There are many myths floating around when it comes to tax depreciation. Especially regarding what property investors are entitled to claim.
Below are some of the most common myths I have heard during my time as a qualified Quantity Surveyor.
NOTE: Information below regarding plant and equipment items may only apply to properties purchased prior to May 9, 2017 – Read about the Budget changes here).
Myth 1: The Commissioner’s effective life ruling must be used for all assets, no exceptions.
Truth: The Commissioner of Taxation’s ruling only applies to new depreciable assets.
For example;
In 2004, the commissioner wrote in the ruling that the effective life for new internal window blinds is ten years. He does not mention that the effective life for second-hand internal window blinds is 10 years also. So, if you have purchased a 5-year-old building with 5-year-old internal window blinds, you are not able to depreciate the blinds using a 10-year effective life.
A quantity surveyors role is to maximise depreciation deductions for the client. In order to do this, they must assess the effective life of second hand assets. And not just assume all of the assets in the property are brand new assets.
Also, it is important to note that if an asset is not listed in the depreciation schedule, it does not mean you are not able to claim for that asset. If it is a depreciable asset, you are able to claim it!
If an asset is purchased after the completion of the report, or you did not provide the information to the quantity surveyor, your accountant is able to include the asset for you.
Myth 2: If the assets in the property are destroyed I am able to claim the balance of the depreciation.
Truth: Some of this myth is partly true. The Division 43 capital works states that where a taxpayer’s capital works are destroyed, a deduction is permitted under the Undeducted Construction Expenditure rule.
However, if they receive an amount under a different insurance policy for the destruction of the assets, they are required by law to reduce the Undeducted Construction Expenditure by that amount.
Under Division 40, if a taxpayer ceases to own a depreciating asset (either sold or destroyed the item), or does not use a depreciating asset (no use for it any longer), a balancing adjustment will occur.
A balancing adjustment amount can be calculated by comparing the asset’s termination value (sale proceeds) and its adjustable value (written down value). If the termination value is greater, you include the excess in your assessable income. However, if the termination value is less, you deduct the difference.
Myth 3: Once the depreciable asset is found, you can claim depreciation on it.
Truth: Through past experiences, I have learnt that most investment home owners use their properties at some point during the year. This, however, creates incorrect figures in their tax depreciation schedule.
The purpose of a depreciation schedule is to inform a taxpayer on what they can include in their tax return. Without considering whether or not there has been private use of the property, or figuring out how to adjust the depreciation amounts to the correct sum, is at best misleading and at worse illegal.
Myth 4: All costs in acquiring a rental property should be able to be depreciated in one way or another.
Truth: This has mostly been covered by Myth 1 already. But this is the most common myth so I am going to explain it in more depth. 
I have found that QSs are continually finding any asset to attach any and all costs to in order to claim a deduction, without properly following the laws.
For example, an investment property owner’s fence is damaged and the owner spends money on the repairs. The QS sees the cost the owner has spent and includes that whole sum in their depreciation schedule, depreciating it over 40 years at 2.5%. This is wrong.
A repair should be claimed at 100% in the year in which it was incurred.
Myth 5: Once I have spent money on a asset or a capital work I am able to claim it.
Truth: Under Division 40, you are only able to start depreciating an asset once it has been “used or installed ready for use”. Not as soon as you have paid for the asset.
For capital works under Division 43, you can claim deductions only once construction has been completed.
Myth 6: If I am unable to find the depreciable asset in the Commissioner’s yearly ruling, I cannot depreciate it.
Truth: The intention for the Comissioner’s ruling is to estimate the effective lives of assets. Not to decide what is a depreciable asset.
A depreciable asset is defined as an asset with a limited effective life. Therefore they are expected to decline in value over time.
Myth 7: Your assets are always deducted at 2.5%.
Truth: The rate at which assets are deducted is almost always 2.5%. However, there is one time you can get 4%.
However, there are times when a 4% deduction is applicable.
For example, a 4% rate will apply on an income-producing use of a building regarding an industrial manner.
About Tyron Hyde
Tyron Hyde is the CEO of Washington Brown Quantity Surveyors. He is regarded as one of the industry's leading experts in property tax depreciation, is regularly quoted in the media & asked to speak at conferences.
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