Discover the Benefits of Claiming Depreciation for a Commercial Property

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A person buys additional properties with the plan to monetize the assets. This is usually done by renting these out. But many people are not aware that their property can provide monetary benefits outside the rental income too. These benefits are in the form of possible deductions in tax. This blog post will discuss the different aspects of depreciation tax benefit.

How Depreciation Affects Tax?

We all know that an asset has more value when purchased than the same asset a few years later. This common knowledge is called depreciation in finance and accounting syntax. Depreciation refers to the diminishing of the value of any asset with each passing year. When it comes to residential properties, this reduction in value is made up to some extent by the Australian tax rules. The ATO guidelines allow property owners to claim a deduction in tax amount on the basis of this reduction. This deduction is calculated as per the extant investment property depreciation rules.

The deduction in tax payable is applicable to the following two types of assets on residential properties:

1. Capital Works Deductions:

This is the deduction applicable to the capital assets of a property. In simpler language, it refers to the immovable part of a building, like walls, floorings, tiles, doors and windows, wiring, etc. The only thing a house owner needs to keep in mind is the cut off date for the enforcement of this legislation. All properties constructed after 20th July in the year 1982 would be eligible for this deduction. Capital works deductions on properties constructed before this date would be eligible only for repairs, renovations, etc.

2. Plant and Equipment Depreciation:

This is the second way under which claiming depreciation on investment property is allowed under ATO guidelines. This is applicable for all the removable parts of a building. In the ATO guidelines, a complete list of around 1500 such items is provided. Some examples are upholstery, electrical gadgets, air conditioners, etc. A typical building is considered by the ATO to have a useful life of 40 years. But the movable assets listed under plant and equipment have much smaller life spans listed under the guidelines.

Why You Need a Professional Help for Claiming Depreciation?

Most people consider basic financial aspects while purchasing an investment property. But if one considers the tax benefits from the depreciation perspective, the picture changes a lot. The problem with these calculations is that a layman might not be able to do them accurately. A professional company would be able to help in the following two ways:

  • Before purchase, they would help with the calculations of the tax implications of depreciation.
  • After purchase, these companies and their teams would help file tax returns accurately, taking depreciation into consideration.

This is why most prospective buyers consult these experts before the purchase decision.

Conclusion:

A home can be a financial boon in more ways than we think. Experienced and dependable consultants like Deppro can help an investor maximise tax savings by creating an accurate depreciation schedule. They could also ensure that multiple deductions are not claimed by mistake.

Depreciation Schedules – By Independent Property Inspectors

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Depreciation refers to the decline in value of a commodity or an asset. In terms of tax depreciation schedules, the term corresponds to a tax deduction or compensation for wear and tear caused to a piece of property. Rented houses, that constitute the property of taxpayers, have a tendency of suffering damages in the course of time and thus the term depreciation comes into action.

Depending on the value of a property, the property depreciation schedule of a piece of property can amount to a significant amount of money for a property owner. Whether a property is new or old, the compensation for its renovation does amount to a certain value. Keeping this in mind, a property owner must try their best to do everything to lay a claim on the tax deduction of mending or renovation.

How Does a Tax Depreciation Schedule Benefit a Property Owner?

A tax depreciation schedule is prepared by a quantity surveyor and it consists of all the components that are eligible for depreciation. The amount of money you invest for the improvement of property comes under tax exemption. That is to say, you will not be taxed for the amount of money that you invest in enhancing its value.

An important thing to bear in mind is that it is easier said than done to meet the requirements of ATO. Hiring a qualified quantifier surveyor is a good idea to make the most of an investment property depreciation schedule ATO. Though you can consider approaching an accountant, a quantity surveyor would be able to provide you with an accurate calculation.

What Amount of Depreciation Can You Expect From Your Property?

ATO tax depreciation schedule is more complicated than what it looks like on the surface. One needs to get to the bottom of the facts in order to gain a proper understanding of the value of tax depreciation for a piece of property.

An important thing to remember is that the value of depreciation depends on the age of a property. Thus, it can vary from one property to the other. Further, your property will be eligible for recovery of compensation only if you have built it after 1985.

Tax depreciation in connection with a property does not cover the land on which it stands. Even if your property was built before 1985, you can receive depreciation on all Plant and Articles.

Final Thoughts:

It is important to conduct the depreciation of a property due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, it necessitates a property owner to carry out a thorough inspection of their property. This can help an owner identify all the existing problems in their asset.

