The ATO estimates that incorrect reporting of rental property income and expenses is costing around $1 billion each year in forgone tax
revenue. A big part of the problem is how taxpayers are claiming interest on their investment property loans.
We’ve seen an uptick in ATO activity focussing on refinanced or redrawn loans. This activity is a result of a major
data matching program of residential property loan data from financial institutions from 2021-22 to 2025-26. This data is being matched
to what taxpayers have claimed on their tax returns. Those with anomalies can expect contact from the ATO to explain the discrepancy.
If you have an investment property loan and redraw on the loan for a different purpose to the original borrowing, the loan account becomes a
mixed purpose account. Interest accruing on mixed purpose accounts need to be apportioned between each of the different purposes the money
was used for.
On the other hand, if the redrawn funds are used to produce investment income, then the interest on this portion of the loan should be
deductible.
For example, if you have redrawn on the loan to pay for a private holiday, or pay down personal debt, then the interest relating to this
portion of the loan balance is not deductible. Not only will the interest expenses need to be apportioned into deductible and non-deductible
parts, but repayments will normally need to be apportioned too.
Withdrawals from an offset account are treated as savings rather than a new borrowing. If you have a loan account and an interest offset
account is attached to this account that reduces the interest payable on the loan, withdrawing funds from the offset account will typically
increase the amount of interest accruing on the loan, but won’t change the deductible percentage of the interest expenses.
That is, when you withdraw funds from the offset account this is really a withdrawal of savings and won’t impact on the extent to which
interest accruing on the loan account is deductible.
If you have a home loan that was used to acquire your private home and you have funds sitting in an offset account, withdrawing those funds
to pay the deposit on a rental property won’t enable you to claim any of the interest accruing on the home loan.
However, if you redraw funds from the home loan to acquire a rental property then interest accruing on this portion of the loan should
be deductible. The tax treatment always depends on how the arrangement is structured.
Think you might have a problem? Contact us and we can investigate the issue before the ATO contact you.
The record run of industrial rent growth is finally showing its first signs of easing after posting a 23 per cent rise in 2022.
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The downside of not taking time out for your strategy is that there is a tendency to keep a short-term. Sometimes in the process, this short-term focus undermines longer term value and returns.
SMSF loan is the possibility of getting a better interest rate to save more money. You could save thousands more if you refinance to a lower rate SMSF loan.
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Our Borrowers Guide to Construction Loan has been designed to assist you gain a better understanding of how the lending process works
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ONLINE Webinar
19 January 2023 @ 12:30 - 1:30pm
Phase 2 STP will be the compulsory way to process Xero payroll as of March 2023.
Increasing gross rental yields. Falling property prices combined with rent hikes means the average income earned from residential property, as a percentage of property values, has risen.
Smart Business Solutions chief executive Shannon Smit, winner of SMSF Adviser of the Year award, talks about the evolution of her business and shares her insights on complex SMSF planning issues.
This video offers a Xero how-to on the latest details of the compulsory STP (Single Touch Payroll) Phase 2 rollout including Pay Item Transition.
This video offers a Xero how-to on the latest details of the compulsory STP (Single Touch Payroll) Phase 2 rollout including Leave Transitions.
Changes are coming about how you manage Xero payroll with Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2. This video explains how to manage Employee Transition in STP Phase 2.
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A great way to deal with the post-Christmas financial hangover is to look at different ways to consolidate your debts.
Giving peace of mind and a sense of direction and calm is one of the greatest gifts that we feel privileged to offer our clients.
Getting a good grasp of your business’s cash flow situation will help put you in a strong financial position.
Commercial office assets represented 34.2 percent of all commercial property sales during 2022, up from 27.2 percent last year.
The commercial property sector continues to grow. 2023 is shaping up well with a range of opportunities for investors.
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You will be amazed in this race against time to reach the finish line. Welcome to The Amazing Race memoir - Smart Business Solutions 2022 End of Year Team Building and Christmas party.
The Government’s ‘Secure Jobs, Better Pay’ legislation passed Parliament on 2 December 2022.
If you are required to but have not yet applied for your ID, you should seek an extension immediately.
The most effective way of sharing Christmas joy with customers is not necessarily the most tax effective.
In many instances, businesses might need to wait 60 days or more to get paid, which can put a strain on the business's cashflows.
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While conditions for retail tenants have been tough during lockdowns, the luxury end of the market and certain sectors continue to perform strongly.
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Many lenders will offer competitive interest rates to new customers as well as other incentives that could save you money.
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Here are the 5 signs you personally should look out for when deciding whether or not you should hire a professional bookkeeper.
Demand for second-hand vehicles and equipment has reached record levels, as supply chain problems have made new products difficult to obtain.
Record low vacancy rates have seen industrial rents jump 30 percent across Sydney and more than 20 percent in Melbourne.
The surge in commercial lending is the largest annual growth since 2009.
Tax planning is more than just a financial necessity—it's a strategic advantage for businesses of all sizes. By proactively managing your tax strategy, you can significantly reduce your liabilities, enhance cash flow, and ensure full compliance with ever-evolving tax regulations.
