual income tax assessment. Accountants will be able to use your depreciation schedule to assist you to claim deductions consistently. You can also adjust any tax returns that were submitted in the last two years in case deductions were not claimed or maximized.
Conclusion:
An expert QS will utilize tricks like instant write-off and less value pooling to let investors enhance their deduction. An expert QS will also be able to prepare a strata property act depreciation report without any hassle. They adhere to books and work closely with ATO to remain updated on the latest depreciation legislation and tax rules. They strive to follow ATO guidelines religiously to make sure that claims are valid.
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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.
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Renovation is an essential aspect of maintaining and improving a property, but it is not always done for the looks alone. Many property investors opt for renovation before selling or renting the property to another party. But what is often missed is the possible tax claims from renovation, like building tax depreciation. In Australia, renovation costs can be claimed, but there are specific scenarios.
Here is what you must know about renovation and tax claims:
Renovating a Personal Property
Let’s start with the simplest case: you are renovating your primary residence. Since it is a property for personal use and not as a commercial one, this automatically excludes several tax deductions like depreciation. However, if you choose to sell the property later, all renovations carried out in the home are exempted from capital gains tax (CGT). The ATO also allows for renovations on areas adjacent to the primary property (like swimming pool) as long as the total area is less than two hectares. This too is exempted from CGT.
Renovating an Investment Property
Things are different in the case of investment properties. Perhaps the most important distinction is in depreciation. The ATO allows investment property owners to claim depreciation deductions over the cost of general wear and tear that occurs within the property. Now you might be thinking, can you claim depreciation on a rental property? Yes, you can. There are two types of depreciation deductions: the structural components under capital work deductions, and equipment assets installed within the property.
However, there is a very important caveat to this. As per the 2017 legislation, depreciation cannot be claimed in the case of second-hand properties. If you are renovating your property while living in it, and later renting it out, everything within it would be considered second-hand. Even the new equipment installed during a renovation would now be excluded from depreciation deductions. It is therefore imperative to ensure that you are not living in the investment property while carrying out the renovations. Not only this, but the property should also be listed as “for rent” before you actually being the renovations.
The 2017 legislation does offer some exceptions. For instance, rental properties that have undergone a ‘significant’ renovation are exempted from being treated as second-hand when sold. Most importantly, new properties remain unaffected and offer the most significant tax deductions.
‘Scrapping’ During Renovation
Scrapping refers to the removal of assets that are considered depreciable. This includes faucets, carpets, cupboards, etc. During the renovation, most property owners are focussed on claiming depreciation on a rental property and don’t care much about the old assets which are being discarded. However, this is a mistake. The ATO allows investment property owners to claim the depreciation cost of certain items as tax deductions. This means that you could claim the depreciation of the old items you have removed from your property in the same year as the renovation.
Conclusion
Renovation can change the entire appearance of your property, but it also carries some importance for the state of your finances. Carrying out renovations with the right knowledge from Deppro Perth can allow you to save a significant amount of money.
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Quantity surveyors are the people who eat, breathe, drink, and sleep depreciation. Both first-time investors and regular investors have a need for the high quality quantity surveyors that can be hired from places like Deppro Victoria for depreciation reports. Quantity surveyors are come up with the best depreciation schedules to save some of your hard-earned money from draining away.
So, here are some amazing facts about these super depreciation controllers who can get some dollars back to your pockets again:
1. Number Passion:
Quantity surveyors have a knack for numbers which they use efficiently to determine a perfect depreciation schedule. They take into account all the equipment assets to calculate the actual depreciation value that can be filed. This may sound simple but in reality it is a complex process that involves lots of calculations and deep thinking. Hiring a quantity surveyor to determine the appropriate values and crunch the numbers will deliver the best possible depreciation schedule.
