ATO Interpretative Decision
ATO ID 2006/297 (Withdrawn)
Income Tax
Deductibility of compound interest on a split loan facilityFOI status: may be released
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This ATO ID is withdrawn as guidance is contained in Taxation Ruling TR 98/22 Income tax: the taxation consequences for taxpayers entering into certain linked or split loan facilities and in the Rental properties Guide 2016 (QC 48221).This document incorporates revisions made since original publication. View its history and amending notices, if applicable.
This ATOID provides you with the following level of protection:
If you reasonably apply this decision in good faith to your own circumstances (which are not materially different from those described in the decision), and the decision is later found to be incorrect you will not be liable to pay any penalty or interest. However, you will be required to pay any underpaid tax (or repay any over-claimed credit, grant or benefit), provided the time limits under the law allow it. If you do intend to apply this decision to your own circumstances, you will need to ensure that the relevant provisions referred to in the decision have not been amended or repealed. You may wish to obtain further advice from the Tax Office or from a professional adviser.
Issue
Is the taxpayer entitled to a deduction under section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) for compound interest incurred on funds borrowed, under a split loan facility, to acquire an income producing asset?
Decision
Yes. The taxpayer is entitled to a deduction under section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997 for compound interest incurred on funds borrowed, under a split loan facility, to acquire an income producing asset. The Commissioner, however, will exercise his discretion under Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936) to disallow the deduction otherwise allowable.
Facts
The taxpayer took out a loan to purchase a residential property which they used as their main residence (property A).
The taxpayer then purchased another property which was used for income producing purposes (property B).
They took out a split loan facility with a financial institution with one account being used to refinance the loan for property A and the other account being used to purchase property B.
The split loan facility required a minimum principal and interest repayment.
The taxpayer allocated all of their repayments to the account that related to property A.
As interest was capitalised on the account that related to property B, compound interest, being interest on the capitalised interest, accrued on that account.
Reasons for Decision
Section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997 allows a deduction for any loss or outgoing that is incurred in gaining or producing assessable income to the extent that it is not of a private, capital or domestic nature.
The deductibility of an outgoing is determined by its essential character (Lunney & Hayley v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1958) 100 CLR 478; (1958) 11 ATD 404; (1958) 7 AITR 166).
The character of interest is determined by the purpose of the borrowing. Generally, the purpose of a borrowing can be determined from the use of borrowed funds and outgoings of interest ordinarily draw their character from that use (Fletcher & Ors v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1991) 173 CLR 1; 91 ATC 4950; (1991) 22 ATR 613, Kidston Goldmines Limited v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1991) 30 FCR 77; 91 ATC 4538; (1991) 22 ATR 168).
It is, therefore, generally accepted that ordinary interest incurred on funds borrowed to acquire an income producing asset is an allowable deduction.
In Hart v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (2002) 121 FCR 206; 2002 ATC 4608; (2002) 50 ATR 369 it was held that compound interest, as with ordinary interest, derives its character from the use of the original borrowings.
In this case the compound interest was incurred on funds borrowed, under the split loan facility, to acquire property B which was used solely for income producing purposes. As such, the compound interest was incurred in earning assessable income and is an allowable deduction under section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997.
Notwithstanding the above conclusion, the Commissioner will apply his discretion under Part IVA of the ITAA 1936 to disallow the deduction. A full and detailed explanation of the reasons for the application of Part IVA is set out in Taxation Ruling TR 98/22.
Date of decision: 5 October 2006Year of income: Year ended 30 June 2006
Legislative References:
Income Tax Assessment Act 1936
Part IVA
section 8-1
Case References:
Fletcher & Ors v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation
(1991) 173 CLR 1
91 ATC 4950
22 ATR 613
(2002) 121 FCR 206
2002 ATC 4608
50 ATR 369 Kidston Goldmines Limited v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation
(1991) 30 FCR 77
91 ATC 4538
22 ATR 168 Lunney & Hayley v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation
100 CLR 478
(1958) 11 ATD 404
(1958) 7 AITR 166
Related Public Rulings (including Determinations)
Taxation Ruling TR 98/22
Taxation Ruling TR 2000/2
Taxation Determination TD 1999/42
Keywords
Borrowings & loans
Deductions & expenses
Interest expenses
Part IVA
ISSN: 1445-2782
| Date: | Version: | |
| 5 October 2006 | Original statement | |
| You are here | 31 March 2017 | Archived |