More than two-thirds of property investors under-utilise allowable deductions against the income they receive from their investment property, according to quantity surveyors Opteon Property Group. CEO Greg Sugars says many investors are also unsure of how depreciation could boost their cash flow.  
 
“Having an improved cash flow reduces debt and saves substantial interest costs over the term of an investment loan, potentially enabling the investor to add additional property to their portfolio sooner.”
 
According to Sugars, the capital outlay on an investment property is usually made up of three components, and each of these items is treated separately for depreciation purposes:
 
• The land
• The building – Division 43, Building Write-off Allowance
• The plant and equipment – Division 40 Plant and Equipment Allowance
 
Subject to the construction date, these deductions may be claimed immediately against the capital outlay.
 
It should be noted that neither the land value nor any landscaping which may be done are depreciable and cannot be claimed.

Plant and equipment

 
When plant items such as carpets, ovens, cook tops, dishwashers, drapes, blinds, heaters and hot water systems have been purchased for the sole purpose of generating rental income, the cost or value can be written off over its ‘effective life’ as an eligible tax deduction. The ‘effective life’ is the length of time it can be used for producing rental income.  
 
At the time of purchase of the investment property, all plant items can be valued by a quantity surveyor and given an effective life from the date of settlement.
 
Investors should assess whether they think the potential value of the plant, and therefore the potential depreciable claim, will outweigh the cost of having a quantity surveyor value the plant and prepare the subsequent depreciation schedule.
 
“Even if you haven’t been claiming this eligible deduction as yet, there’s an allowance in the legislation for lodging an amended assessment to account for the unclaimed depreciation for a period of up to four years,” says Nad Nadana-Sabesan, Opteon’s national manager of quantity surveying.
 
Methods of depreciation
 
In preparing the tax depreciation schedule, two methods of depreciation can be used: diminishing value and prime cost, with the choice of method claimed being at the discretion of the property investor and their accountant.
 
Any schedule prepared should summarise the yearly claims under both depreciation methods, and include a detailed breakdown of Division 40 and Division 43 values, highlight the valuation methodology used and come with a certification of compliance.
 
Should you claim depreciation?
 
Claiming depreciation increases an investor’s cash flow as they’re able to realise all allowable deductions against the income they receive from their investment property, under the Income Assessment Act 1997.  
 
Nadana-Sabesan believes that investors often overlook the eligible deduction for depreciation of Building Write-off Allowance and Plant and Equipment Allowances when claiming deductions against rental income received from an investment property.  
 
 “Our research shows that many accountants aren’t aware of the potential for these eligible deductions, and their clients are therefore only claiming for ‘upkeep’ costs incurred during a relevant financial year,” says Nadana-Sabesan.
 
“More often than not, property investors only start claiming eligible deductions for depreciation once they incur the cost of replacement items,” he says.  
 
“For example, when they put in a new hot water service or new carpet, or when they carry out capital/structural improvements, like a renovated kitchen or bathroom. Little do they know that there may have been an allowance for the depreciation of the original construction costs, or the purchase price of the property,” he adds.
 
How can you get a depreciation schedule?
Only a qualified quantity surveyor can prepare depreciation schedules on behalf of an investor.
 
“The legislation is quite prescriptive and clearly states that a quantity surveyor should have the skill and experience within the construction and building industry to assess the cost and value of a building and its plant,” says Sugars.
 
“Accordingly, they’re able to prepare a tax depreciation schedule pursuant to the requirements of the Australian Taxation Office.”  
 

Greg Sugars is the CEO of Opteon Property Group. Contact Opteon on 1300 798 533 or www.opteonpropertygroup.com