Rentvesting offers first-home buyers a unique way to get on the property ladder, but what about the tax implications? In this episode, we sit down with Catherine Simons, a seasoned tax accountant, to explore the nitty-gritty of how rentvesting can work in your favour financially. If you’re wondering about deductions, depreciation, and capital gains tax, you’re in the right place. We unpack the key differences between owning a home to live in and purchasing an investment property. We also explain concepts like negative gearing and how depreciation can be a cash-flow booster—even if the property is positively geared. We cover why planning is everything, from resetting valuations to understanding which expenses you can claim now versus those that get capitalised over time. For first-home buyers, we discuss common scenarios, like living in a property before renting it out versus renting first and moving in later. These situations come with vastly different tax rules, and Catherine shares practical tips to avoid costly mistakes. Her advice? Always keep detailed records and have the right experts guiding you. Sure, rentvesting can be a smart strategy for entering the property market, but it’s crucial to approach it with careful planning and the right advice. And this episode highlights the importance of understanding tax rules, making informed decisions, and working with professionals to maximise benefits while avoiding costly mistakes. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction 02:44 - Who is Catherine Simons? 03:21 - Key tax considerations for buying a home vs. an investment property 05:51 - Tax benefits and drawbacks: Owning a home vs. An investment property 10:21 - What property-related expenses can and cannot be claimed as tax deductions? 15:03 - Tax implications for first home buyers: Renting vs. Living in the property first 24:42 - Catherine’s advice for first home buyers 27:21 - Should you invest in property to lower your tax liability? 30:19 - What are the penalties for small claims on property expenses or deductions?? 33:09 - Misconceptions about restructuring debt for tax-deductibility in property investment 34:59 - What to know before transitioning from rentvesting to homeownership 37:40 - How hard is it for everyday investors to find a suitable accountant? 41:43 - What Catherine wishes she knew as a first home buyer Resources mentioned in this episode: WSC Group https://wscgroup.com.au/ Your First Home Buyer Guide Episode #205: Rentvesting: What You Need to Know Before Taking the Leap https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/podcasts/205 Your First Home Buyer Guide Episode #207: How Rentvesting Can Secure—or Sabotage—Your Financial Future https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/podcasts/207 Resources: FREE MINI COURSE: How to price property like a professional https://www.homebuyeracademy.com.au/freecourse Meet our recommended mortgage brokers at Home Buyer Academy https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/brokers Visit our website https://www.homebuyeracademy.com.au/ Join our Facebook Group to get access to free monthly live Q&A sessions https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourfirsthomebuyerguideaustralia Learn how to buy property without making a mistake with our ultimate 10-step online course for first time home buyers https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/YFHBG If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at: Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast support@homebuyeracademy.com.au Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au Looking for a Brisbane Buyers Agent? https://www.propertypursuit.com.au/ Work with Meighan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meighanwells/ If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey! Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