2. They Try to Include Everything Possible:
People often do not have full knowledge of all the things that can be added to a depreciation schedule, but this is not the case when you talk about experts. Quantity surveyors conduct a detailed property inspection and take all the essential pictures capturing the assets present inside and outside the house that can be put up for depreciation. They know exactly how to seek out depreciating assets for tax purposes which may just look like a piece of trash to normal people. They make sure that they find out all such things that can be listed down for depreciation.
3. Good Relations with Accountants and Property Specialists:
Quantity surveyors have a good working relationship with property professionals and accountants, and they can work together to derive the best for the property owners. Property managers can help by inspecting the property to finalise an adequate depreciation schedule, and once it is finalised, it is further sent to the accountants for detailed scrutiny. Accountants can help you adjust the deductions and reduce the amount of tax paid by you on an annual basis. Also, they can help you claim the Deppro tax depreciation and adjust tax returns if at for any reason you failed to file for deductions for the previous two years.
4. They Go by the Rule Book
Quantity surveyors abide by the rule book. May it be the ATO or the professional industry association, they keep themselves updated with the latest happenings and amendments made for tax rulings and other depreciation claims. Also, they make sure that they follow the ATO guidelines to make legit and sure-shot depreciation claims.
Conclusion
A professional quantity surveyor can bring in a huge difference when it comes to pinning down an adequate depreciation schedule. They are the ones who can help the investors save a lot of money by filing Deppro QLD claims that an investor stands eligible for. They tend to be highly beneficial for your property investment goals.
https://deppro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/accurate-builder-equipment-1573821.jpg8011200adminhttps://deppro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/deppro_new_logo_final_lowres.pngadmin2020-10-13 02:15:312020-10-13 02:19:154 Interesting Facts about Specialist Quantity Surveyors
Depreciation can never be a sole factor for an investor to construct a new investment property. However, it does impact the cash flow of your property. Not to mention, an expert quantity surveyor will help you discover depreciating assets for tax purposes. Investors generally demolish their family home to construct a duplex and live in one part and rent out the other section. It may cost a little more to construct a duplex than a solo freestanding house. But it is more economical than constructing two single freestanding houses.
Here are some factors that you should not overlook:
What is a duplex?
It is a residential home that has got two units under the same roof. The two units however share a common party wall that separates the building into two different units. Each unit is considered as a separate home with its own facilities, entrance, and yard. With a duplex, there is the advantage of a greater asset portfolio and higher equity. It can help in funding future projects and lets you accomplish your property goals much earlier.
Steps in constructing an investment property
There are various steps that need to be followed when constructing an investment property. You must ensure that you have acquired experts. The house that you seek to demolish should be a primary place of residence. It should not be a family home. You need to demolish it as the duplex must be constructed on vacant land. The investor must have a scrapping report which will let the investor claim depreciation on investment property. This report will help you to save thousands of dollars by way of claiming an instant tax deduction for scrap value being decided by an expert quantity surveyor.
Development application:
An expert architect will help in designing the home for the property investor. They should also help the investor through the essential development application process with the council. In case the investor plans to construct an off the plan house, a Complying Development Certificate can be utilized instead of a DA. This will help to streamline the procedure and reduce the lag time. You must evaluate depreciation on residential rental property in a bid to make an effective depreciation claim.
Occupancy certificate:
During the process of construction, you must establish contact with the builder so that you can stay updated on the construction progress. You must ensure that the construction team are experts who have a license and previous experience. It will ensure a top-quality final product. After the project is over, it is necessary to get hold of an occupation certificate. The certificate will help in authorizing the occupation and use of a new unit. It is significant because it will ensure that the property becomes habitable.
Conclusion:
Often financial institutions or banks may make it mandatory to seek the services of quantity surveyors. An expert quantity surveyor from Deppro Victoria will also prepare the property tax depreciation schedule for the property investors. The cost reports are required by banks to understand the development expenditure.
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One of the most popular trends in the real estate world recently is co-ownership. A rising number of property investors are choosing to own properties together, and there are some great reasons behind it. Co-ownerships of properties are increasing the purchasing power, which is particularly significant in large cities. Co-ownership also relieves the burden of maintaining a property. The cost of repair and maintenance could be carried by multiple parties instead of one person.
