FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED

FURNISHED PROPERTIES AND DEPRECIATION

B Y BRADLEY BEER, BMT TAX DEPRECIATION

There are no right or wrong answers when deciding whether to furnish your investment property. But there could be big tax savings in doing so, making it more appealing. Furnished rentals tend to attract tenants looking for a short-term arrangement such as travellers and business professionals who regularly move for work. Furnished properties can also allow you to charge a higher rental rate and decrease the amount of time between tenancies by allowing tenants to move in quickly. Investors often don’t consider the advantage of additional tax depreciation deductions available on furniture. If a furniture asset was purchased directly for an investment property, you can claim deprecation. Furniture is a type of plant and

equipment asset. Furniture with a value less than $1,000 can be deducted

using a low-value pool, allowing it to be

depreciated at an accelerated rate 18.75 per cent in the year of purchase, then 37.5 per cent every year following). Higher valued furniture depreciates at a rate set by the Australian Taxation Office, based on each item’s effective life, or "Furnished properties can also allow you to charge a higher rental rate and decrease the amount of time between tenancies..."

how long it can be used to produce income.

A tax depreciation schedule is the best way to ensure you claim all deductions you’re entitled to. BMT found residential property investors an average of almost $9,000 in first full financial year deductions last financial year.

For more information request a quote today or contact the expert team at BMT Tax Depreciation on 1300 728 726.

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR

Article provided by BMT Tax Depreciation. Bradley Beer (B. Con. Mgt, AAIQS, MRICS, AVAA) is the Chief Executive Officer of BMT Tax Depreciation.

Please contact 1300 728 726 or visit www.bmtqs.com.au for an Australia-wide service.