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Are you considering renting out a room or part of your home in Australia? Whether you're participating in the sharing economy, renting out a spare room on Airbnb, or leasing part of your property, it's essential to understand the tax implications and how to calculate the expenses you can claim. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the process of working out the expenses you can deduct, ensuring you maximize your tax benefits while complying with Australian tax regulations.
What You Need to Do
If you're renting out all or part of your home, there are three crucial steps you must take for tax purposes:
Keep Records of Rental Income: It's crucial to maintain detailed records of all rental income you earn. This includes not only the rental fees but also other sources of income related to your property, such as insurance payouts, bonds or security deposits you retain, and any letting and booking fees, including cancellation fees.
Keep Records of Deductible Expenses: Equally important is keeping records of expenses you can claim as deductions. These expenses can significantly reduce your taxable income, so it's vital to maintain thorough documentation.
Calculate Capital Gain or Loss: When you eventually sell the property, you'll need to calculate your capital gain or loss. This involves determining the difference between the sale price and the property's original purchase price, adjusted for any improvements or deductions claimed.
Income You Need to Declare
The income you need to declare for tax purposes includes:
All income before fees and commissions.
Insurance payouts, such as compensation for damage caused by renting.
Bonds or security deposits that you become entitled to retain.
Letting and booking fees you charge, including cancellation fees.
Expenses You Can Claim
The expenses you may be able to claim as deductions when renting out a room or part of your home include:
Council rates: The property taxes you pay to your local council.
Interest on a loan for the property: Deduct the interest portion of your mortgage or home loan.
Electricity and gas: The cost of utilities related to the rented space.
Property insurance: Premiums for insuring your property.
Cleaning and maintenance costs: Expenses for upkeep and repairs.
Fees or commission charged by the platform: Deduct the fees charged by sharing economy platforms like Airbnb.
Other expenses directly related to rental income: Any additional costs directly linked to your property rental.
How Much of the Expense You Can Claim
The percentage of expenses you can claim depends on two factors:
The number of days the room or whole property is rented during the year.
The portion of the property you have rented out (e.g., a room or the entire property).
Working Out the Deductions You Can Claim
To calculate the deductions you can claim, follow these steps:
Rented Room (Claim 100% for Days Rented):
Formula: (Rented room's size ÷ Total size of house or unit) × (Number of days rented ÷ Total days in the year) × 100 = Percent of expenses claimable
Common Areas (Claim 50% for Days Rented):
Formula: (Total common areas ÷ Total size of house or unit) × (Number of days rented ÷ Total days in the year) × 50% × 100 = Percent of expenses claimable
Example: How to Work Out Deductions You Can Claim
Let's take an example to illustrate how this works:
You have an 80m² unit.
You rent out a 10m² room for 150 days in the year.
The shared common areas, including a second bathroom, balcony, kitchen, and lounge, total 50m².
Rented Room: (10 ÷ 80) × (150 ÷ 365) × 100 = 5.13%
Common Areas: (10 ÷ 80) × (150 ÷ 365) × 50% × 100 = 12.84%
Total Percentage of Expenses You Can Claim: 17.97%
By following these calculations, you can determine the percentage of expenses you're eligible to claim as deductions on your tax return.
Remember, it's essential to maintain accurate records and consult with a tax professional or accountant who specializes in Australian tax laws to ensure you're fully compliant and making the most of your tax deductions when renting out a room or part of your home. Maximizing your deductions can help you save money and improve your overall financial situation.
Have any questions about claiming tax deductions for your rented out room? Get in touch with our team of accountants today!