Property Investment Tips – Pre Pay your Expenses
As we have ended the financial year, there is a wealth of information out there, that provides property investors with a wealth of information to maximise their investment returns. There are some very simple steps investors can take to significantly reduce the tax they pay, one of which is prepaying expenses.
A prepaid expense is a future expense paid in advance. Examples of expenses that can be prepaid include loan interest, levies and insurance. The cost of a tax depreciation schedule is another example.
Advantages of a Tax Depreciation Schedule
A tax depreciation schedule is a report that outlines all available depreciation deductions for a property. These deductions are for the property’s natural wear and tear and can be claimed on eligible structural elements (capital works) and the easily removable or mechanical assets (plant and equipment).
The schedule lasts the lifetime of the property and must be completed by a specialist quantity surveyor to maximise deductions and maintain compliance with the Australian Taxation Office. Once the schedule is prepared, an accountant will use it each tax time to determine the annual depreciation deduction a property investor can claim.
How does depreciation help investors pay less tax?
Property depreciation works like all other tax deductions – it reduces an investor’s assessable taxable income, so they pay less tax.
Depreciation is different from other deductions in that it’s the only ‘non-cash’ deduction available. Other than the cost of the schedule (which is tax deductible), investors don’t need to spend money to claim it. It can put thousands of dollars back in an investor’s pocket every year.
What happens if the schedule isn’t completed before June 30?
As long as the schedule is ordered and prepaid before June 30, the investor can claim 100 per cent of the schedule fee straight back in this year’s tax return.
Plus, the schedule starts from the property’s settlement date, not the schedule order date. This means if the schedule isn’t ready until after June 30, for example August 2021, depreciation deductions can still be claimed for the 2020-21 financial year. A schedule will allow the investor to adjust previous tax returns too, so they can claim back missed dollars.
How does an investor know that a tax depreciation schedule is worth it?
Specialist quantity surveyors, such as BMT Tax Depreciation, always ensure that a schedule is worthwhile before any work commences. BMT also provides a guarantee that if they don’t find double their fee in first full year deductions, they will refund the entire cost of their schedule.
If you’re an investor and you’re still uncertain, you can ask BMT for an obligation-free depreciation estimate to help make your decision. The team can provide a preliminary estimate over the phone and go from there. To learn more, contact BMT on 1300 728 726 or Request a Quote.
Bradley Beer (B. Con. Mgt, AAIQS, MRICS, AVAA) is the Chief Executive Officer of BMT Tax Depreciation. Please contact 1300 728 726 or visit bmtqs.com.au for Australia-wide service.
Source: BMT Tax Depreciation has prepared over 700,000 tax depreciation schedules over the past twenty years. The expert team can provide obligation-free depreciation estimates for all types of investment properties, so you know how much you can expect to claim before making the purchase. To learn more about BMT and the services they offer, Request a Quote or call the team on 1300 728 726.
General Advice Warning
The material on this page and on this website has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained on this page and on this website is General Advice and does not take into account any person’s particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.
Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a securities adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances. In addition, the examples provided on this page and on this website are for illustrative purposes only.
Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained on this page and on this website, Chan & Naylor, its officers, representatives, employees, and agents disclaim all liability [except for any liability which by law cannot be excluded), for any error, inaccuracy in, or omission from the information contained in this website or any loss or damage suffered by any person directly or indirectly through relying on this information.
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