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Episode 126 | Q & A-ccounting with Frank Azzopardi—Tax Deduction, Capital Gains Tax, Land Tax and Aussie Expats

Alright folks! It’s Q & “Accounting” time! Yep, on the couch today we’re talking all things tax! Here to help us wade through the grey area is Frank Azzopardi from our friends (and accountants) at YK Partners. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Frank joined us back at Episode 48!

So, we’ve received a couch-load of questions about tax lately, and quite the few of you have these questions because you’ve “temporarily departed” overseas—you’re Aussie Expats working in another country, but investing in properties back here. And as you know, this can be quite the pickle for tax purposes!

(The rest of you simply want to know what you can and can’t claim. Fair enough.)

Trying not to number-crunch the neurotransmitters in your brain, here are what B1 & B2 + Frank discuss:

  • Is there a tax-free threshold when you live overseas?
  • What is a Double Tax Agreement and what does it mean for you?
  • How does foreign tax credit work?
  • How do you offset tax loses?
  • Tax Talking, What’s the difference between a PPOR and an IP?
  • Can you claim tax on Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)?
  • What really constitutes “Repair” or “Capital Improvement”?
  • Can you negatively gear a property as an expat?
  • What is the “6 Year Rule” of Capital Gains Tax?
  • Can you avoid Capital Gains Tax?
  • What’s the risk of loan in two people’s names (joint ventures)?
  • What’s the tax cut for your kids when they inherit your property?

 

Some of the helpful resources mentioned today are:

 

And… The questions discussed are:

 

From Andrea

“First of all I am loving the podcasts. I listen to them over and over. Secondly, as an Australian expat, living overseas long term but preferring to invest my money back home in Australia, are you able to do a podcast directed at Aussie expats wanting to invest back home but are not sure how to go about it? If you could talk about it or bring someone in? If you could talk about things Aussie expats need to be aware of ie—the different rules that apply regarding capital gains; tax depreciation; tax credits; services expats can employ to assist with the fact we can’t make a trip every week to attend viewings and sign papers. Having bought 4 places in the last few years, I have not completed my PIPA education yet—I am nervous about giving too much advice. Thanks and keep up the good work. I’ll be ready to buy again soon so will likely be in touch for assistance in this.”

 

From Salim:

“Hi Guys. I listen your podcast regularly and leaning a lot!! I have a question and have been searching for the answer for a while; but no luck so far (asked same questions to few accountants but all of them have different opinions)! I bought an investment property last year in Melbourne in July 2016 (that time I was living and working in Sydney) but very soon, I am moving to Melbourne and am living in my investment property as principal residence.
1. I paid around $7500 as LMI. Can I claim this for tax deduction?
2. Can I offset the interest in my Tax?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Look forward for your resonance. Thanks.”

 

From Nick:

“Hi guys! Really enjoy the podcast—you have both helped reshape my approach to property investment and I’m currently in the process of developing an investment strategy that suits the specific circumstances of my partner and I, rather than rushing into the often-scary Sydney market.
We’re a couple currently renting in Sydney with a combined income of over $220,000/year, around $80,000 sitting in the bank, no kids at the moment (but probably will within the next 2 years); and we’d like to get our foot in the door of the property market. One challenge we face is a high likelihood of moving overseas for work within the next 5 years. If we buy as owner/occupiers we’ll be looking at 2 bedroom apartments in the medium-priced suburbs of Sydney – right at the limit of our purchasing means. Should we move overseas for work, my understanding is that we won’t be able to negatively gear the property (since our income tax will be overseas). It does appear that some other countries have negative-gearing policies, although it’s not clear whether losses incurred from overseas investments are eligible and the rules differ from country to country. My feeling is that stretching to buy an apartment in Sydney for ourselves now could force us to sell early if we move overseas and the repayments are strongly outweighing the rental income—not a situation we want to be in.
If we instead look at rent-vesting and aim for a cheaper investment property in a growth location somewhere outside of Sydney, with a path to getting it positively geared in the short-term, this seems like a lower risk strategy that still gets us a start on our journey to a property portfolio. I’m hoping the principles you talk about have sunk in a bit and I’d love to hear if you think I’m on the right track.
I think our situation is quite common for a lot of young professionals. What tips can you give from both a tax and property selection point of view to the many Australians working overseas or planning to work overseas, who still want to invest in the Australian property market and start building a passive income for their futures?

 

From James:

“Hi Ben & Bryce. With the strategy of accumulating 3–5 good capital growth properties and potentially selling 1–2 in the long term future upon retirement, would we not be best to (if possible) move into each property for minimum of 12 months to avoid capital gains tax when the properties are sold? Thanks for such a valuable podcast I always listen to each episode a couple of times a week. Regard, James

 

From Simon:

“Boys. Love the book and am now an avid listener to your podcast each week. I have a land tax question for your next Q&A session that no one can seem to give me a clear cut answer.
My wife and I have a PPOR (Newcastle), as well as one current investment property also in Newcastle. Recently we have just purchased an apartment off the plan which is not due to be completed until late 2018 at the earliest.
Currently all three properties are in both our names—50/50 share.
My question is regarding NSW land tax which the 2017 threshold is approximately $549k. (Lets just say $550k for ease of rounding off)
Does this mean that as a couple we have a combined threshold of $1.1 million or despite having two people owning these properties do we still have to come under the $550k to avoid land tax as a couple?
If the latter is the case, what is the best way to minimise our exposure to paying land tax if we wanted to continue to purchase investment properties in NSW? Should our next purchases be in separate names?
Thanks for your help. Simon.”

