The proposed changes announced last week in the Federal Budget effecting Negative Gearing are designed to restrict the tax deductions available when an investor buys an established residential property. Anyone who buys an established property for investment purposes after 7.30pm on the 9th of May 2017 will no longer be able to claim depreciation on the Plant & Equipment – Division 40 (fixtures & fittings) that comes with the property, including in strata common areas. It is designed to prevent ‘double-dipping’ by all successive owners of the property claiming depreciation on the same pieces of plant & equipment.