Cut compliance - Borrowing Costs Threshold to be increased

Date
11/04/2019
Issue

Currently if your total borrowing expenses are more than $100, the deduction is spread over five years or the term of the loan, whichever is less. i.e. $20 per year - to me this is immaterial and a waste of time to require a whole process to keep track off/carry forward this information. It adds time/cost to the client to do it correctly. I think we should increase this to say $10,000. There is no loss to the revenue, only a small timing difference that will save significant compliance costs.

Board response

Hi Anita, thanks for the great idea.

The Board has undertaken some background research into this matter and found that the amount has not been amended since 1963.

The Board agrees the thresholds should be reviewed and updated to better reflect the times. Therefore, the Board has raised this matter with Treasury for their consideration.

Thanks again for contributing to Sounding Board.