investment loan tax, negative gearing, property taxes

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Tax and negative gearing

Having a good understanding of the tax issues involved in property investment is vital if you are planning to build a solid investment portfolio. This knowledge will also give you a true idea of how much your investment will cost you each year.

• Expenses
• Negative Gearing
• Depreciation
• Other Property Taxes
• GST

Expenses

Your Smartline Mortgage Broker can provide you with an indicative cashflow analysis of your investment property over time, including loan repayments, strata fees, rates, management fees, maintenance costs, and property taxes.

Negative gearing

An investment property is ‘negatively geared’ when the mortgage interest and other tax deductions – such as management fees, maintenance costs, and rates – are greater than the rental income. This results in a net loss that may be offset against your other income (such as your salary), to lower your overall tax bill.

In this way, the tax man – as well as your tenants – helps you to pay for your investment property. Hopefully your property is steadily appreciating in value in the meantime.

Depreciation

One of the key elements of an investment property’s effectiveness is the ability to make it a tax-effective investment strategy by depreciating items. In order to get all the deductions you are entitled to, it is recommended that you call on the help of an expert. Specialist companies can inspect your property and estimate the cost of the building’s capital works, along with the value of fixtures and fittings.            

Other property taxes

As well as council and water rates, investors can expect to pay capital gains tax and land tax. Capital gains tax applies to investment properties purchased after 19 September 1985 and sold after a period of 12 months. Land tax is a State-based annual tax that is based on land value only, and is tax-deductible in relation to any income-producing property.

GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Property investors are unable to claim GST credits for general property expenses that incur GST, such as management fees and repairs and maintenance, as GST does not apply to rental income. GST does not apply to interest and mortgage repayments, Bank charges and fees, and council and water rates.

More in this section: Avoiding mortgage stress Paying off your home loan faster Investing in property to get ahead Tax and negative gearing Home loan health check