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This edited version has been archived due to the length of time since original publication. It should not be regarded as indicative of the ATO's current views. The law may have changed since original publication, and views in the edited version may also be affected by subsequent precedents and new approaches to the application of the law.

You cannot rely on this record in your tax affairs. It is not binding and provides you with no protection (including from any underpaid tax, penalty or interest). In addition, this record is not an authority for the purposes of establishing a reasonably arguable position for you to apply to your own circumstances. For more information on the status of edited versions of private advice and reasons we publish them, see PS LA 2008/4.

Edited version of private ruling

Authorisation Number: 1011713478355

Ruling

Subject: NRAS

Questions:

Will the incentive payments you receive from the relevant state government for the purposes of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) be non-exempt non-assessable income?

Answer: Yes.

Are you entitled to the NRAS Tax Offset?

Answer: Yes.

This ruling applies for the following periods:

Income year ended 30 June 2011

Income year ended 30 June 2012

Income year ended 30 June 2013

Income year ended 30 June 2014

Income year ended 30 June 2015

Income year ended 30 June 2016

Income year ended 30 June 2017

Income year ended 30 June 2018

Income year ended 30 June 2019

Income year ended 30 June 2020

The scheme commences on:

1 July 2010

Relevant facts and circumstances

The arrangement that is the subject of the private ruling is described below. This description is based on the following documents. These documents form part of and are to be read with this description. The relevant documents are:

The previous private ruling addressed the arrangement detailed in paragraph 8 of appendix one of your application. This ruling addresses point 6 of the appendix.

You, as an approved participant under NRAS, have been granted an allocation of houses by the Housing Secretary.

You will enter a head lease arrangement with the owner of a number of residential properties.

You will subsequently sub-lease these properties to a not for profit entity, who will sub-lease the property to eligible tenants under NRAS.

Upon satisfactory compliance with NRAS, the Housing Secretary will issue you a certificate under NRAS. The certificate will state the amount of the tax offset and income year to which it relates.

The relevant state government will make payments to you in respect of your NRAS participation.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 380-5

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 385-35

Reasons for decision

NRAS is an initiative of the Australian Government intended to assist low to middle income earners secure affordable accommodation. Subject to satisfactory compliance with NRAS each reporting year, the initiative provides annual incentives to participants who provide housing at below market rates to eligible tenants. The incentives include an Australian Government contribution of $6,000 by way of a tax offset and a state government contribution of $2,000, these amounts being indexed each year subsequent to the scheme's commencement.

Section 380-5 of the ITAA 1997 provides that you are entitled to the NRAS tax offset if you are an individual, corporate tax entity or superannuation fund and the Housing Secretary issues you a certificate under NRAS. The amount of the tax offset and the income year to which it relates will be stated on the certificate.

Section 380-35 of the ITAA 1997 provides that a payment made to you by a department of a state in respect of your NRAS participation is non-exempt non-assessable (NANE) income.

In your situation, upon satisfactory compliance in respect of your NRAS participation, you will be issued a certificate by the Housing Secretary and the state government will make a payment to you as their contribution under NRAS.

Accordingly you are entitled to the NRAS tax offset for the amounts and income years stated on your certificates and the state government payment is NANE income.


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