Negative vs Positive Gearing

Cash in Hand
Having a property fully covered by rental income means that you immediately begin generating positive cash flow.

Profit without relying on capital growth
Positive cash flow means immediate income from your investment, as opposed to relying on property prices to increase to make a profit.

Increased purchasing power
As a result of having a better cash flow, you can potentially use this to your advantage by investing in additional properties or paying down an existing mortgage on your principal place of residence.

Income generated from a positively geared investment is counted as extra income and therefore will be taxable.

The need for a unique approach

As per the ATO, only 40% of property investors in Australia have a neutral or positively geared investment property. Innovative strategies are occasionally necessary to enhance a positively geared property’s appeal in the market.

These strategies often involve actively renovating or adding value to existing properties. Alternatively, investing in properties with high rental yields (e.g., 5.5%) while interest rates are low is even better. Such positively geared properties with strong rental yields are commonly found in regional locations. However, it is important to note that these investments usually experience lower capital growth. In certain pockets of capital cities, there are strong opportunities for positively geared properties. It is just a matter of knowing where to look!

Positive Gearing over Time

Quality properties in prime locations can experience growth in rental rates over time. This means that what may have started as a neutral cash flow investment can quickly turn into a positively geared one, providing additional income and potential capital growth in the long term.

The conversation around gearing tends to go hand in hand with tax or tax benefits – as tax savings or tax increases can impact your cash flow over the year.

What are paper deductions?

Paper deductions refer to the amount of depreciation that an investor can claim on their investment property. This includes building depreciation, fixtures and fittings, and other assets within the property. These claims are calculated based on an estimate of the property’s decline in value over time.

What are out-of-pocket costs?

Out-of-pocket costs refer to the actual expenses incurred by an investor, such as mortgage payments, insurance, maintenance, and repairs. These expenses can be claimed as tax deductions against any income earned from the investment property.

Owners of investment properties are eligible to claim tax deductions for a number of expenses involved in holding a property. Most investors are aware of some of the deductions they are entitled to claim such as their property manager’s fees, council rates, and any repairs and maintenance costs. However, often investors are unaware of property depreciation, which for new properties in particular, can have a big impact on cash flow.

Understanding tax depreciation is vital because it can significantly affect your cash flow as an investor. By claiming the maximum amount of deductions, investors can reduce their taxable income and potentially increase their tax refund or decrease the amount of tax they owe.

Additionally, by accurately claiming tax depreciation, investors are able to better forecast their cash flow and make informed decisions about their investment strategies. This can also help investors maximize their return on investment and ultimately increase the overall profitability of their property portfolio.

A common misconception with many investors is the idea that a negatively geared investment property always means negative cash flow. However, the following simple example illustrates that this is not always the case.

Let’s say that last year John purchased an investment property – a new apartment – for $600,000, generating a rental income of $600 per week. He made a 20% down payment of $120,000 and obtained an interest-only loan at a rate of 5.5%.

At the same time, Anna acquired an investment property – a second-hand apartment – also priced at $600,000, with a rental income of $650 per week. She made a 20% down payment of $120,000 and secured a loan at the same 5.5% interest rate.

As shown in the example above, John’s investment property earning $600/week from rent is negatively geared, meaning his investment requires an additional $1,000 to hold each year. On the contrary, Anna’s property is positively geared with an increased rent of $650/week compared to John, providing her with a positive cash flow of $1,600.

If we add depreciation deductions into the mix, John’s situation changes. With John’s new $600,000 apartment, the property depreciation amount for the first year is $18,000. This “loss” from depreciation plus the $1,000 in negative cash flow equates to $19,000 that can be deducted from his taxable income.