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

/in , , , /by

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?

/in , , /by

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!

How Does Depreciation Add Value to Your Investment?

/in , , /by

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.

How You Can Benefit from a Depreciation Schedule

/in , , /by

Depreciation is an amount which is an acquired cost upon the asset’s original value corresponding to the service life of the asset. Over the years for which a company uses a machine, it becomes next to impossible to spend on a single asset for one long period. Therefore, it is essential to depreciate the allocation of the budget over the depreciation expense. It is one of the most under-employed rights which are available to property investors.

Tax depreciation schedules differ from other deductions that relate to property investment. It is a deduction that you can claim without much costs in a year. In general, you can pay a one-off fee and receive a 40-year depreciation schedule. Your analyst can use it each year to overcome your taxable income legitimately.

Advantages of Tax Depreciation Schedule

You can break a depreciation schedule into two divisions. One is the capital works and plants, and the other one is the article. The capital works continue to be the productive structure cost, any improvement or addition and frequently permanent assets that form an element of the construction or enclosing buildings.

These assets usually depreciate beyond 40 years and further form the ‘backbone’ of the depreciation statement. The factory & articles, called as plant and equipment, are the movable assets such as glass furnishings, devices, carpeting, exhaust coolers, fire bells, etc. These assets decrease at varying proportions based on the kind of asset and their shelf life as decided by the depreciation on investment property ATO. The shelf life of these valuable items falls between 5 and 15 years. This is the principal reason for the fall of more notable depreciation claims in the early years.

What are Tax Depreciation Schedules For?

Depreciation schedules can be altered to maximise certain advantages under the Australian tax law. These include the direct write-offs, low-value pooling and in taking the support of various partners and raised thresholds. After the inspection is complete and the data is accumulated under one file, it is given to the accountant. The information is provided in a compatible forma with that of the software. It not only eases off the workload, but also leads to certain benefits that exceed the expectations of investors in the long run.

Utilising a depreciation rate also encourages businesses to record assets at their net book cost. Organisations initially take into account the secured assets in corresponding to their original prices, along with an analysis of the wear and tear over time. As a matter of fact, the value of the asset usually declines over time, and that’s the basic depreciation schedule one needs to know.

Therefore, firms must calculate the tax depreciation investment property with the net cost price and deduct it from the accumulated depreciation cost.

You can highly benefit from the depreciation schedule and make sure you can get the maximum claims. Get hold of expert property depreciation consultants for convenient services.

A Beginners Guide to Rental Property Depreciation: All you should know!

/in , /by

In order to minimize your tax liability, claiming the depreciation on a rental property is imperative. It also significantly improves your cash flow. It is important to calculate precisely on the amount of depreciation tax deduction on rental property. While a little depreciation will enhance your tax liability, any excessive claim can cover you under the preview of ‘Fraud’.

Here is a comprehensive beginner’s guide to rental Property depreciation:

Depreciation – an Overview:

Depreciation technically refers to the decrease in the value of an asset over a period of time. Any tangible asset has a value which declines substantially over its useful life. The owner of the assets can deduct the cost of these tangible assets as an expense to claim the tax deduction.

Depreciation is a non-cash transaction which helps in improving the cash flows by the way of reducing the tax liability. Any rental property generates a certain amount of income which is liable to tax. By claiming the depreciation tax deduction on rental property, this liability can be reduced.

For investment property depreciation, there are two broad asset classifications:

  • Plant & Equipment: Any item used in a building including dishwashers, light fittings, curtains, carpets etc. But the garden plants are not covered in this category.
  • Building: The cost involved in the construction of the building for concrete or brickwork.

ATO Tax Depreciation Schedule – An Overview:

A Depreciation report needs to be maintained in order to claim a depreciation tax deduction on rental property. Tax depreciation reports state the entire claimable amount under depreciation to be considered for tax purposes. ATO only allows for a backdate depreciation of up to 2 years.

Hence, it is recommended to start claiming depreciation at the earliest possible time. It is worth noting that this 2-year limit can be contented by a savvy accountant and on the discretion of an ATO commissioner.

To include the rental depreciation:

  • Rental money must be included under the income.
  • Any insurance payout on the rental property must also be included under the rental income
  • Any booking or letting fee should also be considered as rental income.
  • Any reimbursement received for deductible expenditure to be included under the rental income.
  • In the case of co-tenants, depreciation can be claimed only to the extent of legal interest in the property.

Things to Know About Depreciation Tax Deduction on Rental Property:

In order to claim a correct depreciation tax deduction, you must know the following details:

Date of the Beginning of Construction:

When the construction of the property begins, the depreciation rate percentages can be counted from the effect. If the property is constructed in different time frames, the depreciation can be claimed according to different times.

