Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum & Correction to Explanatory Memorandum
(Circulated by authority of the Treasurer, the Hon Peter Costello, MP)Chapter 2 - Life insurance companies
Outline of Chapter
2.1 Schedule 2 to the New Business Tax System (Miscellaneous) Bill (No. 2) 2000 (the Bill) amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936) and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) to ensure that life insurance companies are taxed on all the profit made from their different activities in broadly the same way as activities in other entities that are similar in economic substance. The amendments also ensure that the current pension business of complying superannuation funds and exempt units of pooled superannuation trusts (PST) is taxed consistently with the immediate annuity and other exempt superannuation business of life insurance companies.
2.2 Schedule 3 to the Bill amends the dividend imputation provisions in the ITAA 1936 that affect life insurance companies.
2.3 The amendments:
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- clarify the provisions relating to the transfer of assets to the exempt assets of complying superannuation funds or PSTs when a member commences a pension or a unit becomes an exempt unit;
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- allow the Commissioner of Taxation (Commissioner) a discretion to extend the period of time for complying superannuation funds to segregate current pension assets and to annually reconcile current pension assets and current pension liabilities;
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- provide transitional relief for self-managed superannuation funds and small Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) funds to reduce the capital gains tax (CGT) impact arising on the commencement of a pension where a member of the fund commences a pension between 1 July 2000 and 30 June 2005;
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- as a transitional measure, exclude defined benefit superannuation schemes that are closed before 1 July 2000 to new members whose current pension liabilities are less than 1% of the scheme's total liabilities from the requirement to segregate current pension assets. These funds will be able to use the segregated assets approach or a formula approach to determine their exempt current pension income;
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- ensure that specified management fees that are exempt from tax under the transitional arrangements are treated as assessable income for the purpose of claiming deductions under the general deduction provision of the taxation law;
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- ensure that, unless the transitional arrangements apply, part of an asset cannot be a segregated asset of a virtual PST or of an exempt pool of assets;
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- ensure that the segregated assets relating to exempt life insurance policy liabilities of a life insurance company and the current pension liabilities of a complying superannuation fund can include a reasonable provision for tax on unrealised gains in respect of those segregated assets;
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- change the definition of a 'continuous disability policy' so that it is consistent with the definition in the Life Insurance Act 1995 ;
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- ensure that if an asset (other than money) is transferred from a virtual PST that results in the company being able to claim a deduction as a consequence of the deemed disposal of the asset at the time the asset is actually disposed of by the company, the deduction is allocated to the virtual PST component of taxable income;
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- as a transitional measure, extend the period of time for friendly societies to reconcile segregated exempt assets and exempt life insurance policy liabilities for the 2000-2001 income year; and
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- make some technical drafting amendments and remove some unintended consequential impacts.
Context of reform
2.4 The amendments in Schedule 2 to the Bill ensure that life insurance companies are taxed on all the profit made from their different activities in broadly the same way as activities in other entities that are similar in economic substance. That is:
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- risk business will be taxed on broadly the same basis as for general insurers;
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- investment business will be taxed on broadly the same basis as for other investment entities (other than collective investment vehicles); and
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- complying superannuation business held in a virtual PST will be taxed on broadly the same basis as for PSTs.
2.5 The assets relating to the complying superannuation business will be segregated and held in a virtual PST. Ordinary income and statutory income generated on those assets will be taxed at a rate of 15%.
2.6 Income derived from immediate annuity and other exempt superannuation business will be exempt from tax if the assets relating to that business are segregated. This will apply only for assets necessary to fund that business.
2.7 The remaining business of life companies will be taxed at the company tax rate.
2.8 Schedule 2 to the Bill also amends the ITAA 1936 to tax the current pension business of complying superannuation funds and exempt units of PSTs consistently with the immediate annuity and other exempt superannuation business of life insurance companies.
2.9 Schedule 3 to the Bill contains amendments to the dividend imputation provisions in the ITAA 1936 that affect life insurance companies.
