ATO is contacting Residential Investors – BEWARE!
The ATO has issued an early warning again this year. As tax time is nearing to an end for EFOY16 (yes that was quick), the ATO is reminding all residential property and holiday home investors to get in order your deductions as they intend to review this sector for discrepancies. Refer to the following link: : https://www.ato.gov.au/Tax-professionals/Newsroom/Your-practice/Deductions-for-rental-property-owners/?tpissue-10-2016
In particular, all your expenditure and capital allowances must be recorded, apportioned correctly and accurately in accordance with the current legislation. If you have made some profit in selling your investment property this financial year, the transaction may have resulted in a capital tax gains (CGT) event, and if not treated properly could result in a larger tax payment due than originally thought. You must also have sufficient evidence your property was income producing thus providing you a trigger to claim any deductions. Refer to the following link for a detailed explanation of what you may require for EOFYS 2016 on your residential property: https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Property/Residential-rental-properties/ Continue reading
Recent Trends in Technical Due Diligence
Is your ‘too good to be true’ deal really sustainable ?
Lack of Capital post GFC has lead to a significant neglect of R&M and Capex spend.
Having worked on property due diligence valued over $10B since the GFC, Napier & Blakeley have seen only nominal spend on upkeep compared with previous years.
Risk of Non-Compliance (i) 
During this period the increasing trend has been a notable reduction of Repair and Maintenance (R&M) and Capital Expenditure (Capex) budgets. Whilst this strategy may have been necessary in some circumstances e.g. postponement of non-essential Capex, we have found too commonly evidence of non-compliance regarding statutory maintenance such as testing, auditing and reporting of essential safety measures and fire safety systems.
Reduced Life Expectancy and Premature Capex
Recent technical due diligence and condition assessments have also found that the lack of R&M and Capex budgets for economic life driven plant and equipment overhauls and refurbishments has resulted in increased short and medium term Capex.
