Edited version of private advice

Authorisation Number: 1052401820160

Date of advice: 12 June 2025

Ruling

Subject: Superannuation death benefit - interdependency

Question 1

Was the Beneficiary a death benefits dependant of the Deceased according to section 302-195 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997), due to being in an interdependency relationship with the Deceased under section 302-200 of the ITAA 1997?

Summary

An interdependency relationship as defined under section 302-200 of the ITAA 1997 did not exist between the Deceased and the Beneficiary, as all of the requirements set out in the legislation have not been satisfied in this case.

Therefore, the Beneficiary is not a death benefits dependant of the Deceased as defined in section 302-195 of the ITAA 1997.

Consequently, the taxable component of the superannuation lump sum death benefit paid to the Beneficiary is assessable income, taxed under section 302-145 of the ITAA 1997.

Detailed reasoning

Meaning of death benefits dependant

Division 302 of the ITAA 1997 sets out the taxation arrangements that apply to the payment of superannuation death benefits. These arrangements depend on whether the person that receives the superannuation death benefit is a dependant of the deceased and whether the amount is paid as a lump sum superannuation death benefit or a superannuation income stream death benefit.

A superannuation death benefit is defined in section 307-5 of the ITAA 1997 as:

•                     A payment to you from a superannuation fund, after another person's death, because the other person was a fund member.

A superannuation lump sum is described in section 307-65 of the ITAA 1997 as a superannuation benefit that is not a superannuation income stream, as defined in section 307-70 of the ITAA 1997.

The taxable component of a superannuation death benefit paid as a lump sum to a non-dependant beneficiary is assessable income and is taxed under section 302-145 of the ITAA 1997.

Where a person who was a dependant of the deceased receives a superannuation death benefit paid as a lump sum, the death benefit is not assessable income and is not exempt income, under section 302-60 of the ITAA 1997.

Subsection 995-1(1) of the ITAA 1997 states that the term 'death benefits dependant' has the meaning given by section 302-195 of the ITAA 1997. Subsection 302-195(1) of the ITAA 1997 defines a death benefits dependant as follows:

A death benefits dependant, of a person who has died, is

a.             the deceased person's spouse or former spouse; or

b.             the deceased person's child, aged less than 18; or

c.             any other person with whom the deceased person had an interdependency relationship under section 302-200 just before he or she died; or

d.             any other person who was a dependant of the deceased person just before he or she died.

As the Beneficiary is the parent of the Deceased, paragraphs 302-195(1)(a) and (b) of the ITAA 1997 are not applicable.

The definition of death benefits dependant does not stipulate the nature or degree of dependency required to be a dependant of the deceased person in paragraph 302-195(1)(d) of the ITAA 1997. However, it is generally accepted that this paragraph refers to financial dependence.

The Beneficiary was not financially dependent on the Deceased person and therefore, paragraph 302-195(1)(d) of the ITAA 1997 is not applicable.

To meet the definition of a death benefits dependant, the Beneficiary must have been in an interdependency relationship with the Deceased, in accordance with paragraph 302-195(1)(c) of the ITAA 1997.

Interdependency relationship

Under subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997, an interdependency relationship is defined as:

Two persons (whether or not related by family) have an interdependency relationship under this section if:

a.             they have a close personal relationship; and

b.             they live together; and

c.             one or each of them provides the other with financial support; and

d.             one or each of them provides the other with domestic support and personal care.

Subsection 302-200(2) of the ITAA 1997 states:

In addition, 2 persons (whether or not related by family) also have an interdependency relationship under this section if:

a.             they have a close personal relationship; and

b.             they do not satisfy one or more of the requirements of an interdependency relationship mentioned in paragraphs (1)(b), (c) and (d); and

c.             the reason they do not satisfy those requirements is that either or both of them suffer from a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability.

To assist in determining whether two people have an interdependency relationship, paragraph 302-200(3)(a) of the ITAA 1997 provides that the regulations may specify the matters that are or are not to be taken into account.