Summary of new law
2.10 The purpose of the amendments is to:
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- provide transitional arrangements for superannuation funds;
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- clarify some aspects of the Bill to overcome concerns raised by industry and reduce compliance costs; and
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- make some technical drafting corrections and remove some unintended consequential impacts.
2.11 The measures contained in Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 to the Bill generally apply from 1 July 2000.
Detailed explanation of new law
2.12 Section 121 of the ITAA 1936 applies to determine the taxable income of mutual insurance associations that are not life insurance companies. Amendment 18 ensures that premiums received by these mutual insurance associations are included in assessable income. [Amendment 18, subsection 121(2) of the ITAA 1936]
2.13 Section 273A of the ITAA 1936 allows the trustee of a complying superannuation fund or PST to segregate assets relating to its current pension business or exempt superannuation business. Income derived on those segregated assets is exempt from tax.
2.14 Amendment 19 ensures that, except as provided for under the transitional arrangements in new section 273J, an asset can be included in the segregated assets only if the whole of the asset is segregated. [Amendment 19, subsection 273A(1A) of the ITAA 1936]
2.15 Similarly, new sections 320-170 and 320-225 of the ITAA 1997 allow a life insurance company to:
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- segregate assets relating to a complying superannuation business into a virtual PST - income derived on those segregated assets is taxed at a rate of 15%; and
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- segregate assets relating to immediate annuity, current pension business and other exempt business into segregated exempt assets - income derived on those segregated assets is exempt from tax.
2.16 Amendments 53 and 60 ensure that, except as provided for under the transitional arrangements in new sections 320-170 and 320-225 of the Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 (ITTP 1997) respectively, an asset can be included in the segregated assets only if the whole of the asset is segregated. [Amendments 53 and 60, subsections 320-170(1A) and 320-225(1A) of the ITAA 1997]
2.17 The purpose of the amendments is to remove any doubt that, subject to transitional arrangements, a segregated asset does not include part of an asset.
Amendments 20, 23, 24, 28, 29, 54 and 61 to 65
2.18 The segregated current pension assets of a complying superannuation fund cannot exceed the current pension liabilities of the fund. Similarly, the segregated exempt superannuation assets of a PST cannot exceed the exempt superannuation liabilities of the PST.
2.19 In response to concerns raised by industry, amendments 20, 23, 24 and 28 ensure that the value of assets segregated can include any reasonable provision for liability for tax on unrealised gains that relates to those segregated assets. Amendment 29 ensures that the subsequent tax liability can be paid out of those segregated assets. [Amendments 20, 23, 24, 28 and 29, subsections 273A(3), 273C(1), 273C(2), 273D(1), paragraph 273G(2)(c) and subsection 273G(4) of the ITAA 1936]
2.20 Similarly, the segregated exempt assets of a life insurance company cannot exceed the exempt life insurance policy liabilities of the company. Amendments 54 and 61 to 64 ensure that the value of assets segregated can include any reasonable provision for liability for tax on unrealised gains on assets transferred from the company's virtual PST to its segregated exempt assets under subsection 320-195(1). Amendment 65 ensures that the subsequent tax liability can be paid out of those segregated assets. [Amendments 54 and 61 to 65, subsections 320-195(1), 320-225(3), 320-235(1), 320-235(2), 320-240(1), paragraph 320-250(2)(c) and subsection 320-250(4) of the ITAA 1997]
2.21 If the trustee of a complying superannuation fund or of a PST segregates assets relating to current pension liabilities or exempt superannuation liabilities, subsection 273A(4) allows the trustee until 1 October 2000 to segregate assets with effect from 1 July 2000.
2.22 Amendment 21 gives the Commissioner a discretion to extend the period of time allowed for complying superannuation funds and PSTs to segregate assets. The purpose of the discretion is to permit the Commissioner to allow additional time for funds (particularly self-managed funds) to segregate assets. [Amendment 21, subsection 273A(4) of the ITAA 1936]
2.23 Section 273B requires the trustee of a complying superannuation fund or of a PST to value the segregated current pension assets or segregated exempt superannuation assets annually for the purpose of ensuring that the value of the assets held in the segregated pool does not exceed the value of current pension liabilities or the value of exempt superannuation liabilities. Subsection 273B(2) currently requires the fund or PST to value the segregated assets no later than 60 days after the end of the income year.
