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Investment Properties And Tax Benefits The tax benefits for investment property owners, from deductions to negative gearing, and three mistakes to avoid.

5 min readBy Greenline Home Loans

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Currently over 1.8 million Australians own an investment property and one of the main reasons is for the tax benefits they provide! An investment property is a real estate property which is purchased for the purpose of earning an income through the property in a range of ways which may include through renters or through resale of the property in the future.

Buying a commercial or residential property as an investment property is an exciting time – although to make the most of it it is important to understand the ins and outs of an investment property to make the most of tax benefits and other benefits available.

Benefits Of Making Investments In Properties

There are many benefits of investment properties with the main benefit being tax related. Many property-related expenses are tax deductible, which may include maintenance costs or fees paid on your residential or commercial loans.

Some key benefits of investment properties include:

– Rental Income

– Capital growth

– Tax advantages

– Negative Gearing

Having rental income from your tenants is a great way to ensure you have a regular income which is beneficial for cashflow. Landlords can claim a variety of costs including property maintenance costs, council rates, pest control, garden maintenance, agent fees, strata fees, land tax, advertising costs to find a tenant and more.

The main tax benefits and advantages which come with owning an investment property which is a rental property is that you can offset any losses on the rental property against your assessable income. It is possible to pay less tax overtime if the income you receive from the property is less than the expenses associated with owning the property as these costs will be deducted from the owner’s income.

Negative gearing is something to take into consideration when you have an investment property. Negative gearing refers to when the income from the property is less than the rental return, interest, or other related property costs. This can reduce your overall taxable income, meaning that you are reducing the amount of tax you may need to pay – overall saving money in the long run.

Claiming for depreciation on a negatively geared property can result in an improved tax position. This is due to when you claim for depreciation this can increase the overall loss of the investment property which can then be claimed as a tax deduction against personal income. Due to this, there will be a decrease in the investors tax liability and lead to a higher tax refund.

Reach out to the friendly team at Greenline Home Loans who can assist you with commercial property loans, accessing the best home loans, or a construction loan where the real estate property can then be used as an investment property for you to reap the benefits for.

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Top 3 Mistakes To Avoid When Investing In Properties

To get the most out of your investment property it is best to understand your goals and financial situation. Here are some tips for 3 mistakes to avoid when considering an investment property:

1. Not conducting enough research

It is important to carry out sufficient research before acquiring a loan or buying a property which you are intending on becoming an investment property. It is important to research the location of the property you are wanting, the possible zoning requirements in the area you are interested in, the needs and requirements of possible tenants for your property, the condition of the property and more.

Ensuring you have undertaken sufficient research will ensure that you are well-informed about the property you are building or buying and are able to make the decisions based on factual evidence.

2. Not having a plan or strategy in place

It is always beneficial to have a plan or strategy in place regarding your investment property. Real estate can appreciate in value, although time is needed for this to happen. Generally, the longer you are in the market, the higher your capital gains will be. Therefore, it is important to set a plan for if you are planning to invest long-term.

3. Not calculating finances effectively

It is important to ensure the property you are building, or buying is a good financial decision for you long-term. Ensuring you can afford the payments required and maintenance costs by setting aside money or creating an emergency fund can limit financial hardship which may occur.

Speak to the friendly team at Greenline Home Loans who are able to assist with commercial property loans, the best home loans available or construction loans to begin with when you are considering an investment property.

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Reach out to Greenline Home Loans today!

Investment property tax benefits: FAQs

What are the tax benefits of an investment property?

Many of the expenses of owning a rental property are tax deductible, a net rental loss can be offset against your other income (negative gearing), and depreciation on the building and its assets can be claimed each year. Those sit alongside the rental income and the capital growth the property may deliver.

What can you claim on an investment property?

The article lists property maintenance costs, council rates, pest control, garden maintenance, agent fees, strata fees, land tax, advertising to find a tenant, and the fees paid on your residential or commercial loan. Your accountant can confirm what applies to your property.

How does negative gearing reduce tax?

If the income from the property is less than the expenses of owning it, the loss can be offset against your assessable income, so you pay less tax over time. Negative gearing reduces your taxable income rather than the property's costs, so it works best alongside capital growth.

Is the interest on an investment loan tax deductible?

For an investment property, the interest on the loan is part of the annual cost of holding the investment and is claimable against the rental income, as the article's companion piece on interest only loans explains. Your accountant can confirm the treatment for your loan.

How does depreciation help?

Depreciation reflects the wear and tear on the building's structure and assets. Claiming it on a negatively geared property increases the loss you can claim against personal income, which lowers your tax liability and can lead to a higher refund.

What are the main benefits of investing in property?

Rental income from tenants, which helps cash flow; capital growth as the property appreciates over time; tax advantages from deductible expenses; and negative gearing where the property runs at a loss. Together they are why the article says many Australians invest in property.

Which mistakes should property investors avoid?

Three: not doing enough research on the location, zoning, likely tenants and the condition of the property; having no plan or strategy, since real estate takes time to appreciate and the longer you hold the more it can grow; and not calculating the finances, so set aside money or an emergency fund for repayments and maintenance.

How do I finance an investment property?

With an investment property loan for a residential property, a commercial property loan for commercial premises, or a construction loan if you are building the investment. Greenline compares 50+ lenders for each.

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Articles are general information. A Greenline broker can look at your own situation and compare options from 50+ lenders, with no obligation.

This article was published on 9 November 2022 and describes the lending environment at that time. Rates, grants and lender policies change.

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