ATO releases toolkit for rental property owners

In a recent review of individual tax returns, the ATO found that nine out of 10 taxpayers with a rental property made mistakes in their tax return.

To help tax agents and their clients get the information they need to lodge correctly, the Tax Office has developed a new toolkit for rental property owners. 

The toolkit focuses on areas where mistakes are commonly made, including interest on a loan taken out to purchase a rental property; borrowing expenses incurred when taking out a rental property loan; repairs, maintenance and capital expenditure; and renting out a room, a unit or a whole house on an occasional basis through the sharing economy.

According to the ATO, keeping the right records over the period you own a property will help you claim all of the deductions you’re entitled to at tax time. Records include contract of purchase and sale; proof of all income and expenses; periods of private use by you, your family, or friends; loan and refinancing documents; and evidence of steps you took to rent out your property. 

You can download the rental property owners toolkit here.