Once an investor starts claiming depreciation, they can expect an improvement in their cash flow.

This is because depreciation essentially lowers taxable income, meaning more money back in an investor’s pocket at tax time.

For most people, the extra cash from a tax return is put into savings, towards a holiday or a new car for example, or put towards everyday living expenses.

But as an investor, there are smarter ways to use the extra cash you will make from depreciation.

Here are just a few:

Pay off your debts

First things first, if you have any major outstanding debts, this may be a good chance to reduce or eliminate them.

While a financial advisor can advise which debts you should be paying off first according to your own financial institution, things like credit card debts (which often have very high levels of interest) or personal loans could be a good thing to pay off or reduce.

To learn more visit the BMT Tax Depreciation website.

Diversify your portfolio

Most financial advisors will tell you that diversifying is a great way to minimise risk and is important for long-term financial success.

When you have a diverse portfolio, these different investments are likely to react differently to the same event.

This means that if one area suffers, you still have a stake in another area that is growing.

Ideally, this will offset significant financial losses.

For example, a residential investor might look to invest in shares, bonds or even venture into the world of commercial property.

Learn more about commercial property depreciation on the BMT Tax Depreciation website.

Grow your portfolio

Most investors will stop at one property but if you have the means, you can experience greater returns by growing your property portfolio.

Carefully consider whether this works for your financial situation and fits in with your investment goals.

As always, do some proper research to ensure you’re investing in the right area and the right property to maximise capital growth and rental returns.

Related reading: Are you eligible for depreciation deductions?

Boost your super

It’s never too early to plan for your retirement.

If you’d like a similar standard of living once you retire, it’s likely you’re going to need to make some voluntary payments on top of what your employer pays.

This money is concessionally taxed, will generally be locked away until you retire and you’ll benefit from compounding returns over time.

Do some renovations on your investment properties

Is your investment property a bit run down, in need of some better appliances or just crying out for a fresh coat of paint?

Well this is your chance to change that.

Find out more about BMT Tax Depreciation by visiting their website.

Using the extra cash from depreciation to improve your current property is a great idea, provided you don’t overcapitalise.

This could potentially boost rental returns and increase the overall value of the property.

Related reading: Which depreciation method is best for you?

Expand your business

If you’re a commercial property investor or running a business as the tenant, extra cash never goes astray.

Depending on how the business is performing you could use this extra cash to expand or invest in other parts of your business.

For example, this may give you the funds to upgrade your business equipment or start expanding into a new area.

Consult with an advisor

Please note that these examples are general in nature and do not take into account your personal situation.

As always, you should consult with your financial advisor when making such financial decisions to determine the best course of action for your individual circumstances.

To learn more about depreciation, visit the tax depreciation overview page on the BMT Tax Depreciation website.

This is a sponsored article.

Read more from BMT Tax Depreciation in The Real Estate Conversation:

BMT's tax tips for the new financial year

Five questions you should ask your quantity surveyor: BMT Tax Depreciation

Residential versus commercial investing: how the depreciation rules change