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Request to extend time to make 2019–20 minimum yearly repayments for COVID-19 affected borrowers under section 109RD

Request to extend time to make 2019-20 minimum yearly repayments for COVID-19 affected borrowers under section 109RD if unable to pay owing to circumstances.

Last updated 6 July 2021

When there is a complying loan agreement between a private company (and certain interposed entities) and a borrower under section 109N, the borrower must make the minimum yearly repayment (MYR) by the end of the private company’s income year. This avoids the borrower being considered to have received an unfranked dividend, generally equal to the amount of any MYR shortfall (referred to as the shortfall).

As a result of the COVID-19 situation, we understand that some borrowers are facing circumstances beyond their control. To offer more support, we'll allow an extension of the repayment period for those borrowers who are unable to make their MYR by the end of the lender’s 2019–20 income year (generally 30 June) under section 109RD.

Requesting the extension

Borrowers can request the extension by completing a streamlined online application. We'll ask the borrower to confirm the shortfall, that the COVID-19 situation has affected them and that they are unable to pay the MYR as a result.

When we approve an application, we'll let the borrower know they will not be considered to have received an unfranked dividend. This is subject to the shortfall being paid by 30 June 2021. It won't be necessary to submit further evidence with the application.

If you have any general queries on the administrative relief for Division 7A, email PWDiv7Arelief@ato.gov.au

This streamlined process only applies to applications for an extension of up to twelve months under section 109RD for COVID-19 affected borrowers. It is still open to a borrower to apply to obtain a longer extension of time outside the streamlined process under section 109RD, or for relief on the grounds of undue hardship under section 109Q (which has further requirements).

See also  

When to use this form

If you have been affected by the COVID-19 situation, use this form to apply for more time to make your minimum yearly repayment (MYR) if you are unable to pay it in full by the end of the lender’s 2019–20 income year.

It requests the Commissioner to make a decision that the shortfall in your MYR will not be a deemed dividend at the end of the lender’s 2019–20 income year if you pay the shortfall within the extended time.

You can apply at any time and expect a response within five business days of lodging the application form. If you apply before the end of the lender's 2019–20 income year, you will need to wait until after that time for a decision. The Commissioner can only make a decision in writing after the end of the lender's 2019–20 income year.

If the Commissioner gives the extension, you must pay the shortfall by 30 June 2021.

About the form

This form has 3 sections:

  • Section A – your personal details
  • Section B – details about the entity that made the amalgamated loan, the terms of that loan and the MYR shortfall
  • Section C – details about how the COVID-19 situation has affected your personal circumstances.

You must complete ALL questions.

You'll need to lodge a separate form for each amalgamated loan.

To help you complete this form:

Significant penalties apply for making false or misleading statements.

How to lodge

Complete the form and send it as an attachment to us via a secure message.

Do not email your form to the Division 7A relief mailbox, as sending emails has the risk of potential compromise of personal information as transmission is on a public domain.

Next steps  

If you can't download the form, you can obtain a copy by phoning our publications ordering service on 1300 720 092.

Attach your completed form to a secure message in one of the following services:

Online services for agents:

  • at the Client summary select Profile
  • select New Message
  • select the topic Income Tax
  • select subject Div 7A relief
  • complete the message text and add the form
  • select the declaration and then select send
  • an ATO receipt number will be provided to confirm your message has been sent.

Online using: Online services for business

  • select Communication then Secure Mail
  • select New
  • select the topic - Income Tax
  • select subject Div 7A relief
  • if required, include a message then attach your saved form
  • complete the declaration before you send the form
  • an ATO receipt number will be provided to confirm your message has been received.

Things you should know

The Commissioner's decision to extend the time for you to pay the shortfall does not alter or amend the loan agreement that you have with the lender. This includes penalty interest remedies for default under the loan.

If you don't pay your MYR in full by the end of the lender's 2019–20 income year, you will need to make an increased MYR in the 2020–21 income year. Payment of as much as you can towards your 2019–20 MYR will minimise the amount of your 2019–20 MYR shortfall and the increased MYR in the 2020–21 income year.