2.24 In response to concerns raised by industry, and having regard to the reporting obligations of superannuation funds and PSTs, amendment 22 extends this period to 90 days after the end of the income year and gives the Commissioner a discretion to further extend this period in appropriate circumstances. The purpose of the discretion is to permit the Commissioner to allow additional time for funds (particularly self-managed funds that do not have to comply with the reporting obligations imposed on larger superannuation funds) to value assets held in the segregated pool. [Amendment 22, subsection 273B(2) of the ITAA 1936]
2.25 Similarly, sections 320-175 and 320-230 require a life insurance company (including a friendly society) to value the virtual PST assets and segregated exempt assets annually for the purpose of ensuring that the value of the assets held in the segregated pools do not exceed the value of virtual PST liabilities and the exempt life insurance policy liabilities respectively. Currently, the life insurance company must value the segregated assets no later than 60 days after the end of the income year.
2.26 In response to concerns raised by the friendly society industry, and having regard to the current transitional reporting obligations of friendly societies that carry on life insurance business, amendments 67 to 70 will allow friendly societies up to 90 days after the end of the 2000-2001 income year to determine the value of assets in the segregated pools as at the end of the 2000-2001 income year. [Amendments 67 to 70, subsections 320-170(2) and 320-230(2) of the ITTP 1997]
2.27 Section 273D outlines the circumstances in which a complying superannuation fund or PST can transfer assets to the segregated current pension assets or segregated exempt superannuation assets other than as a result of an annual valuation.
2.28 Subsections 273D(2) and (3) currently allow assets to be transferred to the segregated pool if:
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- a current pension begins to be paid to the member of a complying superannuation fund other than because of the roll-over of an eligible termination payment (ETP); or
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- a unit in a PST that is held by a complying superannuation fund or life insurance company becomes an exempt unit because of subsection 273D(2) of the ITAA 1936 or subsection 320-195(1) of the ITAA 1997 respectively.
2.29 Amendment 25 ensures that:
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- if a current pension begins to be paid or a unit in a PST becomes an exempt unit in the above circumstances and the trustee of the fund or PST elects to have that liability discharged out of the segregated assets, then the trustee must, at the time of the election, transfer assets to the segregated pool; and
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- the assets transferred to the segregated pool must have a total transfer value equal to (rather than a value not exceeding) the value of the liabilities attributable to the current pension or the value of the unit, as the case may be.
2.30 The amendment is required because the consequences of transferring assets when a current pension begins to be paid or a unit becomes an exempt unit are different to the consequences that arise when an asset is transferred in other circumstances. [Amendment 25, subsections 273D(2) and (3) of the ITAA 1936]
2.31 Amendment 26 effectively removes subsection 273D(5)(a) to ensure that where a current pension begins to be paid to a member of a complying superannuation fund other than because of the roll-over of an ETP, subsection 273D(2) will apply. [Amendment 26, subsection 273D(5) of the ITAA 1936]
2.32 Section 273F defines the exempt superannuation liabilities of a PST. Amendment 27 replaces an incorrect reference to a PST's exempt superannuation assets in subsection 273F(1) with a reference to the PST's segregated exempt superannuation assets. [Amendment 27, subsection 273F(1) of the ITAA 1936]
2.33 Section 273J provides a transitional rule that allows complying superannuation funds and PSTs to certify part of an asset as being a segregated asset that can be held in the exempt pool of assets. Amendment 30 replaces an incorrect reference to a life insurance company in subsection 273J(3) with a reference to the trustee of a complying superannuation fund or of a PST. [Amendment 30, subsection 273J(3) of the ITAA 1936]
Amendments 31 to 34, 39 and 40
2.34 Subsections 281A(2) provides that, if an asset that is transferred to the segregated current pension assets of a complying superannuation fund because a pension commences to be paid to a member other than because of the roll-over of an ETP (i.e. under subsection 273D(2)) is disposed of by the fund, the assessable income of the fund includes the lesser of:
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- the amount (if any) that would have been included in assessable income if the asset had been disposed of at the time it was transferred to the segregated assets; and
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- the amount (if any) that would be included in assessable income because of the actual disposal of the asset if the asset was not a segregated asset at the time of disposal.
