Negative Gearing

With ongoing low interest rates it seems the hot property market won’t end any time soon. Hand in hand with that is also a boom in investment property ownership. The tax office has always shown a keen interest in investment properties but it has signalled it is specifically targeting this area in 2015 returns.

The emphasis is on making sure people aren’t over claiming deductions. In particular the ATO has said it is paying close attention to the following:

• Excessive deductions claimed for holiday homes
• Husbands and wives splitting rental income and deductions for jointly owned properties that is not supported
• Claims for repairs and maintenance shortly after the property was purchased
• Interest deductions claimed for the private proportion of loans

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