Further, it also encourages an owner to promote the value of a property with the assurance that the costs for improvement will not come under the slab of taxation. A piece of property which undergoes maintenance and improvement from time to time remains in proper shape for long-term use.

10 Things You Need To Tick Off Before You Buy an Investment Property

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When you are in a situation where you are able to put money into an investment property, it’s an extremely exciting time. But if not thought out properly, such an investment could actually push you into financial stress which could lead to mental distress as well. To help you out, here is a quick list of 10 things presented by Deppro Qld that you need to do before and during the purchase of property investment.

  1. Plan well: This is so obvious that it shouldn’t be on this list at all. But lack of planning can cause are series of losses you want to avoid. Things like the location you’re looking to buy at, how much you can afford to spend, who will manage your property, loan implications, property tax depreciation etc need to be well thought out.

 

  1. Consult experts: The first set of people we talk to are our friends and family in the process of decision making. We all like to be able to find someone who has their own investment property. But in order to ensure that your investment property actually provides good returns, you need to take the advice of experts like Deppro Qld.

 

  1. Insure yourself: Assuming that you would need a loan when buying your property, make sure that you have insurance coverage so that your family is not thrown into the deep end if something happens to you.

 

  1. Think like an investor: When it is time to choose your property, try putting yourself in the shoes of the person who would rent it from you.

 

  1. Do your research: You need to be sure about the going rates for not only the properties similar to what you are buying, but also be aware of tax implications of the fixtures and fittings you are using so that you can claim tax deductions on your property depreciation reports.

 

  1. Backup: Buying an investment property is similar to buying a car. You need to have money for the purchase, but you also need to keep a little aside for regular expenses like repairs and utility bills.

 

  1. Sharpen expenses: When you are investing in a property, remember that it is a medium to long term financial investment. Try to bring in some fiscal discipline on other fronts like credit card expenses or other ad hoc expenses.

 

  1. Keep the target in mind: You should spend on your property according to the location of the property and the likely tenants/buyers who would rent/buy from you. If the property is in a high-class neighborhood, for instance, invest in a pool, but otherwise, avoid those sorts of expenses.

 

  1. Choose the right entity: In case you are already burdened with tax commitments, consider buying in the name of a trust fund or get your spouse to buy it. That way you would be able to get the maximum benefit from the depreciation on investment property.

 

  1. Use the laws: When people are considering an investment property, they often use available funds to buy outright. Even if you have your funds, try investing that in a better instrument, and offset your interest expenses by the tax deductions available through law.

Like I said earlier it’s always a great feeling, whether you are planning to purchase your 1st, 2nd or 10th property. So, plan well and prepare yourself completely before your investment.

Do You Really Need A Quantity Surveyor?

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Every team engaged in construction has different specialists with different skillsets. One of the most important and interesting roles is that of a quantity surveyor. This role combines the knowledge of engineering and finance. People argue whether all construction projects need a project surveyor or not. In our opinion, every project should have one. But there is another area of work where the role of quantity surveyors is even less understood.

Tax Returns and Quantity Surveyors

Australian tax rules state that owners of investment properties should file tax returns. This process requires qualified and experienced tax depreciation surveyors. So, let us properly understand the process of property tax. This way, the importance of quantity surveyors can become clearer as well.

When you own a property, there are two types of additions to that property.

  • The first is capital goods, which indicates the permanent structures.
  • The second refers to the extra items which are removable.

Good tax depreciation quantity surveyors can list all the elements of your property. After this, they distribute them into these two categories.

The Contribution of Tax Surveyor in Filing Tax Returns

The reason we need quantity surveyors for this is not only to create a list. With their training and experience, they would be able to put the correct pricing on each item. They can also calculate the depreciation allowable on each item. This would be according to Australian tax rules. Based on the quantity survey, the quantity surveyor tax depreciation list gets created. It is then made part of the owner’s tax returns. The right work by the quantity surveyor would ensure that tax is not paid when unnecessary. It also ensures nothing important is missed during the filing of returns.

The Importance of a Quantity Surveyor

This was only an example of a specific job that is impossible without a quantity surveyor. If a non-qualified person does it, there could be financial and legal implications. But if we talk about general construction teams as well, we can’t ignore the role of a quantity surveyor.

Conclusion:

The cost and efforts involved with hiring qualified Deppro quantity surveyors might be high but they get repaid because of their contributions. This holds true not only in general construction work. It is especially true in specific jobs like tax returns and depreciation lists. The benefits of hiring a professional quantity surveyor are most usually in financial aspects. But they also help in ensuring that the technical aspects are correct too. If your project team does not have a quantity surveyor yet, it is high time you consider it.

