LODGEYGLOSSARY
DepreciationQS

Quantity Surveyor

The qualified professional who prepares your depreciation schedule.

Definition

A quantity surveyor (QS) is a construction-cost professional qualified to estimate the cost of building components and fixtures in a property. For tax purposes, only a quantity surveyor registered under the Tax Agent Services Act is qualified to prepare a depreciation schedule that the ATO will accept. The QS inspects the property (or reviews plans for newer builds) and produces a schedule listing Division 40 and Division 43 deductions for the remaining life of each item.

WHY IT MATTERS

You cannot self-assess depreciation on your property. The ATO requires a schedule from a qualified QS. The fee ($400–$800) is tax deductible and typically pays for itself many times over through the deductions identified. Many QS firms offer a 'no savings, no fee' guarantee.

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