Private ruling: Rental property expenses
Date of advice: 27 November 2024
Published: 13 January 2025
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 20XX
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 20XX

Ruling: Q1: Are you entitled to a deduction for your share of the cost of replacing structure on your co-owned rental property? | A1: Yes. The replacement of the structure of the rental property was required due to the extent of deterioration. It is not the replacement of an entirety as it is only a part of the building with the building being the entirety. Also, based on the facts of your case, the replacement is not considered an improvement or an initial repair. Therefore, it is a repair that is deductible under section 25-10 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 . For more information see Taxation Ruling TR 97/23 Income tax: deductions for repairs .

Relevant facts and circumstances: You and a co-owner own the property. You and the co-owner purchased the property as tenants in common in equal shares more than a decade ago. The property was originally your main residence. More than five years ago you moved and started renting the property out. It has been used to earn rental income since then. The structure of the property had deteriorated. This has caused damage due to water leaking to the inside of the property. The deterioration of the structure was such that a replacement structure was required. The structure was replaced with similar material. This was less expensive than replacement with the original materials. The work was completed by structural repairers. The cost of the replacement was $X, including GST. You paid by instalments between XX XXXX 20XX and the completion of the work on XX XXXX 20XX.

Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 25-10