New Effective Lives of Depreciable Assets

3 September, 2013 by Leave a Comment

TaxLives

THE AUSTRALIAN Taxation Office (ATO) has released a new tax ruling — effective from the 1st of July 2013.

Tax Ruling 2013/04

Replacing Tax Ruling 2012/2 , Tax Ruling 2013/4 explains the methods you should use when determining the effective lives of depreciating assets.

While Table B of Tax Ruling 2013/4 lists the effective lives of depreciable assets currently recognised by the ATO.

Roll Out of New Effective Lives

The tax ruling in effect at the time you acquired an asset determines the effective life of that asset. Therefore, any changes the ATO have made to the effective lives of assets in Tax Ruling 2013/4 — only affect assets purchased and installed for use after the 1st of July 2013. [Read more…]

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How to Use the Equity in Your Commercial Property

27 August, 2013 by 6 Comments

Equity-Release

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY INVESTORS commonly release equity in their homes in order to invest in other property. But can you do the same with your Commercial property?

Equity in Commercial Property

It is possible for you to utilise the equity in Commercial property … but it is a bit more difficult and complex than with residential property.

Banks are more risk-averse to Commercial property funding than they are to the residential market. And they will want to have some measure of control over the use of funds — before releasing cash to you. [Read more…]

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How to Find the Right Builder

20 August, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The-Correct-Builder

LIKE ALL THINGS, there is a “right” approach and there is a “wrong” approach to finding the perfect builder for your project.

Some developers, investors and building owners fall into the tempting trap of trying to cut costs — by bringing in builders who offer to work for much less, but who may not have the experience needed for that particular project.

These people hope that by reducing initial costs, they can boost their overall profits. Unfortunately this tends to backfire on them, more often than not. [Read more…]

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Claiming Depreciation Can Transform Your Bottom Line

30 July, 2013 by Leave a Comment

BMT-Tax

IN MANY CASES, commercial properties are positively geared. And that means their rental returns are often higher than loan repayments and outgoings for the property.

What what you may not realise is that the income received from a positively geared property can have avoidable tax implications.

Claiming depreciation on a positively geared commercial property can help you substantially reduce your overall taxable income, and further improve your after-tax cash position.

Perhaps a Case Study would help … [Read more…]

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Control The Loan Process

23 July, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Commercial-Loan-Application

THE OTHER DAY, I was doing some analysis on the loans lodged over the past year … looking at the time-frames, and where the delays have occurred.

And I was struck by the number of stages a loan application needs to go through, before settlement. Plus the number of people the file depends upon, to go smoothly.

The people involved in this process can include the broker, the bank officer, credit analyst, valuer, borrower’s solicitor, bank’s solicitor, vendor’s solicitor, accountant, financial adviser (if financial advice is required), real estate agent and, possibly, the tenant.

As you can appreciate, delays can occur at the hands of any of these stakeholders with dire consequences. That’s why it is advisable (as far as possible) for you to retain as much control over the process as you can … in order to avoid potential pitfalls. [Read more…]

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Detect Hazardous Materials BEFORE Demolishing Begins

18 July, 2013 by Leave a Comment

HazardousMaterial

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS are found in a range of locations, forms and types of building structures; plus they are not just limited to Commercial projects. Unfortunately, they are widely spread through residential and public properties as well.

The identification process is the first step for anyone wishing to undertake alterations, demolition or disturbance of materials — which could be potentially harmful to workers, or the general public. And then, you need to quantify the cost of rectification; and what effect that will have upon your intended project.

3 Key Questions to ask … [Read more…]

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With Commercial Property Managers … What Should You Expect?

17 July, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Commercial-Property-Management

OF COURSE, everyone’s expectations will differ as to how your property should be managed. But over the years, my clients have provided a few clues. And these have been rather helpful in creating a simple checklist.

Good Property Management is the Key to Your SuccessAnd so once you’ve finally acquired a suitable Commercial property, any ongoing Management will need to make sure that … [Read more…]

Filed Under: *Expert Panel, Industrial Sector, Market Sectors, Offices, Opportunities, Property Insights, Property Management, Retail Sector, X~Factors, Your Exposure Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Maximise Your Tax Benefits on Commercial Property

20 June, 2013 by Leave a Comment

WomanPainting
WHEN INVESTORS purchase a Commercial property, they will often consider renovating the property after settlement. Especially, if it is an older property in need of a face-lift before tenanting.

By renovating your Commercial property, you can create additional equity and generate extra rent in the process. But the real benefit is that you can also claim thousands of dollars in depreciation deductions — whenever renovations are done to your property. [Read more…]

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Due Diligence: 5 Key Issues to Verify + Questions to Ask!

19 June, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Due-Diligence
WHENEVER YOU embark upon a physical Due Diligence for any Commercial property, there are five key issues on which you should focus. And all of them need to be fully explored.

Depending on the size and type of the building, you may well require a more-detailed analysis. But for the time being, this will provide you with a basic checklist. [Read more…]

Filed Under: *Expert Panel, Due Diligence, Industrial Sector, Market Sectors, Offices, Retail Sector, Training Material, X~Factors Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Never Cross Collateralize Your Loan Arrangements

13 June, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Cross-Collateralizing
Part 1: Don’t be easily Swayed by your Bank.

A COMMON piece of advice given by mortgage brokers to Commercial property investors — at least, by astute brokers — is to keep securities for each loan separate. In other words, any form of Cross Collaterization (as it’s known) is to be avoided at all costs.

So, just what is Cross Collaterization; and why is it so bad?

Put simply, it is the combining of one mortgage registered against two or more properties (or sometimes even your business) as security. [Read more…]

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Commercial Property Owners Could Be Saving $’000s in Depreciation

5 June, 2013 by Leave a Comment

OfficeExterior1
COMMERCIAL building owners still remain unaware of the full taxation benefits their property could generate. One of the most worthwhile (yet often missed) deductions available is building depreciation.

As a building gets older and items within it age, they depreciate in value. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recognises this and allows property investors to claim deductions relating to the wear and tear on buildings and the fixtures and fittings within.

Claiming depreciation is the key to increasing the cash flow you generate from your Commercial properties. [Read more…]

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