BMT Tax Depreciation has prepared over 700,000 schedules and found clients an average of $9,000 in the first full financial year deductions. However, BMT’s research shows that up to 80 per cent of property investors still fail to take full advantage of claiming tax depreciation.
When it comes to managing a property portfolio and claiming all the right deductions there is an overwhelming amount of information.
So, we thought we’d break down 9 tax depreciation facts.
- Fact 1. Tax depreciation is the highest non-cash deduction
- Fact 2. Two types of property depreciation deductions
- Fact 3. Legislation changes don’t affect capital works claims
- Fact 4. Legislation changes don’t affect substantially renovated property
- Fact 5. The immediate deduction boosts cash flow
- Fact 6. New and old properties hold depreciation
- Fact 7. Low-value pooling accelerates depreciation
- Fact 8. Hidden deductions are found in common property
- Fact 9. Site inspections are a key to step to maximising compliant claims
Fact 1. Tax depreciation is the highest non-cash deduction
Tax depreciation is a non-cash deduction, meaning investors don’t need to spend any money in order to claim it.
Overall, property depreciation is the second-highest deduction available for property investors. Tax depreciation comes second only to costly mortgage interest repayments.
Fact 2. Two types of property depreciation deductions
There are two types of depreciation deductions available to claim. The first type is capital works (Division 43). This is the building’s structure and the assets that are permanently fixed to the property. These assets can include garages, fences, and built-in kitchen cupboards. On average, capital works deductions make up 85 to 90 per cent of the total depreciation claim.
The second type of depreciation is plant and equipment (Division 40). These assets are easily removable from the property or are mechanical in nature. This can include blinds and curtains, light fittings and security systems. While these typically are less than capital works, they still hold significant deductions.
Due to legislative changes, there have been adjustments to how plant and equipment deductions can be claimed on second-hand properties, further explained below.
Fact 3. Legislation changes don’t affect capital works claims
In 2017 the Australian Government made changes to depreciation legislation. The changes meant that owners of second-hand properties purchased after 9 May 2017 could no longer claim depreciation on previously used plant and equipment assets. Investors could still claim plant and equipment deductions on new assets purchased for the property.
It’s important to note the legislation changes don’t impact eligibility to claim depreciation deductions for qualifying capital works.
Fact 4. Legislation changes don’t affect substantially renovated property
A property is considered substantially renovated when all, or substantially all of a building is removed or replaced. Some key examples of substantial renovations include replacing foundations of the building, walls, floors, roof or staircases.
If an investor purchases a second-hand property directly after its substantial renovation, the 2017 legislation changes do not apply. This means the new owner is eligible to claim on all new plant and equipment assets and the capital works.
Fact 5. The immediate deduction boosts cash flow
Investors can further boost their cash flow by claiming the immediate deduction on eligible assets valued up to $300.
This immediate deduction can be claimed in the year of purchase and there’s no limit to the amount of assets that can be claimed. This means that if they are eligible, the investor can potentially boost their cash flow by hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
Fact 6. New and old properties hold depreciation
There is a common misconception that older properties cannot hold depreciation deductions, which is false.
Deductions can be found in most properties, from brand new properties to properties built over twenty years ago.
Unfortunately, many investors rule out claiming depreciation as they believe their property is too old. An obligation-free tax depreciation estimate from BMT can provide the answer. BMT also guarantees to find double their fee in deductions in the first full financial year or they won’t charge for their services.
Fact 7. Low-value pooling accelerates depreciation
Low-value assets that aren’t eligible for the immediate deduction are often placed in the low-value pool.
Low-value pooling allows owners to claim depreciation at an accelerated rate. When a plant and equipment item is allocated to the low-value pool, it can be depreciated at a rate of 18.75 per cent in the first year and 37.5 per cent each following year.
An item can only be included in the low-value pool if it is a low-cost or low-value asset.
- Low-cost asset: opening value of $1,000 or more.
- Low-value asset: a written down value of $1,000 or more. When an asset’s opening value was more than $1,000 but the residual value is now less than $1,000.
Fact 8. Hidden deductions are found in common property
When an investor purchases a property such as an apartment or townhouse in a complex, it will often be under a strata title.
Owners of these properties can claim an apportioned deduction of the common property assets under the strata. These may include elevators, intercom systems and ventilation fans.
BMT’s specialist site inspectors determine the value of these assets for depreciation purposes by defining the owner’s interest in the asset. Due to depreciation only being available for a portion of the asset, it may fall into the low-value pool or will qualify for an immediate deduction.
Fact 9. Site inspections are a key to step to maximising compliant claims
Both the National Tax and Accountants’ Association (NTAA) and the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) recognise that physical site inspections are essential for claiming maximum deductions compliantly. Failing to conduct site inspections often results in missed deductions or errors made on the tax depreciation schedule.
BMT’s specialist site inspectors conduct physical site inspections, ensuring an accurate tax depreciation schedule is completed that maximises deductions and is ATO compliant.
For over twenty years, BMT Tax Depreciation has been the most trusted specialist in the industry nationwide. To learn more about how you can start claiming depreciation, Request a Quote or call BMT on 1300 728 726.
Our daughter has a house in Heyfield and is renovating it. Is BMT depreciation only for when the property is rented out?
Hi Rachael,
Thanks for your comment.
Depreciation deductions can be claimed as long as the property is genuinely available for rent.
This means depreciation could be claimed on a vacant property, on the condition that it is advertised for rent with enough exposure to potential tenants and is without restrictions that would prevent a tenant from renting it.
If a property is undergoing renovations, it would most likely prevent eligibility to claim depreciation deductions. Once the property becomes available for rent, all eligible new assets and capital works deductions will become available to claim.
To organise a quote and estimate of likely deductions, please get in touch with one of our specialists on 1300 728 726.
Thanks,
The BMT Team
I’ve just been reading your article – 9 tax depreciation facts every investor needs to know.
I’m interested in the hidden deductions found in common property for investors. I already have a BMT tax depreciation schedule for my 2 properties. Are deductions for common property already covered in those calculations?
Regards
Jill
Hi Jill,
Thanks for your comment.
A BMT Tax Depreciation schedule covers all available depreciation deductions including common property such as driveways, foyers, lifts, stairs and more.
If there were common area assets at your property when the schedule was prepared, these assets will be included in your schedule, and your claim maximised.
Feel free to give us a call on 1300 728 726, and one of our friendly staff will answer any specific questions you have.
Thanks,
The BMT Team