Property Manager

Tax tips for independent property managers in Australia.

Allowable Expenses

• Travel — Mileage for property inspections.
• Software — Property management and trust accounting tools.
• Licensing — Real estate registration and license fees.
• Home Office — Administrative work done from home.

Tax Tips

• Track all travel between properties carefully.
• Professional indemnity insurance is a must and deductible.
• Claim for your mobile phone used for tenant and owner contact.
• Rental levies collected on behalf of landlord clients are not your income — only your management fee and any disbursements recovered at a margin are assessable. Maintain a separate trust account at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim for travel to inspections?

Yes, this is a core business expense.

Is my property software deductible?

Yes, subscriptions for business software are deductible.

Is professional indemnity insurance mandatory for property managers?

Yes. Most states and territories require real estate licence holders — including property managers — to maintain professional indemnity insurance as a condition of their registration. The premium is fully deductible.

How do I treat management fees I charge landlords — are they GST-inclusive?

Yes, if you are registered for GST. Your management fees, letting fees, and inspection fees charged to landlords are taxable supplies. Issue GST-inclusive invoices and report the GST on your BAS. If your annual turnover from property management exceeds $75,000, registration is mandatory.