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Gross turnover

Last updated 4 December 2006

Broadly, the gross turnover of a CFC is the sum of the company's net gains and gross revenue. Work out the gross turnover using the following five steps:

  • identify the total gross revenue derived by the CFC
  • exclude certain comparably taxed amounts
  • exclude the proceeds of certain asset disposals
  • add back net gains arising from certain asset disposals
  • add the CFC's share of the gross turnover of each partnership in which it was a partner.

The figures used are mainly drawn from the accounts of the CFC. If the accounts are prepared in a foreign currency, there is no need to convert the amounts to Australian dollars.

Step 1 - Identify total gross revenue

The total gross revenue is the sum of amounts shown in the accounts of a CFC as gross revenue - that is, deductions are not taken into account. Do not include amounts that have not been brought to account in the period. For example, an amount may not be recognised in the accounts because its receipt is extremely doubtful. This amount would not be included in gross revenue. The exclusion of the amount must, however, be in accordance with commercially accepted accounting principles and give a true and fair view of the CFC's financial position.

Step 2 - Exclusion of comparably taxed amounts

Certain comparably taxed amounts are excluded from the active income test. They are:

  • a franked dividend
  • an amount included in the CFC's assessable income in any year of income, unless the amount is only subject to dividend or interest withholding tax or is not fully taxed - for example, certain shipping or insurance premiums
  • an amount arising from the disposal of an asset with the necessary connection with Australia
  • an amount that is an attribution account payment to the extent the profits from which the payment was made have been previously been attributed to you
  • an amount derived through a branch in a listed country if the amount is taxed in that country, and
  • a non-portfolio dividend

Because trust amounts arising to a CFC are attributed regardless of whether the CFC passes the active income test, they are also excluded from the tainted income ratio calculation.

Step 3 - Exclusion of proceeds from certain asset disposals

Amounts that arise from asset disposals are excluded from the gross revenue. However, this exclusion does not extend to disposals of trading stock. Amounts included in gross revenue from currency exchange rate fluctuations and commodity investments are also excluded.

Step 4 - Add back net gains

The amounts that were excluded under step 3 are brought back into gross turnover as net amounts. There are three separate net amounts:

  • the net gain from the disposal of commodity investments
  • the net gain from currency exchange rate fluctuations
  • the net gain from the disposal of other assets that are not trading stock or commodity investments.

In each case, to determine the net gain, the sum of the individual gains is reduced by the sum of the losses. If there is a net loss, the amount is ignored - it does not reduce the gross turnover. It is important to note that there is a separate calculation of net gain for each of the categories. Do not take comparably taxed amounts into account.

Consideration paid or received for asset disposals must be included at market value. Where an amount has been written down in the accounts, the write-down is to be ignored.

Step 5 - Inclusion of partnership turnover

A CFC's share of the gross turnover of a partnership must be added to the CFC's gross turnover. This is done for each partnership in which the CFC is a partner. This means that you must go through the same process - steps 1 to 4 - for each partnership.

In working out the total, treat the partnership as if it were a CFC. The partnership is assumed to be a resident of the same country as the CFC.

Result of steps 1 to 5

Add the amounts at steps 2 and 3. Take this total away from the total revenue at step 1. The balance is the gross revenue after exclusions.

Add the totals of steps 4 and 5. This is the CFC's gross turnover.

QC18000