Subsection 302-200.01(2) of the Income Tax Assessment (1997 Act) Regulations 2021 (ITAR 2021) states the matters to be taken into account. These matters are all of the circumstances of the relationship between the persons, including (where relevant):

a.            the duration of the relationship

b.            the ownership, use and acquisition of property

c.             the degree of mutual commitment to a shared life

d.            the reputation and public aspects of the relationship

e.            the degree of emotional support

f.              the extent to which the relationship is one of mere convenience

g.            any evidence that the parties intend the relationship to be permanent; and

h.            the existence of a statutory declaration signed by one of the persons to the effect that the person is, or (in the case of a statutory declaration made after the end of the relationship) was in an interdependency relationship with the other person.

Paragraph 302-200(3)(b) of the ITAA 1997 states that the regulations may specify the circumstances in which two people have, or do not have an interdependency relationship.

Section 302-200.02 of the ITAR 2021 sets out the circumstances in which two people have an interdependency relationship.

Subsection 302-200.02(2) of the ITAR 2021 provides that an interdependency relationship exists between two people where:

a.             they satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 302-200(1)(a) to (c) of the ITAA 1997; and

b.             one or both of them provides the other with support and care of a type and quality normally provided in a close personal relationship rather than by a mere friend or flatmate, for example one person provides significant care for the other person when they are unwell or suffering emotionally.

Subsections 302-200.02(3) and (4) of the ITAR 2021 provide that an interdependency relationship also exists between two people where:

a.             they have a close personal relationship; and

b.             they do not satisfy one or more of the other requirements set out in subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997 because:

                              i.                they are temporarily living apart, for example because one of them is temporarily working overseas or in gaol; or

                             ii.                one (or both) of them suffers from a disability.

Subsection 302-200.02(5) of the ITAR 2021 states that two persons do not have an interdependency relationship if one of them provides domestic support and personal care to the other:

a.             under an employment contract or a contract for services; or

b.             on behalf of another person or organisation such as a government agency, a body corporate or a benevolent or charitable organisation.

All of the conditions in subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997, or alternatively, subsection 302-200(2) of the ITAA 1997, or one of the tests in section 302-200.02 of the ITAR 2021 must be satisfied for a person to be in an interdependency relationship with another person. We deal with each condition in turn, to establish if an interdependency relationship existed.

Close personal relationship

The first requirement to be met is specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(a) of the ITAA 1997, which states that the two persons (whether or not related by family) must have a close personal relationship.

This requirement is common to all of the tests specified in section 302-200 of the ITAA 1997 and section 302-200.02 of the ITAR 2021.

A detailed explanation of subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997 is set out in the Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum (SEM) to the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Choice of Superannuation Funds) Act 2004, which states:

a.             A close personal relationship will be one that involves a demonstrated and ongoing commitment to the emotional support and well-being of the two parties.

b.             Indicators of a close personal relationship may include:

i)              the duration of the relationship;

ii)             the degree of mutual commitment to a shared life;

iii)            the reputation and public aspects of the relationship (such as whether the relationship is publicly acknowledged).

The above indicators are not an exclusive list and none of them are required for a close personal relationship to exist.

People who share accommodation for convenience (such as flatmates) or people who provide care as part of an employment relationship or on behalf of a charity are not intended to fall within the definition of a close personal relationship

The Explanatory Statement to the Income Tax Amendment Regulations 2005 (No. 7) states that:

a.             Generally speaking, it is not expected that children will be in an interdependency relationship with their parents.

While this statement does not preclude a child from being in an interdependency relationship with a parent, it suggests that interdependency only exists where the relationship goes beyond the usual relationship between an adult child and a parent.

A close personal relationship as specified in subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997 would not normally exist between a parent and an adult child because there would not be a mutual commitment to a shared life between the two. In addition, the relationship between parents and their adult children would be expected to change significantly over time. It would be expected that the adult child would eventually move out and secure independence from their parents.

However, where unusual and exceptional circumstances exist, a relationship between a parent and an adult child may be treated as an interdependency relationship for the purposes of subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997.

The relationship between the Beneficiary and the Deceased was not over and above a normal family relationship between a parent and an adult child.

No evidence has been provided to suggest a mutual commitment to a shared life existed between the Beneficiary and the Deceased.

It was decided that the Deceased would move in with the Beneficiary as the Beneficiary's health was worsening and they required more support.