Depreciation and Your Investment Property

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When a person buys an investment property, the intention is to generate an additional revenue stream from the rentals. But the process of looking for a good tenant and setting them up is not that easy. Then there is the issue of regular or ad hoc maintenance expenses, which eat away at the rental income. On top of that, there is the matter of paying taxes on the property and its income.

The Australian tax rules have made it possible for homeowners to get some relief from the taxes they need to pay for their property and its income. The rules regarding depreciation residential rental property provide for a reduction on tax on account of the depreciation of the value of the property.

There are two ways in which the deduction can be calculated. It could be either on the capital works or on plant and equipment. It is required that a complete tax depreciation schedule for rental property is created by the owner. This is a specialized job for which experts need to be brought in.

There are several companies which offer this kind of service. They employ qualified quantity surveyors who are trained to create this kind of report. It requires detailed measurements and counting of each and every small and big element on the property. Based on those data points, the complete rental property depreciation report is prepared. This is then used in and submitted along with the tax returns of the property owner.

There are some things to be kept in mind when claiming tax depreciation on investment properties. Here are some of them:

  1. There are cutoff dates for properties laid down. For commercial properties, the commencement date is 20th of July, 1982. For residential properties, the date is 15th of September 1987.
  2. For plant and equipment assets, the effective lives of each element would be taken into consideration. ATO has laid down a detailed list for this, and the tax returns would be filed accordingly.
  3. The individual effective life would also depend on the type of property where the plant and equipment asset has been used.
  4. House owners need to keep in mind that the depreciation rules would only apply if the property is not being occupied by the owners. Therefore, it has to be a rental or investment property for the depreciation rules to be allowable.
  5. The above rule can be relaxed if the property is purchased and owned by a trust or a company instead of an individual. In such cases, the owner (individual) can move in as a tenant of the trust and claim depreciation.

There are several good companies who can help you create the depreciation report for your property in line with the current regulations. They have teams of qualified technical specialists who would help prepare the depreciation reports and file the tax returns accurately.

Should I Buy an Investment Property with a Swimming Pool?

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When you are looking to invest money into a property where you do not plan to live but rather rent out, you need to strike that sweet spot where minimal investment and maximum returns meet. Your property investment returns must be greater than the upfront costs and the recurring costs put together.

How Wise is it to have a Pool on your Investment Property?

Let us take an example of a swimming pool in the backyard of your house. Who doesn’t like to imagine a lazy sunny morning spent lounging by the poolside? Is there any greater joy than a swim in crystal clear blue water? A pool adds a lot of value to a house, for the owner as well as the resident. But we need to remember that a pool comes with several costs.

The Cost of a Swimming Pool

The cost of building a pool might be a one-time investment, but the maintenance of a pool is quite costly, and those costs are repetitive. If you have a traditional swimming pool, then cleaning of leaves and other debris would need to be done manually. But for more modern self-cleaning pools, the costs become higher. The property report for a house with a pool would have a large chunk of the expenses earmarked for the pool.

What Australian Tax Depreciation Rules Say?

Having read so far, you might be tempted to think that a pool on your property might not be such a great idea after all. But there is another important factor to consider – the Australian tax depreciation rules. As per these rules, several elements of the cost of building and maintaining a swimming pool can be set off against depreciation, and tax deductions can be claimed on them.

This is how it works. When a house is constructed, the money spent on it could be broadly divided into two categories. The first is capital works, and the other is plant and equipment. Capital works would include the fixed part of a building, like the walls, floor, and wiring etc. Plant and equipment would include removable parts of the property like smoke detectors, upholstery, electrical appliances etc. A complete list of both these types of depreciation expenses needs to be made by a certified agency like Deppro using an investment property calculator. This list is then submitted along with the tax returns and deductions are availed on tax on the basis of the depreciation calculated. Many elements of the cost of a swimming pool construction can also be included in this list and deductions claimed.

Final Thoughts:

On the whole, you need to consider the location of your property, the cost of the pool, and the amount you can claim later as tax. After considering these factors, you can decide wisely whether you should buy an investment property with a pool or not.

