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The 90% test

Last updated 29 March 2021

The 90% test only applies if there is an interposed entity between the CGT concession stakeholders and the company or trust in which the shares or interests are held.

The interposed entity satisfies the test if small business participation percentages in that entity totalling at least 90% are held by CGT concession stakeholders of the company or trust in which the shares or interests are held.

As with the significant individual test, the participation percentage can be held directly or indirectly through multiple interposed entities.

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Example

Diagram showing the 90% test

The discretionary trust sells the units in Unit Trust.

Catherine, a significant individual and a CGT concession stakeholder of Unit Trust, has a 72% participation percentage in Discretionary Trust.

80% x 90% = 72%

If the other interests in Discretionary Trust are held by people who are not CGT concession stakeholders, Discretionary Trust will not satisfy the ownership requirement and will not be able to access the concessions.

End of example

 

Start of example

Example

Based on the ABC Trust example:

  • Jennifer, a significant individual and CGT concession stakeholder of Operating Co, has an 80% small business participation percentage in ABC Trust
  • Bill, a CGT concession stakeholder of Operating Co, has a 15% small business participation percentage in ABC Trust
  • Nicky, who is not a CGT concession stakeholder of Operating Co, has a 5% small business participation percentage in ABC Trust.

At least 90% of the participation percentages in ABC Trust are held by CGT concession stakeholders of Operating Co. As a result, ABC Trust satisfies the ownership requirement if it sells its shares in Operating Co, and can access the concessions on those shares, provided the other conditions are met.

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Start of example

Example

A discretionary trust sells shares in an operating company. Anna receives 90% of the distributions from the trust, and the trust has a 50% interest in the company.

The trust cannot be a CGT concession stakeholder in the company because it is not an individual.

However, Anna will be a CGT concession stakeholder in the company if she (or her spouse) has a direct or indirect interest in the company of at least 20%. She, together with other CGT concession stakeholders, must also have a combined interest in the trust of at least 90%.

The 90% test is satisfied because Anna’s indirect interest in the company is 45% (50% of 90%). Therefore, she is a CGT concession stakeholder in the company and her interest in the trust is 90%.

End of example

QC84349