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Tips to help property investors maximise their tax returns.

Don’t you just love getting a tax refund? Whilst nobody enjoys all the paperwork that goes with filing a tax return, getting it right can be rewarding particularly if you’re a property investor. One of the major benefits of investing in property over other asset classes, is support for your investment from the Australian government in the form of tax relief. And of course, if you have a property investment or are considering investing in property soon, you won’t want to miss out on a single cent from any of the deductions that are available to you. Here are some tips to help you maximise your tax benefits this financial year if you are a property investor.

Make sure you’re claiming every cent you can for depreciation.

Depreciation is one of the major tax benefits that property investors can claim. Depreciation occurs as an item’s worth becomes less over time as it is used and it wears out. When you’re talking about a tax deduction, depreciation is a method of allocating the cost of an item over its useful life. For example, if your investment property has an oven that is valued at $1,000 and has a ten year life, you can claim $100 against your taxable income for 10 years on that individual item.

With an investment property, you are only allowed to claim depreciation on certain items against your taxable income. There are two types of depreciation tax deductions that you can claim:

  • Depreciation on plant & equipment: this refers to items within the building like ovens, hot water heaters, air conditioners, carpets, blinds, light fittings and so on.
  • Depreciation on buildings or ‘building allowance’: this refers to the construction costs of the building itself, such as concrete, brickwork, and so on.

In order to make a tax claim for depreciation, you need a report that identifies all the things that may be claimed against your tax and the current value of each item. This is called a depreciation schedule. Unfortunately, the Australian Tax Office will not allow you to create your own depreciation schedule, you’ll need to employ the services of a qualified Quantity Surveyor to do a thorough inspection to identify what can be claimed and make the necessary valuations on those items. But don’t worry, the cost of preparing your depreciation schedule is also tax deductible.

Spend money on property maintenance now so you can claim it back right away.

Every investment property requires maintenance and if you do it in June, you won’t be out of pocket for the expense for very long. If your property’s smoke detectors need servicing, or you haven’t sent the pest control company around for a while, now is a good time to do it. Cleaning, gardening and lawn mowing costs are also usually tax deductible (for you, not your tenant). Any other necessary repairs, maintenance and service costs – like checking the gas and hot water heaters for example, are also tax deductible for most property investors, so consider taking care of any issues before the end of the financial year.

Get back the other money you hate to spend.

When you own a property, it sometimes seems like you have to pay out a lot of money for invisible things that don’t have much benefit for you, which can be annoying. Tax time is when you can get your own back, with land tax, council and water rates, property management fees, advertising costs for marketing the property to tenants, body-corporate and strata-title fees all tax deductible expenses. You can also claim back any travel and car expenses directly related to inspecting your investment properties, but do keep a log book and any relevant receipts.

Remember to claim your finance and insurance costs.

Generally speaking, you are allowed to claim all finance costs associated with your property investment, including bank fees and charges, borrowing costs and interest on your loans. All insurance costs for your investment property are also tax deductible. So if you talk to us about your insurance coverage now, we can make sure you have the right cover for your current needs just in time for you to put in a claim for the cost with this year’s tax return.

Remember, if you’re a property investor or are considering investing in property soon, we’re here to help you get your finances right. We can help you access a loan structure that’s right for your ongoing investment strategy and help you access the most competitive rate available for you considering your personal financial circumstances and goals. Give us a call today.

We recommend that you seek independent financial and taxation advice before acting on any information in this article. General information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. Subject to lenders credit criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply.

June
With wild storms threatening to disrupt property markets all around the country, winter has set in but activity hasn’t cooled!

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) met for its June meeting last week and decided to keep the official cash rate on hold at 1.75%. With low inflation rates and the Aussie dollar creeping higher, forecasters are predicting that the next rate cut may come as soon as August.

Despite a wild start to winter in many capital cities, property markets have been performing well around the country. For the week ending Sunday 05 June, there were 1960 scheduled auctions. Victoria had the highest number of auctions with 959 achieving a clearance rate of 71%. NSW held 654 auctions which achieved a clearance rate of 77%.

