Loading
StBenedict(Newbie)Newbie
22 Aug 2024

A number of years ago we purchased a second property, a small farm with about 60 acres of land. We do not live on the property and the purchase is funded via a mortgage. We purchased the property with the dual intention of using it recreationally on weekends and returning the run-down pastures and fencing to a functional state for income purposes, either from having our own livestock or from agisting other peoples’ stock. We have over time accrued substantial input costs such as fencing, weed management, heavy plant hire and other general recurring costs such as mortgage interest. We are not Primary Producers and haven’t claimed any deductions as we thought of the property more as a hobby farm / weekend arrangement even though it was and is our intention to gain income once the fencing is stock-proof and other rural infrastructure such as water troughs are in place.

My questions; 

  • Is the property classed as an investment property and if so, can we claim deductions for some of the expenses we have incurred, such as fencing, weed management and mortgage interest? 
  • If it is not a small farm investment property how is it classed?
  • If expenses are claimable, can we retrospectively claim deductions for previous financial years?
  • Agistment income will be declarable in my personal income via an employer?

 

2,909 views
3 replies
2,909 views
3 replies

Most helpful response

Most helpful reply

Taxduck(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
23 Aug 2024

Indeed. Repairs and maintenance. Capital expenses claimed as capital allowances. Ownership costs. All deductible off rental income.

Some expenses will need to be proportioned to the area of land available for agistment purposes.

All replies

Taxduck(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
22 Aug 2024

Deductions are expenses claimed off earned income. If the property is not income earning then ownership costs are capital in nature and retained for CGT purposes if and when the property is disposed of.

If the intention is to earn income through agistment then this is akin to earning rental income from the property. Rental income would be declared in your individual tax return.

The term "investment property" has no meaning for tax purposes. Any property can be an "investment property", even your main residence. It is a common term used for a rental property.

If your intention is to earn income from the property from farming activities then this would be a business venture, or it may be a hobby farm depending on the size and scale of the activity. Again, ownership costs would not be able to be claimed until a business started operating on the land.


StBenedict(Newbie)Newbie
23 Aug 2024

Thank you Taxicorn

If receiving income through agistment is akin to earning rental income, I therefore would be able to claim for the upkeep and in some cases the replacement of fences, water troughs etc as they are expenses resulting from the earnings of the agistment income? (No fences, no income)






Loading
Small Farm Investment Deductions | ATO Community