Tax Strategies Critical to Returns in Construction
Tax Strategies Critical to Returns in Construction
Today’s challenging market conditions have had a direct impact on the real estate and construction industry. Market trends are changing as baby boomers retire and millennials continue to rent for longer than previous generations. The cost of land has skyrocketed and the economic growth outlook has become uncertain.
Greater tax complexity has also become the new normal, shifting how we view investments in real estate and construction. Companies operating in this industry are faced with the challenge of having to adopt new approaches to generate the desired rate of return.
Making the most of your investment includes planning for tax at every stage. Tax has become a significant strategic component that can influence how you evaluate an opportunity and how you structure your evolving investment.
The Tax Maze
Whether you build, own or operate real estate, various taxes come into play and have an impact on each project. Although tax should not drive business decisions, its function has a significant role in determining your return on investment (ROI). These taxes include:
- New capital gains taxes
- Taxes on profits from sale of constructed properties
- Goods and Services Tax (GST)/Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and property taxes
- Additional taxes on foreign investments and vacant residential units
Specialized tax knowledge and experience can help you navigate the tax maze and improve your real estate and construction ROI.
Top 3 Tax Practices
To ensure your results are optimized, consider these three key steps to managing taxes:
Make Tax a Priority From the Start — Whether you have an in-house tax department, rely on external tax advisors, or employ a mix of both, include your tax advisors early on in your proc