LAQCs are no longer the right fit for property investors. Have you made the switch?

LAQC / LTC TAX CHANGES

 As you will now be well aware the LAQC / LTC tax changes are fast approaching.  They take effect 1 April 2011.  If you have an LAQC and you have not yet discussed with us what course of action to take you need to contact us urgently and book an LAQC/LTC review meeting.  As a recap some of the key points to note in respect of the rule changes are as follows: 

• If you do nothing your LAQC will remain an LAQC, but a rule change from 1 April 2011 means shareholders of LAQCs can no longer claim tax losses.  In other words the LAQC loses the ability to attribute its losses to shareholders.  In most cases doing nothing is not an option. 

• In conjunction with the LAQC/LTC changes, depreciation can no longer be claimed on buildings.  In many cases this means that tax losses that are currently being experienced will turn to tax profits.  This means you need to ask the question as to whether your current structure is appropriate given this change in tax result?
• Broadly speaking if you have an LAQC at present you have a number of options available to you including the following: 

• Do nothing and remain in the LAQC regime - although as noted you will not be able to attribute losses to shareholders.

Convert the LAQC to an LTC, but leave everything else the same.

Convert the LAQC to an LTC, but at the same time examine whether the shareholding structure in relation to the company is appropriate.

Convert the LAQC into an ordinary company and potentially restructure the shares as well. 

In summary, the changes to the LAQC rules and the implementation of the LTC regime means that all existing LAQC clients need to have their affairs reviewed to determine what the best structure is for them from 1 April 2011 onwards.  We are offering LAQC/LTC review meetings at a discounted cost of $150 plus GST.  Do not delay in setting this meeting up as you need to have the advice in advance of 31 March 2011.