Business loans play an instrumental role in navigating business
expenses and investments for the future. If you are a small business owner,
chances are you have borrowed funds or considered taking a loan. However, many
business owners do not know they can claim tax deductions on expenses
associated with their business loans. Credit options like Business loans, Assets
& equipment finance can help you fund legitimate business activities. When
you incur costs on such a source of finance, you can claim deductions on the
same. Let's break down what the tax rules say about expense claims for business
loans and what you should do!
Tax
Governance For Your Business: Guidelines From The Australian Taxation Office
(ATO)
The ATO has laid down essential guidelines for small businesses and
how they manage their debts. The following points highlight some of the key
things to keep in mind:
●
Loan Contract: You should have a legally-binding contract with specific loan terms.
It requires appropriate execution, including all variations.
●
Record-Keeping: Every business should follow sound accounting practices to record
transactions related to their loan account. Moreover, you should also record
details of gifting in your financial records.
●
Compliance: Businesses must comply with their constitutions or trust deeds when
they borrow from related parties or trust funds. They need to follow taxation
requirements while finalising the loan terms.
What Do The
Tax Rules Say About Deductions On Business Expenses?
Australia's tax rules state that firms can claim tax deductions on any
expense undertaken for business activities. Hence, the amount spent on
servicing a business loan is eligible for deductions. The principal amount
repaid with every instalment cannot be included in the deductions. The eligible
components for tax deductions include the following:
●
The interest
amount.
●
The
additional fees and costs incurred for a loan account.
Claiming
Deduction On Your Loan Expenses: What You Should Keep In Mind
Business owners must be careful while filing their claims. Here are
the tips that can help you navigate this process:
●
Maintain Regular Records:
Regular record-keeping will help you keep track of all loan-related business
expenses. Tax officials may demand an explanation or seek proof if they flag
certain claims as suspicious. In such scenarios, having detailed and consistent
records can help you submit evidence and show a paper trail.
●
Claim Legitimate Expenses: You
can claim only business-related expenses for tax deductions. For example, in Assets and equipment
finance, the entire amount goes towards buying an asset for business
use. In this case, you can charge all the interests and costs for tax
deductions. However, if you use a part of your loan amount for personal
purposes, you cannot claim any deductions for the interest chargeable on that
amount. You must calculate your legitimate claims accordingly to stay on the
right side of the law.
●
Consult An Expert: A loan
expert can help you understand the taxation rules applicable to your business
structure. Analyse your loan terms and take the advice of a professional before
claiming your deductions.
If you want to know more about business loans and what you can do with
them, speak to the Broc Finance
team today!
Source:
https://www.brocfinance.com.au/blog/how-to-claim-tax-deductions-on-your-business-loan-expenses/
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