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Tax breaks are few and far between, and this one’s a ripper. See how you can invest in business equipment without affecting your cash flow.
The $30,000 Instant Asset Write-Off scheme as of 2 April 2019 could be a huge boost for your cash flow. By using this tax deduction, you can decrease your tax payable, which means you can spend up to $30,000 on as many assets as you’d like and reduce your taxable income by that same amount. You can claim this on tools, equipment, office furniture, air conditioners, work vehicles, IT hardware, signage, and more.
If that sounds too good to be true and you haven’t taken advantage yet, you’re not alone. Nearly two-thirds of Australian businesses are underutilizing the scheme, most likely because of a lack of capital and a lack of clarity around how it works. We’ll show you how to unlock the full potential of this opportunity as we demystify this great little tax break.
For any asset that decreases in value over time (vehicles, work
tools, or any office equipment), most people usually can claim some depreciation
on that asset each year. If that asset is expected to last for ten years, you
can claim depreciation for 10% of its cost each year. With the Instant Asset
Write-Off scheme, you claim depreciation as a one-off lump sum instead of
claiming smaller tax deductions each year.
According
to business.gov.au,
“it
means that you can reduce your taxable income, and your tax payable, in the
financial year that you bought and installed them”. Not only is it one less
thing you need to remember during tax season, it’s also a smarter way to invest
in tools or equipment for your business and decrease your taxable income.
When it was rolled out, the scheme was available to businesses with annual turnover up to $2 million. Recently, that was changed to be more inclusive so businesses with up to $10 million annual turnovers can now use it. That means if your business turns over less than $10 million a year, you can claim the instant write-off on any business asset whose total value is less than $30,000.
Assets you claim as part of the Instant Asset Write-Off can be second-hand or new. Before you embark on some retail therapy, it’s worth checking if the business assets you’re eyeing are eligible for the scheme. We recommend you speak to your tax accountant for a full list of eligible assets, or read the ATO’s general depreciation rules. Some of the assets eligible for the $20k Instant Asset Write-Off scheme include:
By writing off the assets in the same year they’re purchased, the money you’re investing in your business equipment comes directly off your taxable income, which decreases your tax payable. By purchasing business assets up to $30,000, you are decreasing your taxable income by that same amount.
The challenge for many businesses is the cash flow delay between purchasing the assets and receiving the benefit of a lower amount of tax payable. You’ll need to fork out for the initial expense, which will impact cash flow if you don’t have the extra $30,000 available. This is where a short-term business loan can help unlock this tax break’s full potential. A short-term business loan can help ensure you don’t miss out on this opportunity before the end of the financial year. And an unsecured loan is quick, easy and will leave you more time to purchase assets and claim them before the EOFY.
When thinking about whether you should make the most of this tax deduction, ask yourself this question: would you rather decrease your taxable income in a lump sum now, or draw it out over five to ten years? It certainly seems smarter to make the most of the Instant Asset Write-Off scheme now.
As with most tax incentives, there are many things to consider before moving ahead. We recommend you consult your tax accountant to confirm whether this is right for your business. Here are some of the finer details we’ve uncovered:
Here’s an easy example of how to utilise this deduction. If you purchase a second-hand car for $28,000 and you use it 50% of the time for business purposes, you can claim $14,000 off your taxable income. But if you purchase a truck for $31,000 you cannot claim it as part of this scheme, as the value is over $30,000. You could also claim on two (or more) eligible assets of $29,000 each.
We get it. Tax is about as exciting as peak hour traffic, but the Instant Asset Write-Off scheme can be great for businesses, especially SMEs. By purchasing business assets up to $30,000, you are decreasing your taxable income by that same amount. If you don’t have the cash immediately available to make the most of this tax break, a business loan can help bridge the cash flow gap in the short term.
It’s important to remember that the write-off isn’t as instant as advertised. The ‘instant’ in the scheme’s name relates to lumping the depreciation claims into one claim, but that doesn’t mean you’ll see the benefit of this tax deduction straight away. This could lead to a cash flow bottleneck, especially if the time between purchasing the asset and receiving the benefits of a lower tax payable extends into months or years. That’s where a business loan can help. By taking out a short-term business loan, you can bridge the cash flow gap between investment in your business assets and the benefits of your decreased taxable income.
Being fans of working smarter not harder, we suggest you speak to your tax accountant to check that the Instant Asset Write-Off scheme is right for your business. You can discuss with them whether they think a business loan is a viable option for your business.
Have questions? We have answers. Speak to us on 0478 885 400 or info@fundingzone.com.au
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