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Debt and equity tests

Debt and equity rules help you to understand the difference between a debt interest and an equity interest.

Last updated 14 February 2016

The debt and equity tests help you work out the difference between a debt interest and an equity interest for tax purposes.

The debt and equity tests explain:

  • when a scheme gives rise to a debt interest or an equity interest
  • how to identify debt for
    • thin capitalisation purposes
    • the consolidation measure
     

The tests determine if a return on an interest in an entity is:

  • frankable and non-deductible (like a dividend)
  • deductible to the entity and not frankable (like interest payments).

Next steps:

Detailed information about debt and equity tests.

QC17055