Negative Gearing: A Simple Guide for Australian Property Investors

11 Dec

Negative gearing is a popular tax strategy among Australian property investors, yet misconceptions still abound around exactly how negative gearing works and when it is worthwhile. If you are a first time investor, read on to learn more.

How Does Negative Gearing Work?

Let's break it down. When you own an investment property, and the annual mortgage interest, property management fees, and maintenance costs surpass the rental income, it creates a negative cash flow. This loss can be used as deductibles from your taxable income, potentially resulting in a reduction of your annual tax bill.

Benefits of Negative Gearing:

• Tax Advantages: Negative gearing provides tax discounts that could eventually create future wealth through capital growth. But investors still must fund those ongoing losses from their pockets until rents rise or the property value increases. You save tax today while sacrificing cash flow to sustain holdings.

• Long-Term Investment: Negatively gearing property can make good sense depending on income levels, future earnings, investment timelines and risk appetites. While negative gearing might result in short-term losses, many investors view it as a strategy for long-term capital growth. As property values appreciate over time, the investment may become positively geared, generating more income than expenses.

Considerations for Home Buyers and Investors:

• Risks: Negative gearing is not without risks. Economic downturns or changes in the property market can impact the value of your investment, and relying solely on tax benefits may not be a foolproof strategy.

• Seek Professional Advice: Before diving into negative gearing, it's crucial to consult with financial advisors or mortgage experts, who can help you assess your financial situation, goals, and the potential risks and rewards of negative gearing. We also stress test negative gearing proposals against potential policy changes and interest rate risks that could alter entire feasibility.

Get Expert Lending Tailored to Your Investments

Negative gearing seems simple in concept but gets complicated quickly in practice. Our team of experts can match your investment aspirations with risk-calibrated mortgage products optimized for your specific objectives. If you have questions about negative gearing or are considering your financing options, contact us today.