$20k instant asset write-off for 2024 passes Parliament: Now what?

The increase to the instant asset write-off threshold from $1,000 to $20,000 for 2023-24 has passed Parliament just days before the end of the financial year.

The increase to the instant asset write-off threshold provides a major cashflow advantage by enabling small businesses to claim an immediate tax deduction for certain assets in the year of purchase, instead of spreading the deduction over a number of years.

Remember that the deduction is not a refund, it will only reduce the taxable income of the business entity, or in some cases, it will create or increase a tax loss that needs to be carried forward to future years. For example, if the business operates through a company structure, the economic benefit of the write-off is limited to the relevant company tax rate (25% for base rate entities, 30% for other companies). If the business is likely to make a tax loss for the year, then a larger deduction might not provide any short-term benefit.

Eligibility

Eligibility to access the instant asset write-off looks at both the business entity and the asset.

To utilise the instant asset write-off, the business entity must:

• Be carrying on a business under general principles in the 2024 income year;
• Have an aggregated annual turnover of less than $10m (the businesses annual turnover, plus the annual turnover of any connected business entities or affiliates) in the 2024 income year or 2023 income year;
• Choose to apply the simplified depreciation rules for the 2024 income year. If the business entity does not choose to apply the simplified depreciation rules for the 2024 income year, then it won’t have access to the instant asset write-off rules, regardless of whether the other basic conditions can be met.

And, for an asset to be eligible, it must:

• Fall within the scope of the depreciation provisions. There are some assets, like horticultural plants, capital works (building construction costs etc.), assets leased to another party on a depreciating asset lease, etc., that don’t qualify.
• Cost less than $20,000. If the business is registered for GST, the cost of the asset needs to be less than $20,000 after GST credits have been subtracted. If the business is not registered for GST, it is $20,000 including GST; and
• Be first used, or installed ready for use, for a taxable purpose between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. This prevents business operators from stockpiling purchases and claiming tax deductions for goods they have no intention of using in the short- term. So, if the business purchases an asset on 20 May 2024, it needs to be used or installed and ready to use by 30 June 2024 to qualify for the immediate deduction in 2023-24.
• Be for a business use. Ensure that there is a relationship between the asset purchased by the business and how the business generates income. A business can’t, for example, claim deductions for multiple television sets if the sets have no relevance to the business.

The provisions that prevent small business entities from re-entering the simplified depreciation regime for five years if they opt-out will continue to be suspended until 30 June 2024 (the lock-out rules).

What happens when assets cost more than $20,000

If the taxpayer is a small business entity and chooses to apply the simplified depreciation rules then assets costing $20,000 or more (that cannot be immediately deducted) can continue to be placed into the small business general pool and depreciated at 15% in the first income year and 30% each income year thereafter.

The increased instant asset write-off threshold also means that a $20,000 threshold applies for the purpose of determining whether the full pool balance is written off in the 2024 income year. Just remember that when you are applying these rules, you don’t look at the closing pool balance, you are looking at what the pool balance would have been if you ignored the current year depreciation deductions for the pool for the 2024 year.

How many assets can be purchased?

The write-off threshold applies per asset, so a small business entity can potentially deduct the full cost of multiple assets. Assuming all the other conditions are met, an immediate deduction should be available for each individual item costing less than $20,000 - just be careful of cashflow.

What about second hand goods?

The instant asset write-off does not distinguish between new or second-hand goods. For example, second hand machinery may qualify if it meets the other requirements.

Extension until 30 June 2025

In the 2024-25 Federal Budget, the Government announced an extension of the increased instant asset write-off threshold to 30 June 2025. A Bill is currently before Parliament to enact this change.

The confusing history of deductions

Special provisions for the tax treatment of deductions for depreciating assets are generally enacted to encourage business investment, particularly to give small businesses the confidence to invest in the assets they need to grow.

This aim is often at odds with the implementation of the provisions with unusual timings, stark changes, and most recently, no certainty that the benefit offered was going to come to fruition.

*Subject to the passage of the enabling legislation through Parliament

Reference

• ATO Small Business Support – $20,000 instant asset write-off
• 2023-24 instant asset write-off threshold increase - Treasury Laws Amendment (Support for Small Business and Charities and Other Measures) Bill 2023
• Extension of instant asset write-off to 30 June 2025 - Treasury Laws Amendment (Responsible Buy Now Pay Later and Other Measures) Bill 2024