2.35 Subsection 281AA(1) allows a deduction if the lesser of the 2 amounts calculated above is negative.
2.36 Similar rules apply:
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- if an asset is subsequently transferred from the segregated current pension rather than disposed of by the fund (subsection 281A(3) and subsection 281AA(3)); or
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- if an asset is transferred to the segregated exempt superannuation assets of a PST under subsection 273D(3) (subsections 296A(2) and (3) and subsections 296AA(1) and (2)).
2.37 Amendments 31, 33, 39 and 40 make a minor technical change to subsections 281A(2), 281AA(1), 296A(2) and 296AA(1) to clarify the operation of the provisions. [Amendments 31, 33, 39 and 40, paragraphs 281A(2)(b), 281AA(1)(b), 296A(2)(b) and 296AA(1)(b) of the ITAA 1936]
2.38 Amendments 32 and 34 provide a transitional rule for complying superannuation funds that:
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- have fewer than 5 members as at 1 July 2000 - that is, that are self-managed funds or small APRA funds; and
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- transfer assets that were acquired by the fund before 1 July 2000 to their segregated current pension assets between 1 July 2000 and 30 June 2005 under subsection 273D(2) - that is, because a pension commences to be paid, to a member of the fund other than because of the roll-over of an ETP where the trustee elects to have that liability discharged out of the fund's segregated current pension assets.
2.39 The rules in subsections 281A(2) and (3) and subsections 281AA(1) and (2) applying to the transfer of an asset under subsection 273D(2) do not apply to a complying superannuation fund that qualifies for this transitional relief. Instead, the assessable income of the fund will include the amount calculated as follows:
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- the amount that would be included in assessable income if section 273H applied to the asset at the time of transfer to the segregated current pension assets,
- less
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- the amount that would be included in assessable income if the asset had been transferred to the segregated current pension assets on 1 July 2000 and section 273H applied to that asset.
2.40 If the amount calculated is positive, the fund will include the amount in its assessable income of the fund at the time the asset is disposed of by the fund or is subsequently transferred out of the segregated assets. [Amendment 32, subsections 281A(4) and (5) of the ITAA 1936]
2.41 Similarly, if the amount calculated above is negative, the fund will be entitled to a deduction for that amount at the time the asset is disposed of by the fund or is subsequently transferred out of the segregated assets. [Amendment 34, subsections 281AA(3) and 281A(4) of the ITAA 1936]
2.42 The purpose of the amendments is to alleviate the immediate impact of the measures on members of self-managed superannuation funds and small APRA funds who are close to retirement. The amendments will also give other members of these funds a reasonable time to adjust their retirement plans having regard to the new taxation arrangements.
Example 2.1
A member of a self-managed superannuation fund commences a pension on 1 July 2004. The trustee of the fund transfers assets on that date to the segregated current pension assets to support the pension. One of the assets transferred has:
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- a cost base of $41,000 at both 1 July 2000 and 1 July 2004;
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- a market value of $50,000 as at 1 July 2000; and
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- a market value of $56,000 as at 1 July 2004.
The amount that would be included in assessable income if section 273H applied to the asset at the time of transfer to the segregated current pension assets (assuming that the fund would have made a discount capital gain and has no capital losses) is $10,000 (i.e. 2/3 of $15,000 ($56,000 less $41,000)).
The amount that would be included in assessable income if the asset had been transferred to the segregated current pension assets on 1 July 2000 and section 273H applied to that asset (assuming that the fund would have made a discount capital gain and has no capital losses) is $6,000 (i.e. 2/3 of $9,000 ($50,000 less $41,000)).
