Don’t Lose Your Entitlements

Sydney Depreciation Schedules: Unlock Serious Property
Tax Savings

Trusted by Accountants & Backed by ATO-Compliant Reporting.

Maximise your tax deductions with Sydney’s trusted depreciation schedules. Over 45 years of ATO-compliant expertise – book your report now.

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315,000+
Reports
45+ Years
Experience

100%
ATO Acceptance
AIQS
Members

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Sydney is one of Australia’s most competitive and opportunity-rich property markets. From CBD apartments and Inner West terraces, to Western Sydney family homes and Hills District townhouses … the right investments can bring you powerful long-term gains.

But, every single year, countless Sydney investors hand over more tax to the ATO than necessary … simply because they aren’t claiming everything they are legally entitled to.

Washington Brown is Australia’s depreciation schedule specialist, backed by 45+ years of experience and more than 315,000 accepted reports. We help ambitious Sydney investors boost cash flow, strengthen portfolios, and build long-term wealth … all through ATO-compliant schedules that lead to legitimate tax savings.

Ready to discover what you could claim on your Sydney investment property?

Sydney Property Depreciation Calculator

Before you commit to a full report, why not see what your potential claim might look like?

Our Sydney depreciation calculator gives you an accurate estimate … allowing you to calculate the likely tax depreciation deduction for your investment property. All you need to do is enter details such as:

  • Purchase price
  • Build year and purchase date
  • Property type (unit, house, townhouse, commercial)
  • Whether the property is brand new or previously owned

Then, the calculator shows estimated deductions under both:

  • Diminishing Value – higher claims in the early years, ideal if you want to boost cash flow quickly.
  • Prime Cost – a more even spread of deductions over time.

Once you have your estimate, the next step is to ask us for a no-obligation quote so we can confirm our tax-deductible fee and how much a prepared schedule could save you!

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Depreciation Schedule Calculator

FIRST 10 YEAR TOTAL CLAIM

$35,234

SHOW FULL 10 YEAR BREAKDOWN down arrow icon

Quick Answers for Sydney Property Investors

Do I Really Need a Depreciation Schedule for My Sydney Investment Property?

If it generates income, the answer is yes! Without a professional depreciation schedule, you’re missing out on serious tax savings. We identify every eligible Capital Works (Division 43) and Plant & Equipment (Division 40) item to ensure your tax return is fully optimised.

Who Can Prepare a Tax Depreciation Schedule in Sydney?

This is important. Under ATO ruling TR 97/25, if the original construction costs are unknown, only a Quantity Surveyor (or a limited group of construction experts) is permitted to estimate those expenses. Your accountant can’t do this valuation!

Washington Brown is a long-established quantity surveying firm and registered tax agent. With a 100 percent ATO acceptance rate … our schedules have never failed an audit.

Can I Still Claim Depreciation on an Older Sydney Investment Property?

Yes, its age doesn’t automatically disqualify a property from substantial savings:

  • Residential properties – generally, you can claim structural deductions (Division 43) if the building was constructed or renovated after September 1987.
  • Commercial properties – the same as residential, deductions are available if construction/renovations commenced after 15th September 1987.

Furthermore, if the building is older, you may still be able to claim on qualifying renovations and new Plant & Equipment you install.

How Much Can Sydney Investors Typically Claim?

It depends on several factors, such as the purchase price, the construction date, the property type, and any renovations or fit-outs. Many Sydney investors are surprised at how much a schedule uncovers … often thousands of dollars in extra deductions in year one, and tens of thousands over time.

To get an idea of your potential claim, use our Property Depreciation Calculator and then obtain a Free Depreciation Estimate.

Do You Need To Inspect My Sydney Property in Person?

Not always! To ensure efficiency and keep your costs down, we can often use floor plans, high-res photos, and detailed property data.

If your property is complex or has unique commercial fit-outs where an inspection would uncover significantly more deductions, we will recommend one. We never suggest an inspection unless it adds clear value to your bottom line.

Why Savvy Sydney Investors Rely on Depreciation Schedules

Sydney’s investment property market is incredibly diverse. But whether you have a CBD apartment, heritage terrace, duplex, or commercial space, your goals are pretty much the same … maximising your cash flow and streamlining your tax efficiencies.

Whatever your building type, think of it as a vast collection of assets that are constantly ageing. Importantly, Australian tax law understands that this wear and tear happens, and considers it a legitimate tax deduction. A professional depreciation schedule ensures you aren’t leaving that money on the table.

What We Identify in Sydney Investment Properties

Sydney assets often contain high-value items that provide significant tax relief:

Strata Complexes
Common facilities, from lifts and fire systems to gym equipment and foyers.

Modern Renovations
e.g. kitchen upgrades, new bathrooms, and painting.

External Works
Fencing, landscaping, storage cages, and garages.

Warehouses and Retail
 
Mezzanines, racking, industrial lighting, security systems, and specialised shopfront fit-outs, etc.

The Advantages for Your Property Portfolio

A Washington Brown depreciation schedule isn’t just another document … it’s a powerful financial tool that could help you:

  • Unlock thousands in legitimate tax deductions over the life of your property.

  • Forecast with certainty using a detailed 40-year projection of claims.

  • Improve immediate cash flow by significantly lowering taxable income.

  • Ensure compliance with current ATO legislation, protecting you from the risks of over or under-claiming.

