In Australia, we property investors are fortunate. Why? Because we can claim the cost of construction for investment property as a tax deduction.

This doesn’t happen worldwide, so we should make the most of it, as property investors can.

Even the recent depreciation law changes did not change the fact that we offset our taxable income by claiming the wear and tear of our investment property against our taxable income.

What Is The Capital Works Deduction Rental Property?

The capital works allowance, or the building allowance as it is more commonly called, refers to the construction costs of the building itself, including items such as concrete and brickwork.

It is referred to as Division 43 Capital Allowances in the Income Tax Assessment Act.

How much can I claim in depreciation?

Use our free tax depreciation calculator to work out how much you can claim:

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1987
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2024
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Estimated Results

Years Diminishing Value Prime Cost
Year 1 $0.00 $0.00
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Capital Works Allowance Rental Property

Capital works deductions are income tax deductions. These allowances can claim for building construction costs or the cost of altering or improving a property.

Regarding residential properties, the general deductions are spread over 40 years. When purchasing a property, remember that the capital works deductions cannot exceed the construction expenditure.

Also, no depreciation deductions are available until the construction has been completed if you are waiting on a new build to claim your deductions.

Determining deductions based on actual construction expenditure applies to capital works. Some examples are as follows;

Learn more about the building allowance by watching this video

What Can be Claimed As A Capital Work Allowance?

Construction expenditure refers to the actual cost of constructing the building or extension. Deductions are possible on the expenses incurred in constructing a building based on the original construction cost.

Items that can be included within the building cost include:

Capital Works Deduction Allowance

What can’t be claimed as a Rental Property Capital Works Deduction?

Some of these costs that are not included are listed below;

What is the rate of the deduction?

The capital works deduction allowance rate depends on several factors:

These rates have been determined by the Australian Taxation Office – Capital Works Rate.

Capital Works Deduction Rate

Do I have to make a cost base adjustment for capital works deductions claimed?

Cost base adjustments refer to determining a rental property’s capital gain or loss.

The cost base and reduced cost base of the property may need to be reduced to the extent that it includes construction expenditure which you, as an investor, can claim in capital works deductions.

If you claim the capital works deduction, you need to factor the amount you have asserted into the equation when you sell the property.

But, using the principle that a dollar claimed today is better than a dollar later – it’s better to claim the deduction.

The other factor to consider is that if you hold your property for more than one year, your Capital Gains Tax payable is halved.

So, as property investors, it’s better to claim the capital works allowance than not.

How do you calculate how much I can claim?

To calculate how much housing depreciation you can claim in capital works deduction, you need to understand the principle of the deduction applicable.

As you can see from the above graph, the 15th of September 1987 is an important date for residential property, as that is the date the construction has to commence after.

The capital works deduction rate is 2.5% of the original construction cost.

So, let’s say you build a property today for $350K; you first need to deduct the plant, equipment, and landscaping out of the equation.

That will leave $300k in capital works deductions available.

You can claim the $300k at a rate of 2.5% per annum over forty years – that equates to $7,500 per annum if I continue to hold that property for forty years.

Now, let’s say in 20 years, I buy that property as an investment. I will still only be able to claim $7,500 per annum, but I will only be able to do that for another 20 years in your tax returns.

Using the Capital Works Deduction Calculator, you can estimate your capital works deductions allowance.

Why use Washington Brown to calculate my capital works deductions?

Get a Capital Works Deduction Quote if you want to start claiming capital works deductions for your investment property.

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.

Learn why more Property Investors Choose Washington Brown to prepare their depreciation reports.