The percentage of depreciation approves the time for which depreciation can be claimed. Say, if you are claiming a depreciation of 5%, you can claim it for the subsequent 20 years. Similarly, if you claim depreciation for 4%, you can claim it for 25 years.

Date of the End of Construction:

The depreciation tax deduction on rental property can be claimed after considering the date of the end of depreciation. This is a very important date to be known and considered for the depreciation deduction.

Cost of Construction Involved:

The actual cost of construction exclusive of the cost of property purchased as well as the value of the property is considered as the cost of construction liable for a rental property tax deduction. It can also be estimated, in case the owner is not sure about such cost. Such estimation can be done on the basis of the type of construction say residential house or apartment or any commercial property as well as the party involved in such construction i.e. owner, builder or any developer.

With this beginners guide to rental property depreciation, you can suitably save a considerable amount on your tax liability.

How Depreciation Works for a New Investment Property

/in , /by

The value of everything diminishes over time. This holds true for everything you buy or own. So if you buy a television, then its value will diminish by a certain amount or percentage every year. This is called depreciation. The extent of depreciation depends on the expected life of the television. So if you bought it for $800 and you expect it to function for 4 years, then each year the depreciation is $200. When it comes to buying, owning, and selling real estate, the principle of depreciation works in the same way. The process for claiming depreciation on investment property must be clearly understood to ensure that unnecessary tax is not paid. The tax depreciation investment property rules are different for old (already existing) property and new property. Let us examine the various aspects of depreciation on a new investment property.

Types of Tax Depreciation Investment Property

Depending on which part of the property is being assessed, there could be two categories of assets for which depreciation can be claimed, as per the guidelines of the investment property depreciation schedule ATO. The first is the capital works assets. This refers to the actual structure which is immovable in nature. It includes the cost of the walls and roof of the house as well. These assets are expected to last for much longer. For example, the depreciation of a building is expected to take place over a period of 40 years, so each year the depreciation would be only 2.5%. The second category is referred to as the plant and machinery assets. These are other assets which are added on to the house, and which have much shorter life spans. For example, the curtains, air conditioners, computers etc. would all be calculated as plant and machinery assets. For the calculation of tax depreciation investment property, the ATO has made a detailed list of expected lifespans of all the possible assets in a house.

Ways of calculating depreciation

There are usually two ways in which depreciation can be calculated. We already discussed how depreciation means the gradual reduction of the value of an asset over its service life till it becomes zero. The two ways of calculating depreciation assume different velocities of this reduction of value. The prime cost method assumes that the depreciation takes place in equal amounts every year. On the other hand, the diminishing value method assumes that the drop in value is greater in the first few years and then flattens out.

How to Create a Depreciation Schedule

We have already discussed the two types of assets for calculating depreciation. We also saw the two different ways of calculating depreciation. But beyond these two things, there are other factors that need to be taken into account for calculating a depreciation schedule. Based on this depreciation schedule, the tax write-offs and allowances would be calculated by the ATO. That is why it is very important that the depreciation schedule is perfectly created so that you do not lose out on any allowable deductions, nor do you end up paying extra tax. That is why it is important that you use the services of a good tax consulting agency. A good agency would have your property evaluated by a qualified quantity surveyor, who would list down every small and big asset on your property. Based on the report provided, your tax returns can be accurately filed.

The rules governing existing and new investment properties in Australia are different. If you want to get the best benefits from your tax depreciation investment property, you need to use the services of a dependable tax consulting agency.

What Is a Rental Property Depreciation Schedule?

/in , /by

When you own investment property or rental property, the value decreases every year due to depreciation. But you can also claim tax allowances on the depreciated amounts every year. A rental property depreciation schedule can help you understand the amounts you are eligible to claim on your tax returns every year.

ATO Compliant Depreciation

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) fixes the rates of depreciation applicable for rental and investment property. The rental home returns need to be filed in accordance to these ATO depreciation rates and must be compliant with other ATO guidelines as well. Only an ATO compliant rental property depreciation schedule should be used for filing tax returns. There have been some changes to the tax and depreciation rules in 2017, and the property owner should be aware of what depreciation allowance is permissible on each of the assets on the property. The rules for Capital Works depreciation and Plant and Equipment depreciation as laid down by ATO should be followed.

Get Rental Property Depreciation Schedule from Experts

You can easily make your tax returns compliant by using the services of a reputable and trustworthy company. A Deppro depreciation schedule would be created with the help of registered and knowledgeable quantity surveyors. Each element of your property would be divided into the correct categories and depreciation rates applied accordingly. The quantity surveyor would take accurate measurements of all the construction elements and other assets of the property. Based on those numbers, the annual depreciation would be calculated. A cumulative calculation of subsequent years should also be provided.

