Investment properties are a great long-term investment. However, if you're considering buying residential or commercial investment property you need to be up to speed on important tax, GST and capital gains rules.
That way, you know exactly where you can save money - and what you're up for depending on your situation.
Tax rates if you don't have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
If you buy a residential property you don't need an ABN. However, if you ever purchase any goods or services for the property that cost more than $50, your supplier has to include an ABN on their invoice, or 48.5% of your payment will have to go to the tax office.
For example, if an electrician invoices you $500 to install some lights and there's no ABN on the invoice, you pay him $257.50 and withhold $247.50 for the Tax Office.
If you own a commercial property, you definitely need an ABN, or the business renting your property has to withhold 48.5% of their rent for tax - and we don't want that!
GST and commercial property rent
You usually only have to worry about GST when you buy a commercial property. If your:
gross rent, excluding GST, is more than $50,000 a year, you need to be registered for GST.
gross rent is less than $50,000 you can voluntarily register for GST.
And if you are registered for GST you:
must include it in the rent you charge
can claim GST credits for any rental expenses
need a tax invoice to claim the GST credits on any purchases you make
must give your business tenant a tax invoice so that they can claim the GST in the rent.
GST and your renter
If your renter is registered for GST and they use the premises solely for business:
the amount of rent will include GST
you can claim GST credits.
If your renter is not registered for GST or the rent is partly for private use:
GST is based on the market value not the amount they pay you.
For example, say you rent office space to someone who's not registered for GST and they pay you $220 per week, but the market value rent is $440 per week. You'll still need to account for $40 GST so you can claim GST credits.
Are you earning additional income from the property?
On top of rent, there are other potential income streams to remember, such as:
profit generated from the use of the rental property.
bond money if you entitled to keep any
insurance payouts for things like such as compensation for lost rent
Claiming on property expenses
At the other end of the scale, there are the inevitable expenses such as:
maintenance costs
body corporate fees and charges.
What you might be able to claim expenses for
In addition, there are things you might be able to claim for over a number of years including:
borrowing expenses
amounts for decline in value of depreciating assets
a capital works deduction for the cost of capital improvements
capital repairs once the cost has been charged to the appropriate fund.
What you can't claim expenses for
Make sure you don't include:
time rented below commercial value. For example, if you let your daughter run her business out of there at no cost until she gets on her feet, you can't claim deductions for this period.
levies paid to a special fund for particular capital expenditure.
special contributions for major capital expenses to be paid out of the general purpose sinking fund.
costs of buying and selling the property (see capital gains below)
More than one owner
If you own your property with someone else then rental income and expenses must be attributed to each co-owner according to your legal interest in the property regardless of any other agreement you might have.
Capital gains tax on rental property
Capital gains tax is the tax you pay on any gain made on an income-producing asset eg investment properties. Depending on when you bought your rental property, capital gains tax might apply when you sell it.
Some of your expenses can reduce your capital gains tax. However, there are some expenses - like the costs of buying or selling the property - you can't claim as deductions.
And if the property is owned by more than one person, each of you may have to pay capital gains tax based on your legal interest in the property.
Keep records of everything
You need to keep records of all your income and expenses relating to your rental property. And hold on to them for five years after you sell it.
For capital gains tax purposes, you must have records stating whether you:
bought the property
inherited it
received it in a divorce settlement or as a gift
make improvements to property.
Note: The information within this text and any reference to Australian taxation issues are intended as a guide only. You should seek accounting and tax advice based on your personal situation.
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