Therefore, the fund will include $4,000 in its assessable income at the time the asset is disposed of by the fund or is subsequently transferred out of the segregated assets.
2.43 Currently complying superannuation funds can elect to calculate the amount of income that relates to current pension liabilities using either a segregated assets approach or an arbitrary formula approach. The Bill modifies the segregated assets approach and removes the arbitrary formula approach.
2.44 As a transitional measure, amendment 35 will allow certain defined benefit superannuation schemes to use the segregated assets approach or a formula approach to work out the amount of exempt income relating to current pension liabilities. The transitional rule will only apply to a defined benefit scheme (as defined in the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 ) that:
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- is a complying superannuation fund for the purposes of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 ;
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- at the end of the income year, has current pension liabilities that are less than 1% of it's total liabilities;
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- is closed to new members as at 1 July 2000; and
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- does not, before or during the income year, choose to use the segregated current pension assets approach.
2.45 The exempt income of defined benefit superannuation schemes that qualify for this transitional measure will be worked out applying the formula:
Normal assessable income * (average value of current pension / average value of total liabilities during the income year)
[Amendment 35, section 282C of the ITAA 1936]
2.46 Section 283 provides a transitional rule that exempts complying superannuation funds from tax on certain amounts transferred from their segregated current pension assets until 30 June 2005. Section 297BA provides similar transitional relief to PSTs. Amendments 36, 37, 41 and 42 replace incorrect references in these sections to Division 1 with references to Division 1A. [Amendments 36, 37, 41 and 42, sections 283 and 297BA of the ITAA 1936]
2.47 As a transitional rule, section 320-40 exempts life insurance companies from tax on one-third of specified management fees on certain life insurance policies taken out before 1 July 2000. The exemption will cease to apply from 30 June 2005. Sections 283 and 297BA provide similar transitional relief to complying superannuation funds and PSTs respectively.
2.48 The rationale for the transitional relief is that, currently, a full tax deduction is not allowed for policy acquisition expenses to the extent that associated management fees are not taxed at the company tax rate. These acquisition expenses are recovered from fees charged on the policy in its initial years - fees that will now be taxed at the company tax rate.
2.49 In these circumstances it is not appropriate to deny a deduction for expenses incurred by the company as a consequence of the transitional relief being in the form of an exemption.
2.50 Therefore, amendments 38, 43 and 51 ensure that income that is exempt under the transitional arrangements is treated as assessable income for the purpose of claiming deductions under section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997. [Amendments 38, 43 and 51, subsections 283(4) and subsection 297BA(4) of the ITAA 1936, subsection 320-40(8) of the ITAA 1997]
2.51 Section 50-20 ensures that the income of friendly societies is exempt from tax provided that they meet certain conditions - this exemption will be removed with effect from 1 July 2001. Section 50-72 ensures that the exemption does not apply to income derived from life insurance business. Life insurance business includes the business of issuing income bonds, funeral polices and scholarship plans.
2.52 Income derived by friendly societies relating to income bonds, funeral polices and scholarship plans is intended to be exempt from tax until 1 July 2001. Income relating to this business will then be taxed as life insurance business unless the income is attributable to income bonds, funeral policies and scholarship plans taken out before 1 December 1999 (paragraph 320-35(1)(f)).
2.53 Amendment 44 ensures that income derived by friendly societies relating to income bonds, funeral polices and scholarship plans is exempt from tax until 1 July 2001. [Amendment 44, subsection 50-72 of the ITAA 1997]
2.54 Items 71 to 83 of Schedule 2 to the Bill make consequential changes to the CGT provisions of the ITAA 1997 arising from the new taxation regime for life insurance companies.