But beyond all of this, co-ownership can also assist in claiming depreciation on property, giving a chance to depreciate more assets at a higher rate. Let’s understand how this works.
What is a split report?
A split report, as the name suggests, splits the value of the assets in proportion to each co-owner’s interest. We calculate depreciation on rental property or private property only after the split. Thus, a split report allows for tax depreciation based on the interest of each co-owner, instead of an aggregate depreciation.
The rationale behind the idea is quite clear. As we know, tax depreciation is a process where the depreciation in the cost of assets within a property is considered as another expense, thus allowing for larger tax returns. When a split report comes into the picture, the distribution of assets too is made according to the percentage of ownership of each co-owner. This increases the number of assets eligible for a write-off or a low-value pool.
The whole tactic accelerates the depreciation benefits for the co-owners, making it a very profitable technique in the early years of property ownership.
Scenarios where split report works
A split report is applicable wherever there is a scope of claiming tax depreciation on the assets of your property. Let’s try to understand how multiple owners are better than a single one.
Consider a scenario where property investors are allowed to receive a write-off on assets that have a starting value of $300 (or less). Typically, this severely restricts the write-off a single owner could get on a property. However, in the case of co-ownership with an equal partnership, each owner is allowed to claim a write-off on items with a value of less than $300. This means that the co-owners can collectively claim ownership of $600 value.
A similar tactic could be employed in case of low-value pooling. Suppose that if the interest of the owner for any asset is less than $1000 in value, the asset would be considered low-value. The owner gets a Deppro contact number and gets told that he could claim them at a rate of 18.75 percent in the first year and 37.5 percent from second year. However, when there is a 50:50 co-ownership, each owner is allowed to claim assets with interest less than $1000, thus allowing to put a total claim worth $2000.
Conclusion:
Asset depreciation is a significant tax deduction for property owners, something to consider during a Deppro review. However, this is far from the only benefit that co-ownership offers. If you are looking to invest in a property, doing so with others can hold some long-term benefits for you. Contact us today to chat about your options.
DEPPRO guarantees to assess depreciation entitlements to an amount at least double its professional fees in the first full financial year.
If we don’t, we will refund all fees and provide the report for free!
Property Investors Need to Know 4 Things About Depreciation
/in Blog, News, Property /by adminProperty is a good choice for an investment as it is less prone to risk. It can be profitable if you take the time and make the effort. You will overcome the rigors of the property investment territory if have a vivid vision of your goals. An investment property calculator will help you to estimate the costs of your property investment and the yields you can expect. It’s important to understand the deductions you are entitled to as it can significantly safeguard your cash flow.
These are four major insights when it comes to depreciation.
1. Itemize all repairs and maintenance expenses
Keep on top of all repairs and maintenance expenditures during the year. You can itemize them on a spreadsheet as they happen to make sure you don’t miss anything. Recording these expenses and the type of repair will make it easy to identify what isdepreciable and which are deductible.
Not all depreciation allowances can be claimed at the same rate or over the same timeframe. It’s dependent on what type of repair was undertaken. Provide detailed information when recording any repair and maintenance expenses to maximize your depreciation claim.
2. Old properties Can also Be Depreciated
Many investors inMelbournethink that a property constructed for 30 years does not warrant a depreciation schedule, but this is not always the case. Properties constructed after July 1985 can claim depreciation. Consequently, older investment properties extended or renovated since that time also claim deductions. Most, even in Brisbane,havebenefitted from new kitchens and bathrooms to bring the property up to modern standards. You can claim something with new fixtures and fittings whether you made them or they were the work of a former owner.
3. Scrapping schedule
When you renovate, you are permitted to write off any unclaimed depreciation on the fittings thrown out. This applies when part of the building is being demolished. All you needto generate taxable income before the renovations is to have used the premises as an investment property. A scrapping schedule is prepared by a quantity surveyor like DEPPRO Pty ltd. It should show the amounts not yet claimed on such items.
