Recent Budget announcement of investment property depreciation changes
Using a Tax Depreciation Schedule can help you Pay Less Tax (legally)
The information released was pretty broad and may take several weeks before it is translated into legislation.
In the meantime, here a few points that may help clarify some things:
1. The changes only apply to residential investment properties purchased after 7.30pm on May 9, 2017. 'Purchase' is generally defined as the date you put down a deposit on your investment property and contracts are signed and exchanged.
2. So if you already own your investment property, you are not affected. This is called 'grandfathering'. It means changes are not retrospective.
3. The changes affect Plant and Equipment. A more common name for this stuff is Depreciating Assets: stoves, carpet, air con, curtains, and blinds etc.
4. If you buy a second-hand investment property, you will no longer be able to depreciate the stove, carpet etc.
5. The reason for this is simple. The government wants to stop the same items being depreciated over and over by consecutive property investors.
6. Depreciation on the building itself is not affected.
7. With a new investment property, you should still be able to depreciate the Assets because you are the first owner of them. This is one of the things that will take some weeks to confirm.
8. It follows that if you bought an investment property new, lived in it for a while and then moved out and turned it into a rental property, you should be able to depreciate the Assets because you are the first owner of them.
9. Commercial property is not affected.
The above is Depreciator's interpretation of the changes on the 9th of May in the 2017 Budget and there are things yet to be confirmed.
With changes coming, now is the time to organise a Tax Depreciation Schedule for your investment property. To get a FREE estimate of how much depreciation is available on your property simply click this link.
Any Questions? Ask Darryl Here
Related Article: Tax Depreciation Schedules Reduce Your Tax
Order Depreciation Schedule Here
Make sure you stay in touch for upcoming updates on Property Depreciation Changes