ATO Targets Home Office Claims & Real Estate Deductions
ATO Targets Home Office Claims & Real Estate Deductions
1
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
Australian residents are being alerted to tighten up their tax return filing, particularly with the deductions claimed for home offices and rental property expenses, as the Australian Tax Office (ATO) sharpens its scrutiny on such declarations.
The ATO has flagged three areas of concern where errors frequently occur: erroneous work-related deductions, amplified claims on rental properties, and omissions in declared income. Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson emphasizes that even though some inaccuracies are not deliberate, taxpayers should be extra cautious to avoid penalties.
In the last tax season, above eight million Australians lodged work-related expenses, with a significant portion being for home office use. The ATO has revised the way it calculates home office expenses, introducing a new fixed rate and specifying what qualifies for deduction. Clear and detailed documentation to support claims is now mandatory, including records of hours worked from home and associated expenditures such as utility bills.
"If you plan to replicate last year’s home office deduction without the proper documentation, be prepared for a follow-up from us," warns Thomson. He insists that to prevent disqualification, taxpayers must ensure they follow three critical rules: personal expenses must be incurred without reimbursement, the expense should be tied to income generation, and tangible evidence like a receipt is necessary to validate the claim.
Concerning rental property owners, the ATO reports widespread discrepancies in tax returns, with many landlords wrongly logging their income tax. Maintenance and repair claims are a particular focus, with Thomson advising against exaggerating these to compensate for higher rental incomes. Legitimate immediate deductions include routine repairs; however, initial restorations or improvements like kitchen renovations fall under capital works and are deductible over time.
Thomson encourages property owners to thoroughly review their documentation before submitting their tax returns, and if needed, consult a registered tax agent for accurate deduction filings.
To ensure the accuracy of their tax filings, Thomson advocates Australians to avoid hurrying their tax return submissions at the beginning of July. He notes that errors often stem from rushing and neglecting to include all sources of income such as bank interest, dividends, and additional government payments. Taxpayers are advised to wait until pre-filled data is available, ensuring completeness and reducing the likelihood of amendments post-submission.
"While many are eager to check off their tax return early, exercising a bit of patience can be the key to getting your tax return right. Confirm that your employment income statement has been finalized and that your pre-filled information is comprehensive in myTax before lodging," Thomson concludes.
Published:Monday, 6th May 2024 Source: Paige Estritori
Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.
The Australian stock market witnessed a downturn on Tuesday as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) opted to leave interest rates unchanged, while cautioning about the potential for persistent inflation beyond the preferred range. The ASX 200 dropped by 81.1 points, or 0.91%, closing at 8813.7. Meanwhile, the All Ordinaries index similarly decreased by 84.3 points, or 0.92%, settling at 9098.2. - read more
The introduction of the Albanese government's 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers at the start of October has led to a noticeable uptick in housing prices. According to Cotality’s latest data, October saw the strongest rise in house prices since June 2023, with a 1.1% increase that equates to a 2.9% rise over the quarter in Australia's major cities. - read more
Austal Limited, a leading Australian shipbuilder, has secured a substantial $100 million loan from Export Finance Australia (EFA) to bolster its shipbuilding operations in Mobile, Alabama. This strategic funding is earmarked for the development of the Final Assembly 2 (FA2) project, a significant initiative aimed at enhancing Austal's capacity to construct vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. - read more
Debt consolidation is a strategy often utilized by individuals seeking to take control of their financial health. At its core, debt consolidation involves combining multiple debts into a single, more manageable loan, typically with more favorable terms such as a lower interest rate or a longer repayment period. - read more
In today’s economy, a good credit score is more than just a number—it's a pivotal element of financial health that can open doors to necessary funding when it's most needed. Whether it's for purchasing a new home, investing in a business, or obtaining personal loans, a robust credit score in Australia is your ticket to favorable interest rates and loan terms. - read more
A credit rating is essentially a numerical representation of your financial trustworthiness. It's like a report card for your creditworthiness, where higher scores indicate better financial habits. Lenders and financial institutions scrutinize this score when you apply for credit, serving as a primary factor in approving or denying loan applications. - read more
Knowledgebase
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The total value of all goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period.