4. You may be entitled to a retrospective claim
Failure to make a claim in a particular year does not mean you will never be able to do so. You can access up to two years’ worth of deductions, but it’s important not to let it go too long. This will help you not miss out on some significant depreciation benefits.
Depreciation on an investment property will help you to maximize your returns. The above issues will ensure your cash flow is boosted significantly. You will have set your priorities right and created a sound long-term financial strategy.
Conclusion
At DEPPRO PTY ltd, we remove ownership anxiety by simplifying the complexity of depreciation. We offer stress-free services that help you maximize your property returns. We also advise on the rewards of claiming depreciation and how to do it. Contact us today so we can offer support when you need it.
Your Rental and Depreciation
/in Blog, News, Property /by adminWhat makes property investment affordable for the average Australian is tax allowances, and one of the best allowances is depreciation. Rental property depreciation is an essential tax allowance to claim. But you need to understand the tax consequences and how to claim the deductions. You also need to know how this choice will affect your investment returns. Here is a simple guide on how to claim tax allowances for your depreciating rentals.
1. Prime Cost Method
The deduction for each year is calculated as a percentage of the cost when you use the prime cost method. The prime cost method returns a straight-line depreciation amount until the total value of assets is claimed. Greater deductions are returned in the prime cost method in the latter years of the depreciation plan. As an investor, you rely on a more consistent depreciation claim each year. If you are looking to maximize your depreciation claim later, the prime cost method is the best option.
When investors select the prime cost method, they claim a lower but more constant proportion of the available deductions over an extensive period.
2. Diminishing Value Method
The deduction in the diminishing value method is calculated as a percentage of the balance you have left to deduct. In the first few years, this method will return higher depreciation deductions to the property owner. The diminishing value method uses a low value and low costpooling to increase claims on items under $1,000. As an investor, you will claim 100 percent of the value of items worth less than $300. However, depreciation claims drop because the method decreases in value each year until assets run out.
When an investor claimsbased on the diminishing value method, they claim a greater proportion of the asset cost in earlier years of the asset’s life. The investor receives greater deductions in the earlier years of owning the property, and that amount tapers off in later years.
The total depreciation value available over the property’s life is claimed both in the diminishing value and prime cost method. However, the two methods use different formulas to calculate depreciation deductions. They achieve different short-term and long-term cash flow positions for the rental investor. Both ways claim the same total value over forty years. However, different rules are used to achieveeither an aggressive upfront claim or a consistent claim each year.
Seek professional advice before deciding whichmethod is best for your financial situation and investments. A professional will be able to provide a capital allowance and tax depreciation schedule. The tax depreciation schedule will outline the depreciation deductions available to claim using both methods for comparison.
Conclusion
Just as you can claim wear and tear on a car, you can also claim the depreciation of your rental properties. A property investor that produces income is entitled to depreciate the building and the items within it. To ensure that thousands of dollars don’t go unclaimed, hire a qualified quantity surveyor. To avail substantial savings, contact DEPPRO Pty Ltd for a depreciation report on your rental property.
4 Things to Know About Your Tax Depreciation Schedule
/in Blog, Property, Tax Depreciation /by adminWhen you claim depreciation it will help in enhancing cash flow from the property. As per ATO rules, businesses can specify depreciation as an expenditure while reporting the income tax return for a specific period. You may refer to tax depreciation tables 2015 when you mention depreciation as an expense. The amount will help in bringing down your taxable income. All residential property and commercial property have depreciation value. The tax regulatory authority summarizes and compiles these deductions in a report known as the tax depreciation schedule.
Here are the things that you must be aware of about the tax depreciation schedule:
1. Consult with a Quantity Surveyor
When you own an investment property, you will remain eligible to claim several tax deductions. It will directly bring down your taxable income. The deductions may include council rates, management fees, accounting fees, and maintenance expenses among others. Meanwhile, the depreciation deduction is separate as it is non-cash. It implies that you are not required to spend money when you seek to claim a depreciation deduction. Many property owners end up missing it. You should consult with an expert Quantity Surveyor who will help in maximizing claims and preparing a schedule. The main motto of all property investors in Australia is to improve their tax refund as much as possible.