In 2021 the Deceased moved into the Beneficiary's unit. The Beneficiary owns this unit, and it's located in a retirement village.

From 2021 the Beneficiary and the Deceased cared for and supported the Deceased sibling. The Deceased also assisted their sibling to find a place to live as they were no longer able to care for themself.

The Deceased lived rent free with the Beneficiary and was not required to contribute financially to the living costs.

It has not been demonstrated that there was a mutual commitment to a shared life, nor that the relationship between the Beneficiary and the Deceased was over and above the usual relationship between an adult child and a parent.

No evidence has been provided to support this and we note the Beneficiary's advanced age when the Deceased moved in with them. This combined with the Beneficiary's health conditions would suggest that the arrangement was out of necessity rather than a want to share a future together.

Therefore, a close personal relationship did not exist between the Beneficiary and the Deceased and the first requirement specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(a) of the ITAA 1997 has not been satisfied in this case.

Living together

The second requirement to be met is specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(b) of the ITAA 1997 and states that two interdependent persons (whether or not related by family) live together.

The term 'live' is not defined in the ITAA 1997 or accompanying regulations. According to the Macquarie Dictionary, the term 'live' means to dwell or reside. The term 'reside' is defined as the action of dwelling in a particular place permanently or for a considerable time. In the context of paragraph 302-200(1)(b) of the ITAA 1997, the living arrangements must have some degree of permanency that is only disturbed by the death of one of the persons.

Prior to the Deceased's death, the Beneficiary and the Deceased lived together from 2021 until their death.

Consequently, the requirement specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(b) of the ITAA 1997 has been satisfied in this case.

Financial support

The third requirement to be met is specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(c) of the ITAA 1997, which states that one or each of these two persons provides the other with financial support.

Financial support under paragraph 302-200(1)(c) of the ITAA 1997 is satisfied if some level of financial support (not necessarily substantial) is being provided by one person (or each of them) to the other.

You have stated that, during the period the Deceased lived with the Beneficiary, financial support was provided by the Beneficiary to the Deceased, as follows:

•                     Not charging any rent

•                     Paying for all household expenses, including all utility bills and food

Documentation, by way of bank statement, has been provided to show the Deceased made frequent purchases of groceries and at pharmacies in the months prior to their death.

From the facts presented, the Deceased had sufficient income from external sources to support themselves financially and were not financially dependent on the Beneficiary to pay for their expenses and provide them with accommodation, meals and cash for living expenses.

The bank statement for the Deceased shows purchases which may have been made to assist the Beneficiary

Therefore, we consider that the Deceased provided the Beneficiary with financial support during the final months of the Deceased's life.

Consequently, paragraph 302-200(1)(c) of the ITAA 1997 has been satisfied.

Domestic support and personal care

The fourth requirement to be met is specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(d) of the ITAA 1997, which states that one or each of these two persons provides the other with domestic support and personal care. In discussing the meaning of domestic support and personal care, paragraph 2.16 of the SEM states:

(a)           Domestic support and personal care will commonly be of a frequent and ongoing nature. For example, domestic support services will consist of attending to the household shopping, cleaning, laundry, and like services. Personal care services may commonly consist of assistance with mobility, personal hygiene and generally ensuring the physical and emotional comfort of a person.

In statements made in support of the application, it was advised that:

•                     The Deceased took the Beneficiary to medical appointments.

•                     The Deceased cared for and supported the Deceased sibling and assisted them to find a place to live.

•                     The Deceased carried out all domestic duties for the home

•                     The Deceased spent approximately 10 hours per week assisting the Beneficiary.

No documentation has been provided to support the statements made in relation to domestic support and personal care.

Therefore, the requirement in paragraph 302-200(1)(d) of the ITAA 1997 has not been satisfied.

Conclusion

As all of the requirements in section 302-200 of the ITAA 1997 have not been satisfied, the Deceased and Beneficiary were not in an interdependency relationship in the period just before the Deceased's death.

As the Beneficiary was not in an interdependency relationship with the Deceased, the Beneficiary is not a death benefits dependant as defined under section 302-195 of the ITAA 1997.

The taxable component of the superannuation lump sum death benefits to be paid to the Beneficiaries is assessable income, taxed under section 302-145 of the ITAA 1997.