myTax 2024 Low-value pool deduction

Things to know

Complete this section to claim a deduction for the decline in value of low-cost and low-value assets that you:

• used in the course of producing assessable income, and
• allocated to what is called a low-value pool.

Low-cost assets are depreciating assets that cost less than $1,000.

Low-value assets are depreciating assets that:

• are not low-cost assets
• on 1 July 2023, had an opening adjustable value of less than $1,000 under the diminishing value method.

You can have only one low-value pool.

Once you choose to allocate a low-cost asset to the low-value pool, you must allocate to the pool all other low-cost assets you start to hold in that year and in future years. Once allocated, those assets must remain in the pool.

However, you can decide whether to allocate low-value assets to the low-value pool on an asset-by-asset basis.

Assets you can allocate to a low-value pool include assets you use:

• in your work as an employee
• to gain rental income.

If you claim the deduction at this section, don't claim it as a work-related expense or rental expense.

The following can't be included in a low-value pool:

• assets you have previously claimed deductions for using the prime cost method
• assets that cost $300 or less for which you can claim an immediate deduction
• assets for which you deduct amounts under the simplified depreciation rules for small business entities
• horticultural plants
• an asset that is primarily for use in your employment, if your employer provided it, paid for it or reimbursed you for any of its cost, and the benefit was exempt from fringe benefits tax. Assets excluded in these circumstances could include:
  • a portable electronic device (a laptop, portable printer, personal digital assistant, calculator, mobile phones or a portable GPS navigation receiver)
  • computer software
  • protective clothing
  • a briefcase
  • a tool of trade.

When you allocate an asset to a low-value pool, you must make a reasonable estimate of the percentage you will use the asset to produce your assessable income over its effective life (for a low-cost asset) or remaining effective life (for a low-value asset). This estimate is your taxable use percentage for the asset.

You work out your low-value pool deduction using a diminishing value rate. A rate of 37.5% is generally applied to the pool balance. However, a rate of 18.75% (that is, half the normal pool rate) is applied to the taxable use percentage of:

• the cost of each low-cost asset you allocated to the pool in 2023–24
• any additional capital costs (such as improvements) you incurred in 2023–24 for assets you allocated to the pool in an earlier income year and for low-value assets you allocated to the pool in 2023–24.

For more information, see Guide to depreciating assets.

Don’t show at this section

Don’t show the following at this section:

• assets for which you deduct amounts under the simplified depreciation rules for small business entities, go to Business income or losses
• your low-value pool if it contains assets only used in business and not for any other income producing purpose, go to Business income or losses.

Completing this section

To personalise your return to show your low-value pool deduction, at Personalise return select:

• You had deductions you want to claim
• Other deductions

To show your low-value pool deduction, at Prepare return select 'Add/Edit' at the Deduction banner.

Within the Low-value pool deduction banner:

1. Work out your total low-value pool deduction using the Depreciation and capital allowances tool or Worksheet 1.
   
   The Depreciation and capital allowances tool can help you to work out any low-value pool deduction. Access this tool when you add your low-value pool deduction.
   Fields from this tool can't be adjusted in myTax. To make any adjustments or to add new assets to the tool, select the 'Use the depreciation and capital allowances tool' link.
   
   If you used the Depreciation and capital allowances tool and saved to myTax, go to step 4.
2. If you used Worksheet 1:
   • enter the amount at row i from Worksheet 1 into the Total decline in value deduction field
   • use Worksheet 2 to work out the closing balance.
3. Select Save.
4. Select Save and continue when you have completed the Deductions section.

Keep a record of your 2023–24 closing pool balance for your 2024–25 tax return.

Working out your deduction and the pool closing balance

The amount at row i is the total low-value pool deduction.

Note:

Some common events, such as the sale or disposal of an asset in the low-value pool, or the asset's loss or destruction, result in a 'balancing adjustment event'.

If there has been a balancing adjustment event for an asset in the pool, you must reduce the closing pool balance. To do this, you multiply the asset's termination value (generally any proceeds, including any insurance payout, from the event) by your taxable use percentage for the asset. Your closing pool balance is reduced by the amount that results from this calculation. There is space for you to include this amount in Worksheet 2. If this amount is more than the closing pool balance, you reduce the closing pool balance to nil and include the excess amount at Any other income.