If you wish to file accurate tax returns and not miss out on any allowances you are eligible for, you need to first get a rental property depreciation schedule prepared with the help of a registered quantity surveyor.

Depreciate Your Property Taxes with Tax Depreciation Services

/in , /by

The value of your property does go down every year. While that is something you might not be particularly chuffed about, you can rejoice in the fact that claiming depreciation on property is the perfect opportunity to recover your losses. This can be done is by setting off those depreciated amounts from the property tax you are supposed to pay.

How to Assess Property Depreciation?

The tax benefits we spoke about at the start would be granted as per the numbers provided by a formal property tax depreciation schedule. This is done by employing the services of a qualified and certified quantity surveyor. The surveyor would visit your property in person and take all necessary measurements of the assets on your property.

Using Property Depreciation for Claiming Depreciation on Property

The quantity surveyor’s report would be part of the overall property depreciation reports. These reports would help in preparing the tax return in such a way that would allow for claiming depreciation on your property. Every asset on the property is usually of two types – it is either a capital works or plant and equipment. Depending on the type, there are different depreciation rates laid down by the ATO.

Conclusion

Do not let your property tax be a burden on you. The depreciation of different elements of your property can easily be used to set off those losses against tax deductions that could reduce your total tax outlay. The property tax could be substantially reduced by claiming depreciation on property. A good agency with certified quantity surveyors like Deppro can help prepare the depreciation report and then use it to prepare the correct tax return which will include the maximum entitlements.

Tax Depreciation for Investment Properties

/in , , /by

Most investors are aware that their property’s value will only decrease over time. But many investors are not aware of the benefits of this depreciation on investment property. Depreciation can help an investor claim tax benefits. The loss due to depreciation would be partly offset by the tax allowances claimed. A typical rental or investment property would have several components. Some would be fixed and part of the property. Some would be attached or constructed additionally. A property depreciation schedule would enable the right tax breaks to be computed. Let us see how an owner can take the help of companies like Deppro Perth to do this.

The Need for an Accurate Schedule

Different depreciation rates apply to different components of a property. As per Australian tax rules, each type of attracts different tax allowances – a property owner might not have complete knowledge of this. It is also time-consuming and tedious. That is why property owners often entrust the job to competent agencies. This ensures that the tax breaks are accurately claimed.

Calculation of Depreciation on Investment Property

A good agency would have competent Deppro quantity surveyors. These surveyors assess every small and big asset included on the property. This is done in strict accordance with ATO guidelines. The rules laid down by ATO often undergo revisions: Deppro quantity surveyors are always completely up to date with such changes. Therefore, you are guaranteed an accurate calculation of your depreciation with Deppro surveyers. Once depreciation is accurately calculated, the right tax deductions can be claimed.

Investors can easily claim the benefits of depreciation on investment property; these benefits accrue through allowable tax deductions. A well-trained and knowledgeable quantity surveyor from a reputable company can help claim the maximum tax benefits. This also ensures that tax benefits allowed by law are not missed.

How Real Estate Investors Can Benefit From a Property Depreciation Schedule

/in , , /by

Real estate is a great investment avenue. But property investors have to deal with depreciation. Every year the value of their property reduces. This is called depreciation. The rate of depreciation that each component of your property is eligible for is different. It depends on the ATO (Australian Tax Office) regulations. The Australian tax depreciation rules clearly specify the different rates. Accordingly, the tax deductions can be calculated and claimed. But for that, a complete schedule of depreciation calculations for every year needs to be created. That is called a depreciation schedule.

Process for Creating Depreciation Schedule

The first step of the process, is to get in touch with a dependable agency. This will help you save both time and effort. They will send you a qualified quantity surveyor of which will list down every single asset on your property. Then those assets are categorized as per the ATO rules. The depreciation schedule is then created with such details. A reputable agency will make the process of claiming depreciation on investment property very easy and convenient.

The Tax Benefits

Once the depreciation schedule is ready, it provides the corresponding tax breaks that are permitted by law. If the schedule has been correctly made, then the tax return will also be accurate. Therefore, there is no chance of double tax getting paid for the same item. Not to mention, you would not miss out on any taxable items. But most importantly, no eligible tax deduction option would get left out. Therefore, you can be assured that the lowest possible tax is paid.

A properly-made depreciation schedule is very important for investors. Otherwise, they can end up losing a part of their profits needlessly. Investors should have an accurate view of the tax savings they are eligible for, and such a schedule can help them.