Paying the amount of your 2019–20 MYR shortfall is in addition to meeting your increased MYR for the loan for the 2020–21 income year. A part of the increase in your MYR is counted towards the payment of the MYR shortfall. See below example Calculating MYRs where section 109RD applies.

If you don't repay the shortfall within the extended time

Once we approve your application, you must pay the MYR shortfall by 30 June 2021 to avoid Division 7A consequences. If you don't pay within this time, you'll need to seek an amendment of your assessment for the 2019–20 income year to include the amount of the dividend that had resulted from the shortfall. This applies unless you are able to obtain a further extension of time or other relief.

Other relief

You can apply outside the streamlined process if you are requesting:

  • an extension of time under section 109RD to pay the MYR shortfall after 30 June 2021
  • a change to a condition in a decision under section 109RB
  • the dividend the company would be taken to pay as a result of the MYR shortfall be disregarded where the dividend would cause you to suffer undue hardship.

Example: Calculating MYRs where section 109RD applies

Wonderland Pty Ltd lent its shareholder Alice $1,000 under a section 109N complying loan agreement during its income year that ended on 30 June 2018. The term of the loan is seven years and the loan agreement does not provide for the capitalisation of interest (at the benchmark interest rate) that is not paid by the due date.

Assuming:

  • the benchmark interest rate remains at 5.37% for the remaining term of the loan from the 2021 income year onwards
  • Alice pays her MYR on 30 June of each year and has paid her 2019 MYR of $174.

Alice would expect her 2020, 2021 and 2022 MYRs to be:

Table 1

Income year

Loan balance on previous 30 June
($)

MYR
($)

Principal component
($)

Interest component
($)

2020

878

175

128

($175 − $47)

47

($878 × 5.37%)

2021

750

($878 − $128)

175

135

($175 − $40)

40

($750 × 5.37%)

2022

615

($750 − $135)

175

142

($175 − $33)

33

($615 × 5.37%)

Alice is unable to pay any of the 2020 MYR due to the COVID-19 situation. The Commissioner makes a decision under section 109RD to disregard the dividend Wonderland Pty Ltd is taken to have paid Alice in the 2020 income year, provided Alice pays the amount of the shortfall ($175) to Wonderland Pty Ltd by 30 June 2021.

Payment obligations for Alice by 30 June 2021

To avoid Division 7A dividend consequences, Alice will need to pay by 30 June 2021:

  • the amount of the shortfall from the 2020 income year (section 109RD)
  • the 2021 MYR amount (section 109E).

Calculation of the 2021 MYR

The 2021 MYR that Alice will need to pay is calculated under the formula in subsection 109E(6).

Alice did not pay the 2020 MYR by 30 June 2020. The unpaid interest on the loan was not capitalised but Alice will still be required to pay that interest under the terms of the loan agreement.

As a result, Alice's 2021 MYR is calculated as:

Table 2

Income year

Loan balance on previous 30 June
($)

MYR
($)

Principal component
($)

Interest component
($)

2021

878

205

158

($205 − $47)

47

($878 × 5.37%)

On 30 June 2021, Alice will need to pay $357 to meet her obligations for the 2020 and 2021 income years.

The 2021 MYR of $205 to avoid a dividend being included in her assessable income for the 2021 income year

A further $152 to satisfy the shortfall from the 2020 income year. A payment for section 109RD is one that catches up on the shortfall. In addition to the $152, Alice can also count the increase in the principal component of the 2021 MYR (for example, the difference between the principal component in Table 1 and Table 2, $158 − $135 = $23) towards the payment of the shortfall amount of $175.

Calculation of the 2022 MYR

Alice has paid the shortfall. For calculating the 2022 MYR, the loan balance as at 30 June 2021 will be $615 [$878 less payments made on 30 June 2021 not attributed to interest ($357 − $94 = $263)].

The 2022 MYR will return to the normal schedule of payments. Alice will calculate her 2022 MYR as follows:

Table 3

Income year

Loan balance on previous 30 June
($)

MYR
($)

Principal component
($)

Interest component
($)

2022

615

($878 − $263)

175

142

($175 − $33)

33

($615 × 5.37%)

Failure to make the payments by 30 June 2021

If the shortfall amount is not paid by 30 June 2021, the Commissioner's decision will cease to apply and Alice will need to include a dividend in the 2020 income year. If Alice does not make at least the 2021 MYR of $205 there could be a dividend in that year.

