An important reminder for property investors is that trips to visit residential rental properties are no longer tax deductible. There are some exceptions but individuals and SMSFs with one or more rental properties are not considered to be in the business of letting rental properties for related travel expenses incurred from 1 July 2017.
If you’re the owner of an income producing property, then you are eligible to claim tax deductions for a number of expenses involved in holding the property.
There are a number of changes to superannuation starting on 1 July 2017 that are summarised below however, the key question is to decide what has to be done before 1 July 2017.
There are no changes to personal income tax rates and thresholds in the 2017-2018 Budget, and there will be relief from the 2% Budget deficit levy, as anticipated, from 30 June 2017. On the other hand, the Medicare levy will be increased to 2.5% from 1 July 2019. There were changes for people repaying HELP debts for higher education, and the unexpected token of a small, one-off payment to pensioners.
Perhaps the most significant initiatives contained in the Budget are the housing affordability measures, a comprehensive approach which includes assisting first home buyers to build a deposit inside superannuation and allowing older Australians to contribute downsizing proceeds into superannuation.
Here is an outline of changes in the 2017-2018 as relevant to individuals:
There were no major superannuation measures in the May 2017 Budget, with slated super reforms commencing 1 July 2017. However, there are now changes to depreciation and deductibility which many residential property investors, including SMSFs with residential property investment portfolios, will need to take into account. There is also encouragement for people over 65 to downsize their own homes to make a non-concessional super contribution from proceeds, the general idea being to help free up the stock of larger homes held by empty-nesters for more effective usage.
If you’re involved in property investment and superannuation decision-making and administration, here are the key points to consider:
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