And, the best news? Depreciation is a non-cash deduction. Unlike repairs or interest payments, you don’t have to spend any more money to claim it. You’re simply converting the natural ageing of your building into annual tax savings.

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How Your Sydney Depreciation Schedule Works

Our process is reassuringly straightforward … saving you time, providing clarity, and delivering accountant-ready reports.

Get a Free Estimate
or Quote

Start with our Property Depreciation Calculator or get in touch with us for a quote. We’ll ask a few key questions to estimate your likely deductions and confirm whether a schedule will be worthwhile.

Sydney Property Assessment

Once you give us the go-ahead, our depreciation specialists rapidly gather the details we need, typically including:

  • Property address and type
  • Purchase date and price
  • Construction date and ownership structure
  • Details of renovations or improvements
  • Plans, building specifications and photos where available

Inspection (If Required)

Some Sydney properties benefit from a site inspection … particularly those with complex renovations or unique commercial fit-outs. If we believe an inspection will uncover more claimable items, we’ll recommend it. Otherwise, we can rely on documentation and photos to reduce time and costs.

Final ATO-Compliant Report

We prepare your tax depreciation schedule, which includes:

  • Up to 40 years of forecast deductions
  • Clear breakdown of Division 40 (Plant & Equipment) and Division 43 (Capital Works)
  • Deductions calculated under both the Diminishing Value and the Prime Cost methods
  • Year-by-year summaries that your accountant can use in your returns

Check out the style and level of detail in our reports with a Sample Depreciation Schedule.

You and Your Accountant Claim the Deductions!

Once your schedule is complete, your accountant can use it each year to apply the correct depreciation claims. Typically, the additional tax savings in the first year alone more than cover the cost of the report!

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Sydney Depreciation Specialists You Can Trust

Depreciation is too important and valuable to leave to guesswork or run-of-the-mill spreadsheets. In a competitive property investment market like Sydney, you need a genuine specialist who understands the legislative nuances of every asset class. 

Washington Brown is one of Australia’s most respected depreciation firms:

Established in 1978 – over 45 years of experience in Sydney’s property market.
Proven track record – over 315,000 completed schedules accepted by the ATO.
100% audit success – never having failed an ATO audit.
Professional accreditation – registered tax agents and proud members of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS).
Double Your Fee guarantee – for properties built after 1987, we guarantee twice our fee in deductions in the first 12 months, or the report is free!

Local expertise – from CBD apartments to Western Sydney industrial hubs and coastal duplexes.
Maximised claims – identifying every eligible asset, including hidden items like common property and historical structural improvements.
Specialist advice – we provide the strategic insights that help your portfolio grow.

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Where We Work in Sydney and New South Wales

Our Sydney office services the entire metropolitan area and many regional centres across NSW:

Sydney Areas We Serve

  • Sydney CBD and inner-city suburbs
  • Inner West and Eastern Suburbs
  • Western Sydney and Parramatta
  • Hills District and Norwest
  • North Shore and Northern Beaches
  • Blue Mountains and Central Coast
  • Newcastle, Wollongong, and other key regional hubs
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Sydney Depreciation FAQs

Our Sydney office services the entire metropolitan area and many regional centres across NSW:

Can I Claim Depreciation on a Very Old Sydney Investment Property?

Yes … at least, in part. While the original structure of a pre-1987 building might not qualify for Capital Works deductions … you can often claim on:

  • Previous renovations – structural works or improvements completed by past owners after the ATO cutoff dates.
  • New assets – Plant & Equipment like AC units or hot water systems that you have installed yourself.
  • Commercial fit-outs – older Sydney warehouses and shops often contain high-value, fast-depreciating assets.

Our Tax Depreciation page for Older Properties outlines common scenarios.

Can You Backdate a Sydney Depreciation Schedule?

Yes! Typically, we can prepare a retrospective schedule in line with ATO rules to help you regain missed tax deductions:

  • Amendments – individual property investors can usually amend tax returns for the previous two years, while companies can amend returns for the past four years.
  • Schedule – we can calculate depreciation back to your original settlement date, ensuring your current and future claims are accurate.

Can You Help Sydney Investors With Multiple Properties?

Absolutely! We regularly work with investors who have several properties in Sydney and across Australia. Our depreciation quote form lets you list multiple properties … or you can talk to us directly about portfolio pricing.

What Information Do I Need To Provide for a Sydney Property Depreciation Schedule?

Usually, we ask for your property address, purchase date and price, build year, ownership name and information about any renovations or improvements you have completed. Plans and building specifications are also very helpful. Our team will guide you through exactly what is required.

Can You Prepare Depreciation Schedules for Sydney Commercial Properties?

Indeed, we can! We prepare schedules for offices, warehouses, retail spaces, medical suites and other commercial properties right across Sydney.

Please note: The information on this page is general in nature and does not take your personal circumstances into account. You should always seek advice from a qualified tax adviser or accountant before acting on tax information.

Get Your Sydney Depreciation Schedule Started!

Being a serious Sydney property investor doesn’t end at buying in the right suburb at the right price
… it’s also about making every legal deduction count!

Without a professionally prepared tax depreciation schedule, it’s almost impossible to claim everything you are entitled to. A completed report can:

  • Reduce your taxable income

  • Improve your year-to-year cash flow

  • Strengthen the long-term performance of your portfolio

Washington Brown’s registered tax agents and quantity surveyors have spent decades helping Australian investors unlock thousands in legitimate depreciation deductions. Let us help you reclaim what is rightfully yours!

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