The deduction of a portion of a property’s cost over its useful life, spread out over multiple tax years, is a common practice for overseas real estate investments. For example, a property purchased for investment in another country can have its cost systematically reduced over time for tax purposes, reflecting the asset’s wear and tear or obsolescence.
This systematic cost reduction offers significant tax advantages to property owners. It reduces taxable rental income, enhancing cash flow and potentially lowering overall tax liability. This has been a longstanding element of international tax law, providing an incentive for investment in foreign real estate markets and stimulating global economic activity.