SMSF Property Investment Calculator.
Calculate whether buying property through your self-managed super fund (SMSF) makes financial sense. Covers LRBA, contributions, and compliance costs.
Move the sliders or type in the form on the left — the math updates live as you go. Click Get AI verdict when you want a written analysis.
Buying property through an SMSF can be tax-effective — rental income is taxed at just 15% (0% in pension phase) and capital gains get a 33% discount. But it comes with complexity: LRBA loans charge 1-2% above standard rates, annual compliance costs are $3,000-$6,000, and there are strict rules about who can use the property. You need a minimum $200K in super (ideally $300K+) just to make SMSF property viable. This calculator helps you run the numbers to see if the tax benefits outweigh the extra costs and restrictions.
Real-world scenarios
Couple with $400K SMSF
2 members, $400K super balance, buying $500K property with LRBA, $50K/year contributions, 15 years to retirement.
LRBA loan: ~$375K at 8% (25% deposit + costs from the SMSF). Annual rent: $23,400. Interest ($30,000) plus compliance costs ($5,000) exceed rent, so cash flow is ~-$11,600/year — the $50K/year contributions absorb this shortfall (no tax is payable while cash flow is negative). At retirement in 15 years: property worth ~$900K (4% growth), but this SMSF-property path (~$2.08M total) narrowly trails staying fully diversified in super (~$2.12M) because the LRBA interest cost outweighs the rent at this deposit size — a bigger deposit or higher-yielding property would tip the comparison the other way.