On 9 May 2023, as part of the 2023–24 BudgetExternal Link, the Australian Government announced it will improve cash flow and reduce compliance costs for small businesses by temporarily increasing the instant asset write-off threshold to $20,000, from 1 July 2023 until 30 June 2024.
This measure has now passed Parliament.
Small businesses, with aggregated turnover of less than $10 million, can immediately deduct the full cost of eligible assets costing less than $20,000 that are first used or installed ready for use between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.
Small businesses that have claimed immediate deduction for an asset under the simplified depreciation rules in a prior income year can also immediately deduct an amount included in the second element (cost addition) of that asset's cost, where the amount is:
- the first amount of second element cost incurred after the end of the income year in which the asset was written off
- less than $20,000
- incurred between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024
The $20,000 threshold applies on a per asset basis, so small businesses can instantly write off multiple assets.
Assets valued at $20,000 or more can continue to be placed into the small business simplified depreciation pool and depreciated at 15% in the first income year and 30% each income year after that. In addition, pool balances under $20,000 at the end of 2023–24 income year can be written off.
For more information refer to The Treasury Laws Amendment (Support for Small Business and Charities and Other Measures) Bill 2023External Link which contains the Small Business Support – $20,000 instant asset write-off measure for the 2023–24 income year.
Small business instant asset write-off extension
On 14 May 2024, as part of the 2024–25 Budget, the government announced it will continue to improve cash flow and reduce compliance costs for small businesses by extending the $20,000 instant asset write-off by a further 12 months until 30 June 2025.
This measure is not yet law.
The Treasury Laws Amendment (Responsible Buy Now Pay Later and Other Measures) Bill 2024External Link containing the extension for the 2024–25 income year is currently before Parliament.