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Depreciating assets

Last updated 9 September 2007

Special rules apply to depreciating assets. A depreciating asset is an asset that has a limited effective life and can reasonably be expected to decline in value over the time it is used. Plant and equipment used in your business are examples of depreciating assets.

Under the uniform capital allowances system that applies from 1 July 2001, any gain or loss from a depreciating asset is included in your assessable income, or deductible as a balancing adjustment, to the extent the asset was used for a taxable purpose (for example, to produce assessable income). The small business CGT concessions do not apply to gains you make on depreciating assets that are included in your income under the uniform capital allowances system.

You make a capital gain or capital loss from a depreciating asset to the extent you have used the depreciating asset for a non-taxable purpose (for example, for private purposes - CGT event K7). Any capital gain you make in this way does not qualify for the small business concessions because it reflects the non-business use of the asset.

However, as depreciating assets are still CGT assets, they must be included in the maximum net asset value test. A depreciating asset may also be an active asset and may be chosen as a replacement asset under the small business rollover.

More information:

QC27357