2.55 Amendments 45 and 46 replace incorrect references to virtual CGT assets with references to virtual PST assets. [Amendments 45 and 46, paragraphs 102-3(2)(d) and 115-10(d) of the ITAA 1997]
2.56 Amendments 47, 48 and 49 ensure that, to avoid any unintended consequences, the references to a life insurance policy in sections 118-300 and 152-20 are restricted to those policies that qualify as life insurance policies under the current law. [Amendments 47, 48 and 49, subsection 118-300(1) and subparagraph 152-20(2)(b)(v) of the ITAA 1997]
2.57 Paragraph 320-35(1)(c) exempts life insurance companies from tax on amounts received from the disposal of units in a PST. Amendment 50 makes a technical change to ensure that the exemption applies to amounts of ordinary income and statutory income received from the disposal of units in a PST. [Amendment 50, paragraph 320-35(1)(c) of the ITAA 1997]
2.58 If a life insurance company transfers an asset (other than money) to or from a virtual PST in certain circumstances, the company is deemed to have disposed of the asset.
2.59 Paragraph 320-15(e) includes in the assessable income of a life insurance company any assessable amount that arises as a consequence of the deemed disposal of an asset (other than money) that is transferred to a virtual PST:
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- to make up a shortfall in the virtual PST that is identified on the annual valuation of virtual PST assets - that is, a subsection 320-180(2) transfer;
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- to make up a shortfall in the virtual PST that is identified at a time other than on the annual valuation of virtual PST assets - that is, a subsection 320-185(1) transfer;
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- in exchange for an amount of money equal to the transfer value of the asset - that is, a subsection 320-185(2) transfer:
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- this might occur if, for example, the company holds a parcel of shares inside the virtual PST assets which is no longer consistent with the investment strategy for that part of its business. The company may wish to transfer the shares to another part of its business. To save transaction costs, the shares could be transferred to the virtual PST for consideration equal to the transfer value; and
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- in respect of premiums paid to the company for the purchase of virtual PST life insurance policies - that is, a subsection 320-185(3) transfer.
2.60 In addition, paragraph 320-15(e) applies if an asset (other than money) is transferred from a virtual PST:
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- to reduce an excess amount held in the virtual PST that is identified on the annual valuation of virtual PST assets - that is, subsection 320-180(1) transfers;
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- in exchange for an amount of money equal to the transfer value of the asset - that is, subsection 320-195(2) transfers;
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- to pay fees or charges imposed on the virtual PST or to reduce an excess amount held in the virtual PST that is identified at a time other than on the annual valuation of virtual PST assets - that is, subsection 320-195(3) transfers.
2.61 If an asset is transferred from the virtual PST under subsections 320-180(1), 320-195(2) or 320-195(3), then paragraph 320-205(3)(c) applies to allocate the assessable amount to the virtual PST component of the complying superannuation class of assessable income.
2.62 Amendment 52 allows the company to deduct any amount that is deductible as a consequence of the deemed disposal of an asset where an asset is transferred to or from the virtual PST under subsections 320-180(1) or (2), section 320-185 or subsections 320-195(2) or (3). Subsection 320-200(3) ensures that the deduction can be claimed only when:
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- the asset ceases to exist; or
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- the asset, or a greater than 50% interest in it, is acquired by an entity other than an entity that is an associate of the company immediately after the transfer.
[Amendment 52, section 320-87 of the ITAA 1997]
2.63 Amendment 58 ensures that if the asset is transferred from the virtual PST under subsections 320-180(1), 320-195(2) or 320-195(3), then the amount allowed as a deduction under section 320-87 will reduce the virtual PST component of the complying superannuation class of assessable income. [Amendment 58, paragraph 320-205(4)(ca) of the ITAA 1997]
2.64 Subsection 320-195(4) allows a life insurance company to pay benefits and expenses that relate solely to virtual PST assets directly from a virtual PST.
2.65 Amendment 55 ensures that any PAYG instalments relating to the virtual PST component of the complying superannuation class of taxable income can be paid directly from a virtual PST. [Amendment 55, paragraph 320-195(4)(c) of the ITAA 1997]
2.66 Subsection 320-200(3) prevents a life insurance company from claiming a deduction arising from the deemed disposal of an asset as a consequence of the transfer of the asset to or from the virtual PST until:
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- the asset ceases to exist; or
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- the asset, or a greater than 50% interest in it, is acquired by an entity other than an entity that is an associate of the company immediately after the transfer.