Alice could at any time apply for a further extension of time under section 109RD to pay the 2020 and 2021 shortfall amounts to have the dividends disregarded. Alternatively, she could apply to have the dividends disregarded under section 109Q, the reason being that they would cause undue hardship.

End of example

See also  

Instructions

Section C – Circumstances in which the shortfall has arisen

Unable to pay

For the Commissioner to exercise the power, you'll need to confirm that you are unable to pay the MYR by the end of the private company’s 2019–20 income year.

‘Unable to pay’ is about cash-flow, not whether there is an excess of assets over liabilities. You'll need to consider:

  • your cash resources
  • money you can readily obtain by realising your assets or using those assets as security to obtain finance.

For a business, an important question to ask is whether you can pay your way in carrying on your business. For example, a business is unable to pay if it needs to sell its trading stock outside the course of its business to obtain the funds.

An individual is unable to pay where they need to use the assets necessary to maintain an adequate living standard for themselves and their family to make a payment.

A partnership is unable to pay if each of the partners are unable to pay.

A trust is unable to pay if the trustee is unable to pay. This includes by recourse to the trust assets under the right of indemnity.

Whether you are unable to pay is a question of fact you must determine in a practical business environment. It is a matter of commercial reality taking into account all of the circumstances.

When completing this form, the practical business environment includes the economic effects and degree of uncertainty that has resulted from the COVID-19 situation. Taking into account these effects, we accept that a borrower can make a practical commercial assessment of factors, including market conditions, relevant to their ability to pay an amount.

Realising your assets or using assets as security

You are able to pay an amount if you can readily sell your assets or use them as security to obtain finance. Whether you can readily realise assets within the time required to make a payment depends on factors including the:

  • availability of a market for sale
  • commercial costs of realisation in a short time
  • time required to sell the asset or use it as security
  • interest of joint owners.

For example, you are able to make your MYR of $30,000 by 30 June 2020 if you own ASX listed shares with a market value of $150,000 and can readily sell them, while having other means to maintain an adequate living standard. The position would be different if the asset was a commercial property. In this case it would be unlikely that you could complete a sale before that date.

Example 1: Recovering unpaid debts

Jacqui carries on an accounting business. Due to the COVID-19 situation on her clients, a significant proportion of her invoices for the June 2020 quarter remain unpaid. Jacqui has sent reminder notices but has not taken any further action as she knows these clients are in difficult circumstances. It is reasonable for Jacqui to conclude that the debts owing are not readily realisable assets. It is not necessary for her to take all legally available steps to recover the debts before 30 June 2020 to show this, or to have written the debt off as bad.

If there are no other resources available to her, Jacqui will be unable to pay her 2019–20 MYR.

End of example

 

Example 2: Accessible redraw facility

Edwin needs to make an MYR of $10,000 by 30 June 2020 and has a home with a market value of $2 million. The property is security for his home loan with an outstanding balance of $500,000 and an available redraw facility of $400,000. Edwin has adequate funds to meet his living expenses and the cost of using the redraw facility to meet his MYR will not affect this.

Edwin is able to pay his MYR.

End of example
Money for business or living expenses

You are unable to pay an amount if you have to use the money and assets you need to run your existing business or other regular activities. This extends to things which are reasonably necessary to maintain existing activities, including maintaining a portfolio of assets that will sustain your income both during and after the COVID-19 situation. However, it would not extend to other expenses, such as for the future expansion of those activities.

For an individual, it extends to the activities of others you are responsible for. For example, paying your children's school fees.

Example 1: Money for business continuity

The Ferrum Trust experienced a significant reduction in income during the COVID-19 period as the operations of its gym business have been suspended.

The Ferrum Trust’s practice has been able to maintain a cash balance of $60,000 so it can meet the costs associated with unexpected events encountered in its business. The trust has no other available funds and expects to use its cash balance to meet the temporary cash-flow deficiency of the business. It cannot obtain additional finance. The Ferrum Trust is unable to pay its $15,000 MYR due on 30 June 2020.