During May, home value growth was strong across all capital cities except for Perth where home values fell by 2.65%. Sydney home values increased by 3.09%, Melbourne 1.63%, Brisbane/Gold Coast 0.21%, Adelaide 0.08%, Darwin 0.74%, Canberra 2.49% and Hobart 2.16%.

Following the RBA’s decision to cut the cash rate last month, lenders have cut interest rates on home loan products across the board. Call us now to check your rate on your existing home loan, or to switch to a fixed rate product. We can also access some amazing rates if you are a first home buyer, next home buyer, property investor or are just looking to refinance – so please call us today.

This article originally published here.

The State Government has again pledged its commitment to the exciting and visionary Ocean Reef Marina project, agreeing to sign a new joint Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Joondalup.

Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard was told of the news on Friday (20 May) during a visit to the marina site with local members Ocean Reef MLA Albert Jacob and Joondalup MLA Jan Norberger.

The MOU announcement coincided with news that the State Government has also allocated $500,000 to the project as part of its 2016-17 Budget.

The MOU is a formal agreement that acknowledges a strategic alliance and the shared commitment of the City and the State Government as joint landowners of the site in bringing the Ocean Reef Marina project to fruition.

Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said the MOU was a vital step in a long process as the City could not deliver a project of this size and complexity on its own.

“This document will set out the roles of the City and the State Government and how we will work together to resolve ongoing issues, recognising that a collaborative approach is needed to develop the marina,” he said.

The Mayor said the extra funding would enable the City to continue the planning phase of this complex and multi-faceted project.

The City is currently progressing the environmental and planning approvals for the Ocean Reef Marina via an amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) boundary and a Public Environmental Review of the marine based components.

Mayor Pickard said the State Government’s financial contribution would enable the City to complete the outstanding tasks required for these processes, as well as finalise the Ocean Reef Marina Structure Plan.

“It will also allow the City to undertake any additional environmental work as required by the relevant agencies, respond to submissions arising from the public advertising of the PER, MRS Amendment and Structure Plan, and continue our extensive liaison with key stakeholders,” he said.

“The City has been custodian of the Ocean Reef Marina and championed this project for a considerable amount of time and committed significant resources.

“The environmental and planning approvals process currently underway is complex and challenging, with some 35 different environmental and planning studies or investigations being undertaken in recent times.

“This considerable body of work represents a financial investment of approximately $2.6 million, and whilst there is still some way to go, the funding from the State Government is timely.

“It is anticipated that the MRS Amendment, the PER and the Structure Plan will be advertised for public comment in the latter half of 2016, subject to agreement by the relevant State Government approval agencies.”

In October 2015 the City requested the State Government to take over as proponent of the project, mindful that it does not have the capacity and resources to build the Ocean Reef Marina on its own and would need the State Government or a public/private partnership to develop the facility.

“The City is preparing a structure plan in collaboration with the Department of Planning in its pursuit to obtain the necessary planning approvals that would ensure the desired urban outcomes of the Ocean Reef Marina concept plan,” Mayor Pickard said.

“Moving forward the City aims to work with the State Government to determine how the project is best progressed to construction stage.

“As land owners, the City would still like to be actively involved in the decision making process and work collaboratively with all stakeholders to produce an approved, financially viable, and publicly supported project that is delivered in accordance with community expectations.

“I can assure all of our residents and ratepayers that the City remains extremely determined to see the Ocean Reef Marina come to fruition.”

The Ocean Reef Marina project includes approximately 750 boat pens/stackers, boat ramps and boat trailer parking, hotel/short stay accommodation, residential apartments and single lots, food and beverage outlets, retail and service commercial, public open space and community amenities, an Internal beach, sea sports club and sea rescue facilities.

FAST FACTS

2016 – City receives funding from State Government in 2016-17 Budget to continue approval processes. State Government agrees to sign another Memorandum of Understanding with the City.

2015 – City calls on State Government to become the proponent of Ocean Reef Marina project.

