Instant asset write-off for eligible businesses
Under the instant asset write-off, eligible businesses can claim an immediate deduction for the business portion of the cost of an asset in the year the asset is first used, or installed ready for use.
Instant asset write-off can be used for:
- multiple assets as long as the cost of each individual asset is less than the relevant threshold
- new and second-hand assets.
It cannot be used for assets that are excluded from the simplified depreciation rules.
The instant asset write-off eligibility criteria and threshold have changed over time. You need to check your business’s eligibility and apply the correct threshold amount. This depends on when the asset was purchased, first used or installed ready for use.
Recent changes
From 12 March 2020 until 31 December 2020 the instant asset write-off:
- threshold amount for each asset is $150,000 (up from $30,000)
- eligibility has been expanded to cover businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million).
Eligibility
Eligibility to use instant asset write-off on an asset depends on:
- your aggregated turnover (the total ordinary income of your business and that of any associated businesses)
- the date you purchased the asset
- when it was first used or installed ready for use
- the cost of the asset being less than the threshold.
If you run a small business and choose to use the simplified depreciation rules, you must use instant asset write-off on all eligible assets.
Businesses with an aggregated turnover of $500 million or more are not eligible to use instant asset write-off.
From 1 January 2021 the instant asset write-off will only be available for small businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million and the threshold will be $1,000.
Thresholds
The thresholds have changed over the last few years and are as follows:
| Eligible businesses | Date range for when asset first used or installed ready for use | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $500 million aggregated turnover | 12 March 2020 to 31 December 2020 (see note) |
$150,000 |
| Less than $50 million aggregated turnover | 7.30pm (AEDT) on 2 April 2019 to 11 March 2020 |
$30,000 |
| Less than $10 million aggregated turnover | 29 January 2019 to 7.30pm (AEDT) on 2 April 2019 |
$25,000 |
| Less than $10 million aggregated turnover | 1 July 2016 to 28 January 2019 |
$20,000 |
| Less than $2 million aggregated turnover | 7.30pm (AEST) on 12 May 2015 to 30 June 2016 |
$20,000 |
| Less than $2 million aggregated turnover | 1 January 2014 to prior to 7.30pm (AEST) 12 May 2015 |
$1,000 |
| Less than $2 million aggregated turnover | 1 July 2012 to 31 December 2013 |
$6,500 |
| Less than $2 million aggregated turnover | 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 |
$1,000 |
Make sure you have checked the eligibility criteria for your business.
Note: For eligible businesses with an aggregated turnover from $10 million to less than $500 million, the $150,000 threshold applies for assets purchased from 7.30pm (AEDT) on 2 April 2019 but not first used or installed ready for use until 12 March 2020 to 31 December 2020.