End of example

 

Example 2: Responsibility for family maintenance

Con is an employee and a shareholder of Daily Grind Pty Ltd and has a section 109N complying loan from Daily Grind Pty Ltd used to fund a home extension for his growing family.

While Con's salary from Daily Grind Pty Ltd is fully used to meet his family’s living expenses, he has previously relied on dividends from the company to make his MYR. Due to the COVID-19 situation, Daily Grind Pty Ltd cannot pay Con a dividend in the 2019–20 income year.

Con is not required to consider his salary which is necessary for the maintenance of his family to establish that he is unable to make his MYR.

End of example

 

Example 3: Funds for discretionary costs

Cath works as an anaesthetist. Due to the reduction in non-essential surgeries resulting from the COVID-19 restrictions, her income for the quarter ending 30 June 2020 has significantly reduced.

Prior to her unexpected income reduction, Cath budgeted so that she would have sufficient funds available to pay her MYR and also purchase a collection of expensive artefacts to display in her home. However, the reduction in her income means she can no longer make both payments.

Cath is able to use her funds to pay the MYR. Retaining funds to purchase the artefacts is not an expense necessary to maintain an adequate living standard.

End of example
Unable to pay due to COVID-19

You'll need to confirm that your inability to pay is a result of the COVID-19 situation. This could be because the COVID-19 situation has directly affected you, or because it has affected another person and there has been a flow-on effect for you. You'll also need to confirm that your inability to pay has not been caused by something else.

Example 1: Business affected by COVID-19

Barry provides a shuttle bus service from a regional airport to hotels and resorts. Due to the reduction of customers associated with international and domestic travel restrictions, Barry has temporarily closed his business. He has no other resources to meet his MYR due on 30 June 2020. Barry‘s inability to pay his MYR is a result of the COVID-19 situation.

End of example

 

Example 2: Sales affected by COVID-19

William is the sole shareholder of Lucky News Pty Ltd that operates a newsagency in the CBD. Due to COVID-19, many people who work in the CBD started working from home, and foot traffic in the CBD has reduced considerably. As a consequence, Lucky News Pty Ltd has experienced a significant reduction in sales. William's salary from Lucky News Pty Ltd is fully used to pay for his living expenses and he relies on dividends from Lucky News Pty Ltd to make his MYR. Due to the recent decline in sales, the dividend from Lucky News Pty Ltd can only be used to make part of his MYR resulting in a shortfall. William has no other resources to meet his MYR in full. His inability to pay his MYR in full is due to the COVID-19 situation.

End of example

 

Example 3: Guarantor affected by COVID-19

Fergus is a guarantor to a bank loan for his daughter, Gina, to start her wine bar business in 2019. Gina’s business had to close as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. However the loan did not qualify for payment deferrals offered by the banks for businesses affected by the COVID-19 situation.

The bank has since called on the guarantee provided by Fergus. Assuming there are no other resources available to Fergus, he does not have the funds to make his MYR due on 30 June 2020. Fergus is unable to pay his MYR due to the effect of the COVID-19 situation.

End of example

 

Example 4: Tests positive for COVID-19

Anne falls ill and tests positive for COVID-19. She is unable to return to her work as an independent labour hire contractor (i.e. not through a company or trust). As a consequence of her loss of income and with no other resources available to her, Anne is unable to pay her MYR due on 30 June 2020 as a direct effect of COVID-19.

End of example

 

Example 5: Inability to pay for reasons other than COVID-19

Justin started a business in 2018 where he renovated houses for resale at a profit. Despite favourable conditions in the property market during the 2019 calendar year, Justin had been very poor at attracting market interest in any of his renovations and made significant losses in that year. As a result of these losses, he is unable to pay his MYR expected to be due on 30 June 2020 relying only on the income stream from his part-time employment. Shortly afterwards he ceased the business. He later contracted COVID-19 and experienced a loss of income from his part-time employment as he was required to self-isolate.

Justin is not entitled to claim the extension of time under section 109RD using the streamlined approach.

End of example

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