You don’t get $20,000 back on tax as a refund

The instant asset write-off is a tax deduction that reduces the amount of tax your business has to pay.  It enables your business to claim a deduction for depreciating assets in the year the asset was purchased and used (or installed ready to use).  For example, if your business is in a company structure the most you will ‘get back’ is 27.5% (in 2016-17).  If your business is likely to make a tax loss for the year then the bigger deduction might not provide any short-term benefit to you.