What You Need to Know About the Legislation Changes to Rental Property Tax Depreciation Claims

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It’s always quite confusing to adapt to new changes. Similar to the altered legislation to the rental home returns which were observed in 2017. It has been tracked that numerous investors and rental property owners have issues regarding the claims available for them.
To everyone’s relief, what is worth appreciation is that the items under the Capital Works such as the swimming pools, toilets, windows, foundations, walls, and ceilings can be claimed for deductions just like before. There are no changes made to that category.
The alteration has been in Division 40 which includes the subparts of Plant and Equipment category including the electronic appliances, carpets, alarms etc. These are the assets which are extra, in other words, which aren’t a part of the built of the property.
Which Properties Got Affected by The Change?
Well, when summarized, it can be said that the deductions for the above-mentioned category that is the Plant and Equipment is not applicable on the condition that the property was made second hand after 7:30 pm on May 9, 2017. All the investors who have invested in the second-hand property before the mentioned time and date can claim returns on depreciation residential rental property as they used to before.
Also, if a new Plant and Equipment asset is bought after the specified date, it is applicable for claims until the asset’s life remains effective. Lastly, another notable fact is that the investors residing in their building before July 1, 2017, do not have to think about the changes made in the legislation as they are exempted from it.
How to Claim the Right Returns Efficiently?
Sometimes technical terms become quite difficult to understand and analyze and hence it is better to seek professional help rather than trying to be the jack of all trades and master of none. Hence, creating a tax depreciation schedule for a rental property can be extremely easy if done by an experienced, professional quantity surveyor. A person with that profession knows exactly what is to be done for your property and will help you extract maximum benefits by giving you a clear-cut view of your costs, expenditures, and returns.
There are a number of companies providing professional help to people in need of a good tax depreciation schedule and hence you can look out for one such service provider.
The main advantage of choosing this way is that they have immense knowledge about the concerned topic and they are aware of such minor details which can fill up your pockets and make you feel rich by just paying a humble fee for the service.
What after June 30, 2017?
For your information, even if it is past June 30, 2017, you are eligible to calculate depreciation on rental property and submit a tax schedule with your tax returns for 2017-2018. Hence, it’s a win-win situation for many of the investors.
Deriving complete information of such legislative changes isn’t a cup of tea and might leave you confused and unsure of your action despite the hard efforts. Thus, a little bit of assistance and help is never harmful.

Are You Missing Out On Tax Depreciation Claims?

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So many Australians miss out on property tax deduction claims every year. Tax depreciation on property investment is a legitimate deduction which the government allows you to claim. Due to the of lack of information on investment property depreciation rules, tax savings worth thousands of dollars are missed out.

Claiming for a tax deduction on the value of your property seems difficult but with the help of a professional expert, it can become really easy. Claiming depreciation can make a huge difference in a property investor’s cash flow. Despite all of this, it is most often missed.

That is where DEPPRO comes in.

What can be Done to Not Miss Out on Tax Depreciation Claims?

In Australia, only 30% of property investors claim deductions for the depreciating value of their property. It is nothing but a non-cash expense which you can claim every year on your property depreciation. You do not need to spend any cash to make this claim.

You are claiming on the declining value of your building or asset. Of course, there are certain conditions like any other tax deduction. If you have a residential property which was built before 1985, then you can claim depreciation on Division 40, Depreciating Assets only. But if it was built after 1985, then you can claim under Division 40 as well as Division 43.

The Tax Depreciation Schedule

A Quantity Surveyor is an official who is professionally qualified to produce a legal tax depreciation schedule by the ATO. It includes the following two divisions:

  1. Division 40: Depreciating Assets: This element of property depreciation schedule is all about assets like plant and equipment, lights, fans, carpets, floating floorboards, smoke alarms, air conditioners, refrigerators and so on. Every item which has a diminishing life is included in this. The tax deduction calculation, according to the investment property depreciation schedule ATO, is carried out based on the effective life of the items.
  2. Division 43: Capital Works Allowance: The immovable parts of the structure like the building, walls, roof, swimming pool, built-in furniture, toilets etc. are a part of this division. The investment property depreciation rules state that this capital works allowance is calculated on the basis of the construction cost of the building and not the current purchasing price. So if you are buying a property, you can claim a deduction based on the original construction cost while the building was made.

How Can DEPPRO Help You?

We have been in the industry for more than 12 years now and have a passion for tax saving. Our team has industry-leading skills and can assist in all areas of investment property taxations. We are always updated and are well-versed with all the latest Australian Taxation Office (ATO) rulings, investment property depreciation rules, and interpretations for our clients.

The property depreciation schedule made by us ensures that our clients get maximum tax benefits and at the same time it complies with all the latest ATO regulations. If you have the property of your own and make money owning it, get a qualified surveyor immediately to perform a tax depreciation schedule. We have offices all over Australia. Contact the one nearest to you today!

