Small Business Asset Write-Off

The small business $20,000 instant asset write-off is extended

Business Tax Update│February 2018

The small business asset write-off threshold of $20,000 has been extended to 30 June 2018 and is available to all small businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million. After 30 June this year, the threshold will reduce to $1,000.

If you have upcoming business expenses, now might be a good time to do some shopping so that you can claim the deduction in the current financial year!

The $20,000 instant asset write-off explained

If you buy an asset to use for business purposes and it costs less than $20,000, you can immediately deduct the business portion of the cost in your tax return. This deduction is used for each asset that costs less than $20,000. You would then claim the deduction through your tax return, in the year the asset was first used or installed ready for use.

It is important to note that the cost of an asset includes both the amount you paid for it and any additional amounts you spent on transporting and installing it.

Note!
  • There is no limit to how many assets you can claim the deduction for. However, each one must cost less than $20,000.
  • If you later sell the asset for which you claimed an instant asset write-off, you include the taxable purpose proportion of the amount you received for the asset in your assessable income.

What assets are included?

  • Assets that cost less than $20,000
  • Assets that are used for business purposes
  • ‘Physical’ assets – e.g. computers, phones, vehicles, tools etc
  • New or second-hand assets
Tip!

You may be able to claim a deduction for business website costs using the simplified depreciation rules. Speak to us to find out more.

What assets are excluded?

  • Assets that cost more than $20,000
  • Assets that are used for personal purposes
  • Assets that are leased out (or expected to be leased out) for more than 50% of the time on a depreciating asset lease
  • Assets you already allocated to a low-value pool
  • Horticultural plants – e.g. grapevines
  • Software allocated to a software development pool
  • Capital works
Tip!

Capital works used to produce income, including buildings and structural improvements, are written off over a longer period than other depreciating assets. Speak to us to find out more.

How this works

You buy a new computer for $6,800 that you use 80% of the time for business purposes and 20% of the time for personal purposes.

You also buy a second-hand printer for $700 which you use 100% of the time for business purposes.

For the computer, you would calculate your instant asset write-off as 80% (the business use proportion) of $6,800, so you would claim $5,440.

For the printer, you would claim the entire cost of $700.

Are you registered for GST?

The threshold amount of $20,000 assumes that you are not registered for GST.

If you are registered for GST, you exclude the GST amount you paid on the asset when you calculate your depreciation amounts (and your instant asset write-off threshold is $20,000 exclusive of any GST).

If you are not registered for GST, you include the GST amount you paid on the asset in your depreciation calculations (and your instant asset write-off threshold is $20,000 inclusive of any GST).

Tip!

For further information about GST impacts, speak to us. 

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact us below or call us on 1300 627 829

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Source: TaxWise 2018