2.67 Amendment 56 ensures that this restriction does not apply to deny the company a deduction under section 320-55 for a life insurance premium that is transferred to the virtual PST. [Amendment 56, subsection 320-200(3) of the ITAA 1997]
2.68 Section 320-205 allocates appropriate amounts of assessable income and allowable deductions of a life insurance company to the virtual PST component of the complying superannuation class of taxable income - the complying superannuation class of taxable income is taxed at a rate of 15%.
2.69 Amendment 57 replaces an incorrect reference to subsection 130-185(3) in paragraph 320-205(3)(e) with a reference to subsection 320-185(3). [Amendment 57, paragraph 320-205(3)(e) of the ITAA 1997]
2.70 Amendment 59 clarifies the operation of paragraph 320-205(4)(e) which applies to reduce the virtual PST component by the amount that the company can claim as a deduction under subsection 115-215(6) that is attributable to capital gains that the company is taken to have under subsection 115-215(3) in respect of virtual PST assets that are interests in trust estates. [Amendment 59, paragraph 320-205(4)(e) of the ITAA 1997]
2.71 Section 320-85 allows a life insurance company a deduction for increases in the value of liabilities under the net risk components of policies over an income year. If there is a decrease in the value of those liabilities, that decrease is included in the company's assessable income under paragraph 320-15(h).
2.72 Subsection 320-85(4) provides that the value of liabilities of the risk component of policies (except for policies that are disability policies other than continuous disability policies) is the sum of the policy liabilities (as defined in Actuarial Standard 1.02 or Actuarial Standard (Friendly Societies) 1.01) in respect of the net risk components of policies less the sum of any cumulative losses for the net risk components of policies.
2.73 Section 320-85 of the ITTP 1997 provides that, as a transitional rule, the value of policy liabilities for disability policies (other than continuous disability policies) as at 30 June 2000 will be the value actually used for taxation purposes as at the end of 30 June 2000.
2.74 Amendment 66 ensures that, as a transitional rule, the value of policy liabilities for risk policies (other than disability policies covered by the existing transitional provision) as at 30 June 2000 will be the value of those liabilities as at the end of 30 June 2000 as calculated under subsection 320-85(4) of the ITAA 1997. [Amendment 66, subsection 320-85(2) of the ITTP 1997]
2.75 Schedule 3 to the Bill amends the dividend imputation provisions in the ITAA 1936 that affect life insurance companies. Amendments 71 to 75 replace incorrect references to section 320-15 of the ITAA 1997 with references to section 320-35 in:
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- paragraph 160AQT(4)(b);
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- paragraph 160AQU(2)(b);
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- paragraph 160AQWA(b);
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- subparagraph 160AQZB(1)(c)(ii); and
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- subparagraph 160AQZC(1)(c)(ii).
[Amendments 71 to 75, paragraphs 160AQT(4)(b), 160AQU(2)(b), 160AQWA(b), subparagraphs 160AQZB(1)(c)(ii) and 160AQZC(1)(c)(ii) of the ITAA 1936]
2.76 Schedule 9 to the Bill amends the Dictionary in the ITAA 1997.
2.77 Amendment 76 amends the definition of 'continuous disability policy' to ensure that a continuous disability policy has the same meaning given by section 9A of the Life Insurance Act 1995 . [Amendment 76, subsection 995-1 of the ITAA 1997]
2.78 Amendment 77 amends the definition of 'virtual PST life insurance policy' to ensure that a virtual PST life insurance policy includes a policy that is held by an individual in the benefit fund of a friendly society, where that benefit fund is a regulated superannuation fund under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 . The amendment will ensure that a friendly society can hold these policies inside its virtual PST. [Amendment 77, subsection 995-1 of the ITAA 1997]