Tax depreciation for office fitout

Office fitout questions often appear after a new lease, purchase, refurbishment, tenant change or EOFY review of business premises.

The report may need to distinguish base building items from tenant or owner fitout, including partitions, flooring, lighting, joinery, services and equipment.

If the fitout is bundled into a single invoice or purchase figure, the accountant may not have enough detail to apply the right treatment.

The review should identify who paid for the fitout, when it was installed, whether it belongs to the owner or tenant, and whether it forms part of a broader commercial property purchase.

Office fitouts can include commercial carpet, partitions, blinds, air conditioning, lighting, data cabling, joinery, security, fire services and other items that need clearer classification.

A useful report separates fitout information from the base building so the accountant is not left with a single undifferentiated figure.

BWK Group commercial office and mixed-use case studies show why fitout detail can materially change the shape of a depreciation schedule.

Some commercial examples involve both Division 43 capital works and meaningful Division 40 components, so the report needs more detail than a standard residential schedule.

If the property includes a new or inherited office fitout, gather invoices, lease documents, photos and any handover schedules before requesting the review.

BWK Group can review the fitout scope, timing, invoices and available plans to help identify what should be included in the quantity surveyor report.

The report can give accountants a structured breakdown rather than a single undifferentiated fitout figure.

This is especially useful where the client owns commercial premises, has bought a fitted office, or has completed works before leasing the space.