Whether you own a home, rented an apartment or you are a property investor, your investment can offer you significant tax deductions. There are many ways through which property investors can save on property tax. Here are the five best tax tips that every property investor can follow to save at tax time.
1. Employ a great accountant
It is vital to take help from an experienced accountant to save on property tax. An accountant will guide you on which property purchases and any deductions you can claim in tax returns. However, not all accountants are familiar with property investing, so you should consider engaging a qualified and specialised tax accountant as they will know about the latest tax regulations in your state. Hiring the right accountant can help you save thousands of dollars on property tax.
2. Prepay rental expenses
If you own a rental property, you can pay your rental costs like insurance, maintenance and advertising fees in advance. Paying your rental expenditures in advance helps you to increase your income tax at the end of each financial year. Contact a tax accountant to know more about conditions and pay the expenses in advance to save on property tax.
3. Claim on holiday homes
A holiday rental property can be an attractive investment for many tax payers. Many investors are interested in holiday rental properties due to higher rental income, growth in the value of the property, and many other tax deductions. Tax deduction claims for a holiday rental property include maintenance costs, advertising cost, insurance and depreciating assets. However, you cannot claim the tax deductions if you are using the house for personal holidays or expenses.
4. Landlord maintenance deductions
It is the responsibility of the landlord or real estate agency to make sure that the property you rent is in a good condition, and suitable for living. You may need to fix items that need repair from time to time. This enables you to claim any repairs made on your rental property. However, if you replace an item, you can claim the tax only in case the item is not repairable, but it is essential for the property.
If you are thinking of selling your investment property, you must be aware of the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) implications. As an investor, you need to pay the capital gains tax on the profit you are making from your property. If you own a property for a year or more, you can immediately get a 50 percent reduction in its cost. You cannot claim tax back on it however, you can wait for a few months to take advantage of the expected price rise. Property investment information is vital for buying and selling of properties.
The points mentioned in this post are the top tax tips for property management and investment. There are many ways you can save money on your property. Focusing on the some of the ideas above and not all is the key to saving you money when it comes to property tax.
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