Legislation

Changes to Tax Depreciation Laws

Changes to Tax Depreciation Laws

Today the Australian parliament passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Tax Integrity) Bill 2017.

These changes mean that those who purchased second-hand residential properties after 7:30pm on the 9th of May, 2017 will not be able to claim tax depreciation on the existing Plant and Equipment – for example blinds, carpets, and air conditioning. This is to prevent ‘double-dipping’ by successive owners of the property claiming depreciation on the same pieces of Plant and Equipment. The new owner will still be able to claim depreciation on any new pieces of plant and equipment that they purchase themselves.

Budget Update

Budget Update

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.