PAYG Variations

Extra Money in Your Pocket Weekly!

An often overlooked way in which Investors can improve their weekly cash flow is through a pay as you go (PAYG) variation. The PAYG system is a method of tax collection that was introduced in July 2000 to replace previous versions of the same system, such as pay as you earn (PAYE).

PAYG instalments are a system for paying instalments towards your expected tax liability on your business and investment income for the current income year.

A PAYG variation is an application to the ATO requesting that your employer reduce your weekly/fortnightly tax payments to reflect set deductions like depreciation on a rental property. In essence it is a way of decreasing the amount of tax you pay each fortnight to help with your week to week cash flow. Rather than a tax return at the end of the financial year, it is equivalent to receiving small portions of your return each week.

The flexibility this gives the Investor, combined with depreciation deductions identified by your Quantity Surveyor, can be of great help in managing investments and mortgage repayments.

Let's consider a hypothetical situation:

You have just purchased an investment property. If you were to take your potential tax return, including the extra deductions gained from your investment property, and divide it by 52 weeks, this would give you the approximate amount your tax is reduced by per week - creating the extra cash flow.

A Quantity Surveyor makes it even easier for you when you consider the extra tax deductions they are able to identify for an investment property. Talk to your accountant about PAYG variations and increase your weekly cash flow!