Quantity Surveyors are recognised by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as the most suitably qualified professional to estimate the depreciable expenditure spent on the property prior to its purchase, as well as the value of the fittings and equipment within the property. In accordance with ATO Tax Ruling 97/25, if a residential investment property, for example, was constructed after September 1987 and/or construction costs are unknown, a registered and qualified Quantity Surveyor must be engaged to produce a commercial or residential tax depreciation schedule. Unfortunately, an Accountant cannot do this for investors.