Salary packaging residential rental property expenses to beat the GST 

When you have a loan and don't pay the accrued interest, this interest can be added to your loan balance. This added interest, known as 'compound interest', builds up over time. According to Taxation Determination TD 2008/27, the rules for deducting this type of interest from your taxes are the same as for regular interest. It all depends on why you borrowed the money and how you use it, as explained in the case Hart v FCT [2002] FCAFC 222.

However, be cautious of the general anti-avoidance rules under Part IVA, especially when dealing with 'linked' or 'split' loan facilities. In a linked loan scenario, repayments might be directed towards a non-income producing loan, allowing the interest on the income-producing loan to capitalize, which means it's added to the loan balance and accrues more interest. Similarly, a split loan facility involves one loan divided into sub-accounts for different purposes—one for generating income and another for personal use.

Be mindful of how you manage these loans to avoid potential tax issues. If you need further clarification or assistance, please reach out to Tax Ideas Accountants & Advisers at            +61 2 83181545 or book an appointment through our live calendar.

Understanding Interest Expenses and ATO Scrutiny for Landlords

Interest expenses are the most scrutinized deductions by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), especially for individual landlords. According to the ATO's 'Taxation Statistics 2016-17,' about 46.5% of total rental deductions claimed are for interest expenses, averaging $8,947 per claim in the 2017 income year.

The ATO is vigilant about ensuring that taxpayers don't overclaim interest expenses, particularly targeting those who fail to accurately allocate interest deductions when there are loan redraws for private purposes or if rental properties are used for personal use.

Common mistakes landlords make when claiming interest deductions include:

1. Using the property for private purposes, even briefly.
2. Using a portion of the loan for personal expenses, either at the loan's inception or through refinancing.
3. Using a loan to purchase a non-income-producing home, even if a rental property is used as security for the loan.
4. Repaying an income-producing loan ahead of schedule and then redrawing funds for personal use.

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact Tax Ideas Accountants & Advisers at +61 2 83181545 or book an appointment through our live calendar.

New Restrictions on Second-Hand Asset Depreciation for Rental Property Owners

Since the 2018 income year, certain rental property owners, like individuals, trusts, SMSFs, and certain partnerships, face limitations on claiming depreciation for second-hand assets. These restrictions affect assets acquired after 7:30 pm AEST on May 9, 2017, for residential rental properties.

Basically, if you buy a second-hand asset for your rental property after this date, you can't claim depreciation deductions starting from July 1, 2017. There are also transitional rules affecting deductions for certain assets bought before May 9, 2017, and exceptions to consider (see S.40-27).

However, the rules for claiming depreciation on new assets in rental properties and applicable capital works write-offs under Division 43 remain unchanged.

Similarly, if you use a depreciating asset in your rental property for a purpose other than earning rental income (like installing solar panels for generating electricity), the rules for claiming depreciation remain the same.

Got questions? Reach out to Tax Ideas Accountants & Advisers at +61 2 83181545 or book an appointment on ourlive calendar.