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FINANCE NEWS | VIEWS | CLUES

JUNE 2021

TAX TIME TIPS FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS

A tax-time mistake can be a costly one for Australian property investors. The ATO has revealed that an audit of property investors found errors in just shy of nine out of ten returns reviewed. 

 

With the ATO set to scrutinise returns to a greater degree than prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic, property investors can expect to come under the microscope.

 

The following are five things property investors should keep in mind for this 30th June.

JOINT OWNERSHIP

If an investment property is jointly owned, then the rental income and expenses from the property must be divided among the co-owners according to their legal interest in the property. 

 

Make sure that your interest expense claims are correctly calculated, rental income is correctly apportioned between owners, claims for costs to repair damage and defects at the time of purchase are depreciated and that holiday homes are genuinely available for rent.

DEPRECIATION

Regardless of whether a property buyer is an owner-occupier or a landlord the importance of correct record-keeping is paramount when it comes to depreciation.

 

Landlords may be entitled to claim depreciation for the declining value of assets such as stoves, carpets and hot-water systems. It is important you get an ATO compliant depreciation schedule so you can claim against the income of the property.

DECLARING INCOME

When it comes to declaring taxable income, property investors need to account for more than just the amount of rent they received from tenants over the course of the financial year. 

 

Over the last financial year many landlords lost rental income or bookings as a result of COVID restrictions. These losses can't be claimed as a tax deduction, but you can still claim your expenses, including interest on deferred loan payments.

 

If you have received back payment of rent or an insurance payout for lost rent, this is assessable income and must be included in your tax return.

 

Property investors also need to account for sources of income like rental bond money they are entitled to retain if a tenant defaults on their rent or they incur maintenance costs.

 

Short-term rental platforms also come under the ATO scrutiny with an on-going focus on checking rental deductions and matching reported income against details from real estate agents and providers such as Stayz and AirBnb.

EXPENSES AND DEDUCTION

While there are many expenses that property investors are eligible to deduct come tax time it should be remembered that residential landlords are no longer allowed travel deductions relating to inspecting, maintaining or collecting rent for a rental property.

 

Legal expenses are another tricky area. While costs incurred through the eviction of a non-paying tenant or disputing damages can be claimed as tax-deductible expenses, the cost of getting a solicitor to prepare any loan documents is not. 

 

If you changed the way you use your investment property during the year, you may need to adjust your deductions. You can't claim any losses or deductions for any period it wasn't available to rent, for example, if you stayed in your rental property during COVID lockdowns.

CAPITAL GAINS

While property investors will only need to navigate capital gains tax when they decide to sell, it's important to get it right.

 

You should carefully time the disposal of appreciating assets, as this may trigger a capital gain. It is important to recognise that CGT is triggered when you enter into a contract for the sale of a CGT asset rather than on its settlement.

 

Where the entry and settlement of a contract straddle the end of the financial year period, it may be preferable from a cash flow perspective to defer the sale of the CGT asset to the subsequent year where other relief may be available.

 

As a property investor it is important to get the right expertise come tax time. Be sure to engage a tax agent or accountant so that you maximise your deductions but also ensure that all income is declared.

SEEK EXPERT HELP FROM US

The first home buyer market has been set alight with government subsidies and low interest rates. Hence the demand for rental properties has dropped and rental prices stagnate. Investors have been overwhelmed by the prices owner occupiers are paying and lack of investment return on these prices. The sentiment will turn when rates creep higher and those subsidies are removed. Opportunities for investors will emerge and you need to be finance ready when they do arise. Here at M Point Finance we can review existing property portfolios and look to see where excess capital can be utilised to maximise the portfolio return.


Reach out to Andrew (alennon@mpoint.com.au) and we can assist with your new financing needs.

Important: M Point Financial Solutions Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence 391237) advises clients should not act solely on the basis of the material contained in the newsletter. Items herein are general comments only and do not constitute or convey advice per se. Also changes in legislation may occur quickly. We therefore recommend that our formal advice be sought before acting in any of the areas. Newsletters are issued as a helpful guide to clients and for their private information. Therefore it should be regarded as confidential and not be made available to any person without our prior approval.

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