2. Categories
The depreciation schedule contains two categories namely capital works and plant & equipment. Capital works involve the property’s actual cost, structures, renovations, and extensions. It has emerged as a vital part of the schedule. Fencing, paving, and sheds including some other permanent assets are also an integral part of this category. Meanwhile, plant & equipment includes assets such as furniture, flooring, and appliances, among others. The procedure of claim includes inspection of the building and fixing a value to each asset.
3. Lease days
The ATO permits you to claim depreciation till the time property remains available for lease. If you happen to be a new owner of an investment property, you will still be allowed for a claim. In this situation, the claim will mainly depend on the number of days the property remained available for rent. When you consult with experts and accountants, it is necessary to ask about partial claims within the year and pro-data deductions depending on the lease tenure. When you lodge your tax return Australia online, some vital details will already be filled for you.
4. Previous years claim
There are times when property owners tend to miss claiming depreciation deduction for many years due to ignorance. However, now ATO permits adjustment years after the first submission. This implies that you may file an amendment application for the missed depreciation deductions.
Conclusion:
You must be aware of the aforementioned things about your tax depreciation schedule. Soon after you improve your property, you need to hire a professional Quantity Surveyor to help you prepare a detailed claim. Your motto must be to enhance your Yield on investment property. You should not get confused between repairs and capital works improvement. It is because the claim procedure for the two remains different. This is the reason why you need to hire a professional as it will ensure that your deductions are correct.
How Depreciation Works for a New Investment Property
/in Blog, News, Property, Tax Depreciation /by adminTax allowance has the potential of making investment property profitable and depreciation has emerged as a key allowance. Depreciation residential rental property is a vital tax allowance that you must not forget to claim. Depreciation is a crucial element of a property investor’s investment strategy. It is important to note that depreciation tax breaks remain higher on new properties. However, they are available for all kinds of investment properties whether they are old or new. A large number of investors end up missing out on important tax breaks every year.
Here is how depreciation will work for a new investment property:
What is depreciation?
According to the Australian Tax Office, depreciation can be described as when assets decline in value as they age. It can be described with an example. Let us take an instance of a $2000 desktop computer on which ATO allows four years. It will provide you a $500 deduction every year over a period of four years. You should be aware of how and when to lodge your Australian tax return.
How property investors will claim depreciation?
Property investors will be able to claim for depreciation in two ways namely capital works deductions and depreciating assets. Here is how it can be further described:
How you may claim depreciation?
You will be able to claim depreciation using two methods namely the prime cost method and diminishing value method. The prime cost method provides you an equal tax deduction every year over the item’s effective life. Meanwhile, the diminishing value method will offer you bigger claims in the initial years of the item’s effective and smaller claims gradually. A large number of investors opt for the diminishing value method as it provides them with a higher depreciation rate in the beginning. If you face some confusion, your accountant will give you advice as to which method will work best for you.
Conclusion:
The aforementioned details will give you an adequate idea of how depreciation will work for a new property. It is ideal to hire an expert quantity surveyor who will be able to prepare your tax depreciation schedules in an effective manner. They have expertise in identifying the value of construction work. They can also offer you a report on the depreciation rate that will be claimable on your property and when you may claim it. You will then send this report to your account who will claim it on your tax return.
Three interesting facts about your specialist Quantity Surveyor
/in Blog, General, News, Property /by adminA large number of first-time property investors find out that they will require a tax depreciation schedule sooner or later. They can obtain the tax depreciation schedule from Quantity Surveyor. Property investors can bring down their tax liability by effectively calculating depreciation tax deduction on rental property. ATO has already recognized Quantity Surveyors as the right individuals to calculate building costs for depreciation purposes. But not all Quantity Surveyors have expertise in depreciation. Depreciation experts possess the right skills to find out if your depreciation claim has been maximized or not.
