Wow – 2 trusts – now *that* is interesting.  Given as what I've already got is a discretionary trust  owning the land, it also sounds significantly less expensive to set this up than anything else as well.  Ignorring for a moment the capital gains and tax-on-resale issues: this kind of advice (if it works out!) stands to cut $1M off the price of…[Read more]

Constructing from abroad seemingly changes some rules – so for example – while Australians need to pay "commercially reasonable rent" to live in a company house – that may not be the case in the foreign countrys tax system.  Same goes for capital gains tax and company/income tax on proceeds of an eventual sale.  There are a stackload of d…[Read more]

"Capital Cost" – you're spot on once again – I had no idea about any of this, and the law makes it crystal clear that I can't get any useful deductions when constructing anything with my residence in it.  Actually – not really "crystal" at all – that's some of the worst gobbldegook legislation I've ever seen… but it's clear to me nonetheless.  < …[Read more]

Hi Terryw – WOW – thanks for such a detailed reply!!!Overseas tax: if I did this, I'd obtain a private ruling beforehand; I'm not interested in anything illegal!  My situation is extremely unique – my income is 96.5% untainted, and my business is a PE: 100% located in and automatically operated from overseas – qualifying me for the "Branch…[Read more]

Hi "quickchick",Yes – good thinking, that zoning issue.  The property is one acre zoned rural (top of a mountain).  There are council rules that I am able to abide by, so yes – all is fine on that front.  If I want to expand in future, I expect that's not impossible:  A nearby firm of architects have a similar setup to what I want – and the…[Read more]