Is it Worth Obtaining a Quantity Surveyor Report?

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Have you invested in a rental property in Australia which was built in a year preceding 1987? If so, then things might be different for you than for those who bought their property in the following years. You may be confused in regards to getting a tax depreciation report from one of the qualified tax depreciation surveyors in your city.

Is obtaining a quantity surveyor’s report worth the effort, time and money? Read on to find out.

What Does a Depreciation Schedule Involve?

A quantity surveyor is a dedicated professional who works on depreciation schedules and the capital allowance of investors. When they complete both, it includes two essential elements: equipment depreciation and capital work deductions.

What Is Capital Works Deduction and Why Is It Important?

Capital works deduction is a form of tax deduction which relates to the structural aspects of a building. These include irremovable or fixed assets like tiles, doors, sinks, windows, walls, roof, etc.

Because it is next to impossible to remove these assets, capital works deduction, in the tax depreciation reports, assumes its importance. This prevents an investor from feeling the pinch on their finances at the subsequent stages.

Is there any Hard-and-Fast-Rule Related to Quantity Surveyors which one Needs to keep in Mind?

For the successful generation of these reports, it is imperative that tax depreciation quantity surveyors, who undertake the responsibility, are registered tax agents. This is all the more important in view of the fact that the information in the document relates to particular tax advice.

How Getting A Quantity Surveyor’s Report Helps?

According to the current version of tax legislation in Australia, any residential or commercial property built before September 15, 1987, and July 20, 1982, respectively, are not eligible for deduction.

As a result, an investor may not even consider the need to obtain a surveyor’s report if their date of purchase of property does not make them eligible for it.

However, it is a good idea to enquire about the possibility for a deduction, even if the property in question is 100 hundred years old. Owners of old properties carry out renovations more often than not, and this makes an investor eligible to make depreciation claims after its purchase.

A new buyer can file a claim for it in the event the previous owner carries out any repair or renovations on it after the aforementioned dates for residential and commercial properties.

So, as you would have come to know, getting a depreciation report is your best bet to make a claim for it in a timely manner.

Whether it is ATO guidelines or other tax depreciation laws in Australia, things keep changing from time to time. Therefore, it is a good idea to get in touch with depreciation service firms such as Deppro Perth. While you may spend a little in terms of fees, the dividends it may pay can make it worth the investment.

How Does Depreciation Add Value to Your Investment?

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Every investor invests their wealth into a property to earn profitable returns and this is a story prevalent since years. However, this becomes a little tricky with older properties such as an older building. Due to wear and tear from time to time, its value diminishes over time. Wear and tear of a property is a constraint that is considered at all times when you plan to sell out a property. Depreciation tax benefit serves as one of the valuable means to promote the value of commercial or residential property for investors.

If you have invested in a property of late, depreciation can help you to not only retain its value but also get you more out of it. By lowering the overall tax liability, you can save hundreds to thousands of dollars every year on your taxes.

Read on to know more about how you can get more out of tax depreciation investment property.

Tax Depreciation Adds Value to an Existing Building or Structure:

It is important to bear in mind that tax depreciation does not enhance the value of land. It maximizes the value of a property, especially an old building which is subject to wear and tear. Because it may necessitate renovation or maintenance at the subsequent stages, things can get expensive on the part of an investor. Tax depreciation on such properties can help you keep things under your control in terms of charges involved in repairs or renovation.

Tax Depreciation Does Not Involve Any Upfront Payment

Being a noncash deduction, depreciation does not necessitate the payment of upfront charges. However, to overcome various legal hurdles, it is imperative that you gain an understanding of requirements related to depreciation. This will provide you with the right idea to improve the cash flow of your investment.

Tax Depreciation Helps an Investor Conceal a Cash-Positive Rental:

Depreciation has an interesting spin-off. To elude the possibility of paying an extra amount of money, you can use the tricks of the trade linked to the Australian tax depreciation. By following this simple rule, you can make cash-positive rental look like a loss on paper. Of course, you need to reach out to the right consultant to take advantage of this feature.

What Should You Do to Reap the Benefits of Depreciation?

If you wish to enjoy the positives of depreciation on investment property ATO, the most important thing you need to do is follow the rules. This will help you keep abreast with the ways in which you can benefit from depreciation in the best possible manner.

Because it is easier said than done to deal with the ins and outs or the technical details of the rules related to depreciation, you should consider hiring a professional. Think about consulting an accountant to ensure that your practices are in line with the rules. This is the sure-fire way to benefit from depreciation as an investor.