Even garden gnomes can deliver tax benefits to property investors

At this time of year thousands of property investors throughout Australia are preparing their tax returns for the last financial year.

Many of these property investors may not know that a tax depreciation report undertaken by a professional tax depreciation company can identify hundreds of items in an investment property for which you can claim legitimate depreciation benefits.

With rental returns in many capital cities falling or stagnant, owners of investment properties in Australia can significantly boost their cash flow by claiming these tax deductions on a large number of various household items through depreciation benefits.

It may surprise many property investors that even garden gnomes can be depreciated for tax purposes.

Under taxation ruling TR2006/15 garden gnomes can be depreciated for tax purposes as plant over their economic life.

The unfortunate reality is that a larger number of  investors throughout Australia totally underestimate the number of items that can be depreciated for tax purposes and this comprehensive list can even include garden gnomes, cubby houses and if they own an apartment, then common areas such as car parking and recreational facilities.

The tax benefits associated with negative gearing can be very signification with DEPPRO clients achieving tax benefits obtained through depreciation equivalent to 60% of the total purchase price of the property.  In some cases these tax benefits can total $300,000 based on a purchase price of $500,000.

To qualify for these legitimate tax deductions, an investor must have a fully compliant tax depreciation company undertake an onsite inspection of the property and then compile a depreciation report based on this inspection.
Estimates of tax depreciation benefits for an investment property made from an office desk will not be accepted by the ATO.

Depreciation is a complex area of taxation that requires a professional company to undertake a depreciation report because of constant changes in rules.

The ATO is now taking a more aggressive approach to tax deductions made by residential investors and has asked a large number to provide more details about their claims relating to property investment.

Property investors should check that the company undertaking their tax depreciation schedule is a member of the The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS).

Employing a company who is a member of AIQS such as DEPPRO gives protection to consumers that their tax depreciation report complies is completed in a professional manner.

About Paul Bennion

Paul Bennion is the managing director of DEPPRO tax depreciation specialists.

DEPPRO Pty Ltd is Australia’s leading property depreciation company, specialising solely in the preparation of tax depreciation reports for residential, commercial, industrial and leisure investment properties.