Deferrals of interest due to COVID-19
Many lenders have recently allowed borrowers with investment property loans to defer repayments for a period of time. While repayments are being deferred, interest (and fees) will usually be added to the loan balance (i.e. the deferred interest will be “capitalised”). However, it is important to recognise in such situations that, while repayments are not […]
Property inspections – are physical inspections necessary?
COVID-19 and tax depreciation reports Where a physical inspection of premises is not performed, this increases the risk of deductions being missed or errors being made. Property investors and businesses will often engage a specialist quantity surveyor to prepare a tax report on capital works and depreciation deductions available to them under the tax law […]
HomeBuilder
Economic Response to the Coronavirus HomeBuilder provides eligible owner-occupiers (including first home buyers) with a grant of $25,000 to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing home. HomeBuilder will assist the residential construction market by encouraging the commencement of new home builds and renovations. You will be able to apply for HomeBuilder when […]
New vacant land tax measures
Vacant land measure limit deductibility A new ‘vacant land’ measure limits the deductibility of costs incurred on or after 1 July 2019 (i.e. from the 2020 income year) that relate to holding vacant land, even if the land in question was first held before that date. Importantly, however, the new provisions include (amongst other exceptions) […]
ATO on property investments
Investing in property? The ATO has reminded taxpayers in a property business or thinking about investing in property that there are things they should know. Such as: they need a clearance certificate from the supplier when buying property over $750,000; they may have to pay the GST on the sale of brand new residential property […]
Government announces mandatory code for rent relief
Relief for commercial tenants The Government has announced a range of measures to help renters. This includes a temporary hold on evictions and a mandatory code of conduct for commercial tenancies to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) affected by coronavirus. Hold on evictions for renters Evictions will be put on hold over the […]
No CGT main residence exemption for non-residents
CGT main residence exemption for individuals who are foreign residents The Government recently tabled legislation, making its second attempt to deny access to the CGT main residence exemption for individuals who are foreign residents (i.e. non-resident taxpayers for Australian tax purposes). The restrictions to this CGT exemption will apply to taxpayers who are a non-resident […]
Reporting asset disposals for CGT
ATO’s data-matching capabilities increase Close attention being paid to capital gains made on shares, property and cryptocurrency. Therefore, it’s important to let us know about any asset disposals (which can include an asset’s sale, loss or destruction) and to keep records relating to CGT events, including asset disposals, for at least five years after the […]
Company or trust home-based business deductions
Deductions for a company or trust home-based business The ATO reminds taxpayers that, if they run their home-based business as a company or trust, their business should have a genuine, market-rate rental contract (or similar agreement) with the owner of the property. The agreement will determine which expenses the business pays for and can claim […]
Is it time to go off-grid?
Pros and cons 0f off-grid living Once considered a radical way to live, many Australians are now viewing an off-grid lifestyle as both economically and environmentally savvy. We delve into some of the pros and cons and whether it’s a good choice for you. Just a few years ago, going off-grid wasn’t something many people […]
