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What is Rental Depreciation ? How can you take advantage in saving Taxes.

 

         Tax Planning

In Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) allows rental property owners to claim depreciation on their income tax returns through a process called Capital Cost Allowance (CCA). The CCA is a tax deduction that allows you to recover the cost of your rental property over time due to wear and tear or obsolescence. The CCA rate and rules for rental properties in Canada may vary depending on the type of property and its use. Here's how you can calculate depreciation (CCA) for a rental property worth $1 million in Canada: 

 

Determine the Class of Property: Rental properties in Canada are generally classified as Class 1 or Class 1A for tax purposes. Class 1 properties include buildings used for residential purposes, while Class 1A properties are used for commercial or industrial purposes. For this example, let's assume the rental property is a residential building and falls under Class 1. 

 

Check CCA Rate: For Class 1 properties, the CCA rate is 4% of the property's undepreciated capital cost (UCC) per year. 

 

Calculate the CCA for Year 1: To calculate the CCA for the first year, you need to determine the UCC of the property, which is the initial cost of the property minus any claimed CCA in previous years. Since this is Year 1, the UCC is equal to the initial cost of the property. 

 

CCA for Year 1 = Initial Cost of Property x CCA Rate CCA for Year 1 = $1,000,000 x 0.04 CCA for Year 1 = $40,000 

 

Report CCA on Tax Return: On your Canadian income tax return, you will report the CCA of $40,000 as a deduction against your rental income. This deduction will reduce your taxable rental income for the year, potentially lowering your overall tax liability. 

 

Continue Calculating CCA in Subsequent Years: In the following years, you will need to adjust the UCC to account for the CCA claimed in the previous years and then calculate the CCA for each year accordingly. 

It's important to note that CCA can create a tax deferral, as it reduces your taxable income now but increases the capital gain on the property when you sell it. It's essential to keep accurate records and consult with a tax professional to ensure compliance with CRA regulations and optimize your tax strategy for your rental property.  

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional tax advice.

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