All Topics / General Property / Do I pay tax on boarders/lodgers rent?

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  • Profile photo of masters34masters34
    Member
    @masters34
    Join Date: 2009
    Post Count: 1

    Hi,
       If I take in a lodger/boarder for a short period of time, do I pay tax on the rent he pays?
    At the time I am not claiming any deductions for him/her being there, it is the family home and I am still living there also?

    Profile photo of Scott No MatesScott No Mates
    Participant
    @scott-no-mates
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 3,856

    If you declare the income, then you may be able to claim your expenses but you may also be open to cgt.

    Profile photo of BrisbaneAndyBrisbaneAndy
    Participant
    @brisbaneandy
    Join Date: 2009
    Post Count: 45

    Ditto what Scott said. 

    I have a boarder (own a 2brm unit) and so I declare his rent but I also claim half of all my property expenses.  Nice way to get some tax effectiveness from my PPR and legitimately reduced my tax.

    In your case, if it's for a short period only and you don't intend to repeat it in the future then the extra bookkeeping might not be worth it but put simply, I would always declare it.

    Hope that helps,
    Andy

    Profile photo of Richard TaylorRichard Taylor
    Participant
    @qlds007
    Join Date: 2003
    Post Count: 12,024

    Yes it will reduce your expenses on your ppor by offsetting some of the expenses but unfortunately will open up the PPOR to possible Capital Gains Tax issues.

    Richard Taylor | Australia's leading private lender

    Profile photo of TerrywTerryw
    Participant
    @terryw
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 16,213

    Whether the "rent" is income or not will depend on if the boarders are paying for rent of the room – or just contributing to household expenses. see para 17 of TR 2167.

    Terryw | Structuring Lawyers Pty Ltd / Loan Structuring Pty Ltd
    http://www.Structuring.com.au
    Email Me

    Lawyer, Mortgage Broker and Tax Advisor (Sydney based but advising Aust wide) http://www.Structuring.com.au

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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