You can only claim a tax deduction for a property seminar or webinar if the content directly relates to managing or increasing the income of an existing rental property. For example, if the seminar provides guidance on improving rental returns, managing tenants, or understanding rental property tax rules, then the cost may be deductible.
However, if the seminar or webinar is focused on finding or purchasing an investment property or discusses general strategies around wealth creation or optimising your financial position through property investment, the cost is generally not deductible. These types of seminars are considered to occur too early in the investment journey—before the property is acquired and starts generating rental income. As a result, they are treated as private or capital in nature and are not deductible against rental income.
Travel for attending a property seminar may also not be tax deductible, especially if the seminar relates to acquiring residential property. You cannot claim travel expenses for inspecting a property before you purchase it, or for attending seminars aimed at helping you find or secure a rental property to invest in. This applies to properties located both within Australia and overseas. The ATO considers these costs to be personal in nature, and they do not qualify as tax deductions.
Some promoters may incorrectly suggest that these types of expenses are claimable—but the ATO is clear: unless the expenses are directly tied to an existing rental property, you cannot claim them as deductions.
