Inspection of investment properties has been a core part of the process of preparing depreciation schedules in the past. For some properties, an inspection is still the best way to ensure all capital works and assets are properly captured for the benefit of maximising the tax deductions available to the owner.
Whilst it is common practice to complete depreciation schedules for brand new properties without a site inspection (provided floor plans, asset specifications and construction cost is provided), second-hand properties have typically been inspected in person to take photos, measurements, and assess additional works. But is that always necessary?
Today, in this modern information era, we have discovered that for many properties a virtual inspection is perfectly adequate for capturing all the necessary data, and ensuring maximum tax deductions are still claimed. Capital Claims Tax Depreciation has been completing virtual property inspections for properties that qualify for over three years now. We have carefully tracked the results of properties inspected in person versus those inspected virtually, and our results show that for many properties there is no additional benefit to having an inspector personally attend your property. In fact, there are some added benefits to virtual inspections as outlined below.
Read further as we explain how our team can still achieve excellent results for investors, without having to personally inspect your property.
A typical property inspection for depreciation purposes includes:
Inspection of a residential property usually takes up to 30 minutes.
Inspections by most quantity surveying firms are not completed by a qualified quantity surveyor. Usually, an inspector is trained by a quantity surveyor to identify and photograph all of the important information in the property that will be used to complete the tax depreciation schedule.
The quantity surveyor uses the information that is captured at inspection, along with the relevant tax legislation, and their construction management qualifications to professionally estimate:
The quantity surveyor then forecasts the deductions available each year for the owner to claim as a tax deduction.
It is the age of technology. For many properties today there is comprehensive information available electronically to conduct an excellent virtual inspection of a property. There is commonly an extensive amount of online sales and rental information and photographs, along with information accessible via council databases, property manager inspections, and specific paid property information databases, combined with photos and detailed information from the owner. In our experience (over 20 years producing quality tax depreciation schedules), much of the information collected at a physical inspection by an inspector today is a duplicate of the information obtained via skilled online research combined with detailed client information.
As an investor, you should expect the same number of deductions for a property inspected virtually, as you would for a property inspected in person (provided your quantity surveyor has the systems, tools and a skilled and experienced team to conduct the appropriate research).
For over three years that we have been conducting virtual inspections for some properties, we have tested our processes by:
Our tests show that properties inspected virtually still achieve the maximum deductions available to investors.
The added benefits of a virtual inspection are many:
Not every business in our marketplace agrees that virtual inspections combined with comprehensive online research is adequate to replace an in-person inspection. As such, they may not have implemented the technical processes and team development to deliver an equally good result.
As a business we moved officially in the direction of conducting virtual inspections for some properties over three years ago. We did this for a number of reasons including:
Conducting quality virtual inspections requires:
To find out if your property qualifies for a virtual inspection, please contact our friendly team on 1300 922 220 or request a quote with an estimate of deductions here.
FAQ’s
A depreciation schedule will include all your available tax depreciation deductions – this includes your Division 40 – Plant and Equipment Asset deductions, your Division 43 – Structural depreciation deductions as well as the CGT offset amounts for assets for where. Learn more about tax depreciation schedules.
No, you do not need a depreciation schedule every year. Your report will project forward for 40 years! The only time you need to update your existing depreciation schedule is if you have completed any minor or major renovations.
Yes! It can help reduce your taxable income and put more cash back into your pocket. You will need to organise a depreciation report from a qualified quantity surveyor.
Mark is an expert quantity surveyor, business owner, public speaker and property developer. With 20+ years experience in the construction and quantity surveying industry Mark’s specialist expertise have been sought in consultant capacity by professional bodies such as the National Institute of Accountants and the National Tax and Accountants Association, and he has presented at various property and tax seminars and expos nationwide. Mark holds a Bachelor of Construction Management from the University of Newcastle, is an affiliate member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and a Registered Tax Agent.
View all posts by Mark Wilkins