Rates payment in advance?

John asks:
(updated on Wednesday, June 19th 2013)

Does Determination E12 cover expenses paid for in advance by individuals as well as businesses? I want to reduce a high income this tax year by paying (rental property) rates in advance,  my income next tax year will be lower.

Our Experts Answer:

The prepayment of an expense is generally recorded as an asset in the balance sheet until such time as the expense is actually incurred. Much in the same way as income is not recognised until it has actually been earned. Until it is earned, the receipt of funds in advance is considered a liability. You can't arbitrarily alter the incidence of your taxable income by making prepayments. 

Most Read

AIA - Go Home Loans 4.00
Unity First Home Buyer special 4.15
SBS FirstHome Combo 4.29
ICBC 4.49
Kainga Ora 4.59
SBS Bank Special 4.69
Unity Special 4.80
China Construction Bank 4.85
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 4.89
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 4.99
ASB Bank 4.99
China Construction Bank 4.95
Kainga Ora 4.95
ICBC 4.99
SBS Bank Special 5.29
Unity Special 5.29
Westpac Special 5.29
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 5.29
ANZ Special 5.35
ASB Bank 5.35
BNZ - Std 5.35
AIA - Go Home Loans 5.35
SBS Bank Special 5.49
ICBC 5.65
Kainga Ora 5.69
ASB Bank 5.75
BNZ - Std 5.75
AIA - Go Home Loans 5.75
Westpac Special 5.75
Kiwibank Special 5.89
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 5.89
TSB Special 5.99
China Construction Bank 5.99
SBS FirstHome Combo 3.29
AIA - Back My Build 3.34
SBS Construction lending for FHB 3.79
CFML 321 Loans 4.20
ICBC 5.39
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 5.69
Co-operative Bank - Standard 5.69
Kainga Ora 5.79
Pepper Money Prime 5.99
Unity Standard 6.04
Unity Special 6.04