Here are some interesting facts about QS that you must not overlook:
1. Passion for figures
An expert QS is passionate about numbers and prepares a depreciation schedule by making good use of these numbers. They will also evaluate the income-generating property and plant & equipment assets to assess their depreciable value. Meanwhile, the expenses of structural units like floors, walls roofs, and windows will remain eligible to be claimed as capital works deduction. The rate will be 2.5 percent every year over 40 years for any property where construction began after September 15, 1987. Calculating depreciation for plant & equipment is also not that easy. There are over 1600 depreciable plant & equipment assets identified by ATO. You can hire leading tax depreciation surveyors to assess all depreciable objects.
2. Include all plant & equipment asset
An expert QS has a great eye for detail and conducts a thorough survey of the property. They grab images of all the depreciable objects available inside and outside the building. A professional Quantity Surveyor always ensures to inspect all the objects and catalogue them so that all of them are specified on the owners’ depreciation schedule. They leave no stone unturned when it comes to calculating all the things that are depreciable. It will help in preparing effective tax depreciation reports.
3. Close relationship with accountants and property experts
They build strong relationships with Accountant and property professionals. The friendship among them remains mutual. They all work in the direction to make investment properties perform effectively for the owner. An expert QS assists investors by offering depreciation estimates to property managers and real estate agents for their listed properties. They also connect with property managers to organize an inspection period with tenants when it comes to completing the depreciation schedule.
The moment a QS concludes the depreciation schedule, a copy will be sent to you and your accountant. It will allow you to enter deductions into your annual income tax assessment. Accountants will be able to use your depreciation schedule to assist you to claim deductions consistently. You can also adjust any tax returns that were submitted in the last two years in case deductions were not claimed or maximized.
Conclusion:
An expert QS will utilize tricks like instant write-off and less value pooling to let investors enhance their deduction. An expert QS will also be able to prepare a strata property act depreciation report without any hassle. They adhere to books and work closely with ATO to remain updated on the latest depreciation legislation and tax rules. They strive to follow ATO guidelines religiously to make sure that claims are valid.
Making Your Main Residence an Investment Property
/in Blog, News, Property /by adminConverting 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.
Know Your Tax Claims during Renovation
/in Blog, News, Property /by adminRenovation is an essential aspect of maintaining and improving a property, but it is not always done for the looks alone. Many property investors opt for renovation before selling or renting the property to another party. But what is often missed is the possible tax claims from renovation, like building tax depreciation. In Australia, renovation costs can be claimed, but there are specific scenarios.
Here is what you must know about renovation and tax claims:
Renovating a Personal Property
Let’s start with the simplest case: you are renovating your primary residence. Since it is a property for personal use and not as a commercial one, this automatically excludes several tax deductions like depreciation. However, if you choose to sell the property later, all renovations carried out in the home are exempted from capital gains tax (CGT). The ATO also allows for renovations on areas adjacent to the primary property (like swimming pool) as long as the total area is less than two hectares. This too is exempted from CGT.
Renovating an Investment Property
Things are different in the case of investment properties. Perhaps the most important distinction is in depreciation. The ATO allows investment property owners to claim depreciation deductions over the cost of general wear and tear that occurs within the property. Now you might be thinking, can you claim depreciation on a rental property? Yes, you can. There are two types of depreciation deductions: the structural components under capital work deductions, and equipment assets installed within the property.
However, there is a very important caveat to this. As per the 2017 legislation, depreciation cannot be claimed in the case of second-hand properties. If you are renovating your property while living in it, and later renting it out, everything within it would be considered second-hand. Even the new equipment installed during a renovation would now be excluded from depreciation deductions. It is therefore imperative to ensure that you are not living in the investment property while carrying out the renovations. Not only this, but the property should also be listed as “for rent” before you actually being the renovations.