 

If you like this podcast: “Q & A-ccounting with Frank Azzopardi—Tax Deduction, Capital Gains Tax, Land Tax and Aussie Expats”, don’t forget to rate us on our iTunes channel (The Property Couch Podcast) and our Facebook page. If you have any questions or ideas, feel free to drop us your thoughts here: New Topics

123 | What is Owner-Occupier Appeal and How to Use It When Buying Your Next Investment?

Welcome to Episode 123! We’ve been looking forward to unpacking this one all week!

Guess what? The boys are going to walk you through THE perfect text-book investment property. As in: the very one that ticks ALL the owner-occupier appeal boxes. The one that’s going to land you the biggest capital growth payday!

So from the suburb right down to the shelves to store your stuff … B1 & B2 will explain to you what asset you should definitely be buying.

The golden tips discussed (in detail!) are:

  • What—specifically—is owner-occupier appeal?
  • What are the Three Pillars of Mastery that always create owner-occupier appeal?
  • What do you look for in a suburb?
  • What can a quick google search show you?
  • How do you see the invisible lines showing Buyers’ Agents the best part of a street?
  • Which way should your investment property face? (It matters!)
  • What should be in the garden?
  • What is the perfect textbook floorplan?
  • What do owner-occupiers buy with?
  • What’s the best orientation of the block?
  • How wide should the road in your investment grade suburb be?

This is a true ripper, even if we say so ourselves. You’ll get a lot out of this one!

And as usual, here are the Free Resources mentioned in today’s podcast!

  • Video on RealEstate.com.au |  Your money can make money with compound interest – Watch the video here
  • Knight Frank Research | Global House Price Index Q1 2017 – Read here

 

 

If you like this episode (What is Owner-Occupier Appeal and How to Use It When Buying Your Next Investment?), don’t forget to rate us on our iTunes channel (The Property Couch Podcast) and our Facebook page. Any questions or ideas? Feel free to drop us your thoughts here: http://tpcaustralia.wpengine.com/topics/

The Property Couch + RealEstate.com.au = Greater Education and Understanding!

We’ve teamed up with realestate.com.au for a video series!

We are thrilled to announce that we have partnered with realestate.com.au to provide more property and money management nuggets for our community.

Mark Roppolo, realestate.com.au executive manager, content and production, commented: “Making the decision to purchase property, either to live in or as an investment, is often the biggest financial decision Australians make in their lives. Together with The Property Couch, realestate.com.au is giving Australians simple and relevant information and advice to help make their property decisions easier.”

Check out the first video in the series as we ‘unpack’ saving money, grandma’s way!

  • Nugget 1 – Saving Money, Grandma’s Way | Watch here >>
  • Nugget 2 – Having trouble saving? Time to forecast your finances | Watch here >>
  • Nugget 3 – How debt helps you build a property portfolio | Watch here >>
  • Nugget 4 – What is your long term strategy? | Watch here >>
  • Nugget 5 – Why location is crucial when it comes to investing in property | Watch here >>
  • Nugget 6 – Your money can make money with compound interest | Watch here >>

 

We’d love any feedback or suggestions on which videos you’d love to see! So get in touch with us here: [email protected].

 

All the best,

Bryce, Ben and TPC’s Stig

 

ps: Here’s the trailer for the first and second video!

Should you buy a property with someone else?

 

The question we often get asked is, “Should I buy a property with someone else?” It sounds like a good idea isn’t it? It is a high-value transaction, and it can seem a little bit daunting to do it on your own. So we’ve got to have a look at our options. As Bryce and Ben mentioned on Episode 116, here’s the video on property ownership. Enjoy!

 

Bryce Holdaway - Quote of the Day - The Property CouchBryce Holdaway – Partner, Property Advisor & Buyers Agent

As co-host of The Property Couch, Bryce Holdaway is also a partner at Empower Wealth and Co-Host of Relocation Relocation Australia and Location Location Location Australia on Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel. A qualified Buyers Agent and Financial Planner, Bryce holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Real Estate Agent License and Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning).

 

Case Study for Single 30-something Investor (How to Build a Property Portfolio to Retire on $2,000 a week in Passive Income)

Hi Couchers! The Case Study for Single 30-something Investor demonstration is finally here! We know some of you have been waiting for this one since our second Facebook Live back in September. Thank you for your patience and let’s not wait any longer, just fill in the form below and we’ll send you the link to start watching the Case Study Demonstration on How to Build a Property Portfolio to Retire on $2,000 a week in Passive Income for a Single 30-something!

 

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