However, there is a mistake that a number of investors make with their rental property – relying on appreciation without taking depreciation into account too.
WHAT IS DEPRECIATION?
A residential house bought for $300,000 could end up depreciating by $7,500 in the first year.
Essentially, depreciation is the opposite of appreciation – the reduction in the value of an item over time. However, unlike appreciation, you can claim depreciation on an investment property as a business expense. This can include everything from wear and tear on the carpets to damage to appliances. Come tax time, the difference in the value of these items can score you some serious advantages.
For example, BMT Quantity Surveyors figures that a residential house bought for $300,000 could end up depreciating by $7,500 in the first year, and a further $30,000 over a five year period. That is a significant amount you can then claim back on your tax return. And it isn’t just the objects within the home that are claimable – the actual bricks and mortar of the building can also be claimed against depreciation. These are the two depreciation categories, otherwise known as Plant and Equipment; and Bricks and Mortar.
KEEPING TRACK
You can retroactively claim depreciation for your latest two-income returns.
However, you still have the problem of keeping track of your depreciating assets. Different methods of working out depreciation, whether assets could be considered identical in function if one asset is considered part of a larger set; are all integral to figuring out how much you are actually going to be able to save.
This is why it’s so important to use financial and real estate professionals if you want to make the most of your investment. Property managers, quantity surveyors, accountants, financial planners and all the rest should be your first ports of call when it comes to figuring out depreciation. So long as your property was built after the 15th of September 1987 (or for commercial properties, 20th of July 1982), you will likely be able to claim some kind of depreciation on your tax return. In fact, you can retroactively claim depreciation for your latest two-income returns, so you don’t even need to wait until the end of this financial year to claim some of your tax back.
Tax depreciation is one of those things that so many property investors forget about, potentially losing out on thousands of dollars every year! Make sure you have an updated depreciation schedule, the right professionals on your side and the right know-how on making the most of your tax claims. Call us on 4038 6000 to learn more!
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