The 2017 legislation does offer some exceptions. For instance, rental properties that have undergone a ‘significant’ renovation are exempted from being treated as second-hand when sold. Most importantly, new properties remain unaffected and offer the most significant tax deductions.
‘Scrapping’ During Renovation
Scrapping refers to the removal of assets that are considered depreciable. This includes faucets, carpets, cupboards, etc. During the renovation, most property owners are focussed on claiming depreciation on a rental property and don’t care much about the old assets which are being discarded. However, this is a mistake. The ATO allows investment property owners to claim the depreciation cost of certain items as tax deductions. This means that you could claim the depreciation of the old items you have removed from your property in the same year as the renovation.
Conclusion
Renovation can change the entire appearance of your property, but it also carries some importance for the state of your finances. Carrying out renovations with the right knowledge from Deppro Perth can allow you to save a significant amount of money.
4 Interesting Facts about Specialist Quantity Surveyors
/in Blog, News, Property /by adminQuantity surveyors are the people who eat, breathe, drink, and sleep depreciation. Both first-time investors and regular investors have a need for the high quality quantity surveyors that can be hired from places like Deppro Victoria for depreciation reports. Quantity surveyors are come up with the best depreciation schedules to save some of your hard-earned money from draining away.
So, here are some amazing facts about these super depreciation controllers who can get some dollars back to your pockets again:
1. Number Passion:
Quantity surveyors have a knack for numbers which they use efficiently to determine a perfect depreciation schedule. They take into account all the equipment assets to calculate the actual depreciation value that can be filed. This may sound simple but in reality it is a complex process that involves lots of calculations and deep thinking. Hiring a quantity surveyor to determine the appropriate values and crunch the numbers will deliver the best possible depreciation schedule.
2. They Try to Include Everything Possible:
People often do not have full knowledge of all the things that can be added to a depreciation schedule, but this is not the case when you talk about experts. Quantity surveyors conduct a detailed property inspection and take all the essential pictures capturing the assets present inside and outside the house that can be put up for depreciation. They know exactly how to seek out depreciating assets for tax purposes which may just look like a piece of trash to normal people. They make sure that they find out all such things that can be listed down for depreciation.
3. Good Relations with Accountants and Property Specialists:
Quantity surveyors have a good working relationship with property professionals and accountants, and they can work together to derive the best for the property owners. Property managers can help by inspecting the property to finalise an adequate depreciation schedule, and once it is finalised, it is further sent to the accountants for detailed scrutiny. Accountants can help you adjust the deductions and reduce the amount of tax paid by you on an annual basis. Also, they can help you claim the Deppro tax depreciation and adjust tax returns if at for any reason you failed to file for deductions for the previous two years.
4. They Go by the Rule Book
Quantity surveyors abide by the rule book. May it be the ATO or the professional industry association, they keep themselves updated with the latest happenings and amendments made for tax rulings and other depreciation claims. Also, they make sure that they follow the ATO guidelines to make legit and sure-shot depreciation claims.
Conclusion
A professional quantity surveyor can bring in a huge difference when it comes to pinning down an adequate depreciation schedule. They are the ones who can help the investors save a lot of money by filing Deppro QLD claims that an investor stands eligible for. They tend to be highly beneficial for your property investment goals.
Planning to demolish your existing property to construct an investment property? Consider these factors
/in Blog, Property /by adminDepreciation can never be a sole factor for an investor to construct a new investment property. However, it does impact the cash flow of your property. Not to mention, an expert quantity surveyor will help you discover depreciating assets for tax purposes. Investors generally demolish their family home to construct a duplex and live in one part and rent out the other section. It may cost a little more to construct a duplex than a solo freestanding house. But it is more economical than constructing two single freestanding houses.
Here are some factors that you should not overlook:
What is a duplex?
It is a residential home that has got two units under the same roof. The two units however share a common party wall that separates the building into two different units. Each unit is considered as a separate home with its own facilities, entrance, and yard. With a duplex, there is the advantage of a greater asset portfolio and higher equity. It can help in funding future projects and lets you accomplish your property goals much earlier.