2014 – Initiation of the Metropolitan Region Scheme boundary amendment by the Western Australian Planning Commission.

Environmental Protection Authority determined to assess the marine based components (under section 38 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986) via a Public Environmental Review.

2013 – Submission to the Western Australian Planning Commission of a request to amend the Metropolitan Region Scheme boundary.

2012- Signing of the Ocean Reef Marina Memorandum of Understanding with the State Government.

2011 – An amended concept plan was endorsed by Council as the basis for the preparation of the Local Structure Plan for the development.

2009 – Concept plan seven endorsed by Council for community consultation. Received 95.6% support from the almost 12,000 respondents who made submissions.

2007- Ocean Reef Marina Committee, Government Steering Committee and Community Reference Group established.

This article was originally published here and although a couple of years old, most information is still valid.

Northern Perth’s Joondalup region is adjusting to the moderating market of the city.

The northern beaches Joondalup region includes Burns Beach, Edgewater, Joondalup, Connolly, Heathridge, Kinross, Currambine, Iluka and Ocean Reef. The suburb of Joondalup itself acts as a hub to Perth’s outer northern suburbs.

The push to establish Joondalup as an urban centre extends back to 1970, with the Corridor Plan for Perth. A number of retail and transport infrastructure initiatives have been implemented around the area in the past 40 years to facilitate urban development and direct activity to Joondalup. Joondalup was highlighted in the West Australian state government’s Directions 2031 strategy as one of two primary centres in the Perth metropolitan area, along with Rockingham.

The area’s CBD has a strong retail focus and has seen considerable residential development in recent years, with a relatively high density of townhouses and apartments. With the presence of Edith Cowan University, a healthy retail and entertainment district, established parks and in close proximity to the beach and Lake Joondalup, the area has attracted demand from the middle class lifestyle market.

The greater region of Joondalup had a median house price of $588,750 in March, while units in the area sold for a median price of $415,000. A two bedroom Joondalup apartment in the block pictured below sold for $408,000 in February.

According to Australian Property Monitors senior economist Andrew Wilson, Joondalup’s appeal to middle income earners has lent the area some resilience against the changes seen in Perth’s market.

“Joondalup is in the middle price range area,” said Wilson.

“There’s a bit of a lifestyle market there. With all the new developments that have been established in that area, we’re seeing middle price bracket, executive type buyers.

“Because of that nature of the market, it tends to be quite resilient. The big picture is that Perth is moderating. The latest data shows that Perth’s market has plateaued.

“We’re seeing quite a significant upward shift in unemployment in Perth, which has moderated lately.”

According to data from the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia, listings in Joondalup and the neighbouring Wanneroo jumped earlier this year, up 28% in the March quarter from December.

Despite Joondalup’s relative strength, its property market must still deal with exposure to Perth’s labour market, said Wilson.

“The Perth labour market has seen some difficulties with absorbing eastern state migration, which saw rents get pushed up quite sharply in some suburbs of Perth. Perth prices rose 10% last year, and with rising unemployment, we’re starting to see some affordability issues.

“And the lifestyle market can certainly be affected by job security and affordability issues. But as the economy does pick up and absorb that unemployment, incomes will grow.”

The slowing mining sector in Western Australia has seen a shift in focus for the region, with the city of Joondalup launching new initiatives to market the region as Perth’s “knowledge capital”. How well the region responds to the state’s shifting economy remains to be seen, but strong infrastructure investment in the area in the past and extending into the future ensures that it will remain a significant urban centre for Perth’s northern corridor.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia/Creative Commons.

After a long wait the residents of Girrawheen, Koondoola and Wanneroo have finally had their rezoning formally approved and can now start submissions for subdivision STCA (Subject to Council Approval). Quinns Rocks, Yanchep & Two Rocks are currently still in the consultation stage.

You can find more information on the City of Wanneroo website or by calling your Element Finance Joondalup home loan expert.

http://www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au/info/20017/planning_and_building/50/residential_recoding

 


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