ATO targeting property investors with “in-depth audits”

Attention property investors: your friends at the Australian Taxation Office might be taking an uncomfortably close look at your tax return later this year.

ATO assistant assistant commissioner Gavin Siebert said the tax office has made property rental deductions a top priority this tax time.

Why?

“A random sample of returns with rental deductions found that nine out of 10 contained an error,” he said.

“We are concerned about the extent of non-compliance in this area and will be looking very closely at claims this year.”

Don’t forget to declare your Airbnb income

The ATO will conduct 4,500 “in-depth audits” of property investors this year, a big increase on the year before, according to Mr Siebert.

The focus will be on investors who might be:

• Over-claiming mortgage interest payments
• Under-claiming income from Airbnb and other accommodation sharing platforms
• Incorrectly claiming capital works as repairs
• Incorrectly claiming expenses for holiday homes that double as investment properties

Once an audit begins, who knows where it will end?

Mr Siebert said the ATO’s data analysis capabilities are becoming more advanced, making it easier for the tax office to identify dodgy tax claims by property investors.

As part of its analysis, the ATO will source data from:

• Banks and other financial institutions
• Property transactions
• Rental bonds
• Airbnb and other online accommodation booking platforms

“Where we identify claims of concern, ATO staff will investigate and prompt taxpayers to amend unjustifiable claims. If necessary, we will commence audits,” he said.

“Once our auditors begin, they may search through even more data including utilities, tolls, social media and other online content to determine whether the taxpayer was entitled to claims they’ve made.”

The ATO is taking an interest in your interest

Did you take out a home loan to buy an investment property?

If so, you’re allowed to claim the mortgage interest as a deduction.

“However, if you use some of the loan money for personal use such as paying for living expenses, buying a boat or going on a holiday, you can’t claim the interest on that part of the loan,” according to the ATO.

“You can only claim the part of the interest that relates to the rental property.”

Renos and repairs have different tax implications

Do you know the difference between capital works and repairs?

Substantial improvements or renovations are regarded as capital works – these are deductible over a number of years.

Fixing something that’s broken, damaged or deteriorating is regarded as repairs – these are deductible immediately.

“Initial repairs for damage that existed when the property was purchased, such as replacing broken light fittings or repairing damaged floor boards, can’t be claimed as an immediate deduction but may be claimed over a number of years as a capital works deduction,” according to the ATO.

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