Steps in constructing an investment property
There are various steps that need to be followed when constructing an investment property. You must ensure that you have acquired experts. The house that you seek to demolish should be a primary place of residence. It should not be a family home. You need to demolish it as the duplex must be constructed on vacant land. The investor must have a scrapping report which will let the investor claim depreciation on investment property. This report will help you to save thousands of dollars by way of claiming an instant tax deduction for scrap value being decided by an expert quantity surveyor.
Development application:
An expert architect will help in designing the home for the property investor. They should also help the investor through the essential development application process with the council. In case the investor plans to construct an off the plan house, a Complying Development Certificate can be utilized instead of a DA. This will help to streamline the procedure and reduce the lag time. You must evaluate depreciation on residential rental property in a bid to make an effective depreciation claim.
Occupancy certificate:
During the process of construction, you must establish contact with the builder so that you can stay updated on the construction progress. You must ensure that the construction team are experts who have a license and previous experience. It will ensure a top-quality final product. After the project is over, it is necessary to get hold of an occupation certificate. The certificate will help in authorizing the occupation and use of a new unit. It is significant because it will ensure that the property becomes habitable.
Conclusion:
Often financial institutions or banks may make it mandatory to seek the services of quantity surveyors. An expert quantity surveyor from Deppro Victoria will also prepare the property tax depreciation schedule for the property investors. The cost reports are required by banks to understand the development expenditure.
How Multiple Owners Increase Depreciation Claims
/in Blog, Property /by adminOne of the most popular trends in the real estate world recently is co-ownership. A rising number of property investors are choosing to own properties together, and there are some great reasons behind it. Co-ownerships of properties are increasing the purchasing power, which is particularly significant in large cities. Co-ownership also relieves the burden of maintaining a property. The cost of repair and maintenance could be carried by multiple parties instead of one person.
But beyond all of this, co-ownership can also assist in claiming depreciation on property, giving a chance to depreciate more assets at a higher rate. Let’s understand how this works.
What is a split report?
A split report, as the name suggests, splits the value of the assets in proportion to each co-owner’s interest. We calculate depreciation on rental property or private property only after the split. Thus, a split report allows for tax depreciation based on the interest of each co-owner, instead of an aggregate depreciation.
The rationale behind the idea is quite clear. As we know, tax depreciation is a process where the depreciation in the cost of assets within a property is considered as another expense, thus allowing for larger tax returns. When a split report comes into the picture, the distribution of assets too is made according to the percentage of ownership of each co-owner. This increases the number of assets eligible for a write-off or a low-value pool.
The whole tactic accelerates the depreciation benefits for the co-owners, making it a very profitable technique in the early years of property ownership.
Scenarios where split report works
A split report is applicable wherever there is a scope of claiming tax depreciation on the assets of your property. Let’s try to understand how multiple owners are better than a single one.
Consider a scenario where property investors are allowed to receive a write-off on assets that have a starting value of $300 (or less). Typically, this severely restricts the write-off a single owner could get on a property. However, in the case of co-ownership with an equal partnership, each owner is allowed to claim a write-off on items with a value of less than $300. This means that the co-owners can collectively claim ownership of $600 value.
A similar tactic could be employed in case of low-value pooling. Suppose that if the interest of the owner for any asset is less than $1000 in value, the asset would be considered low-value. The owner gets a Deppro contact number and gets told that he could claim them at a rate of 18.75 percent in the first year and 37.5 percent from second year. However, when there is a 50:50 co-ownership, each owner is allowed to claim assets with interest less than $1000, thus allowing to put a total claim worth $2000.
Conclusion:
Asset depreciation is a significant tax deduction for property owners, something to consider during a Deppro review. However, this is far from the only benefit that co-ownership offers. If you are looking to invest in a property, doing so with others can hold some long-term benefits for you. Contact us today to chat about your options.