Disclaimer
This edited version has been archived due to the length of time since original publication.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 your private ruling

Authorisation Number: 1012172611184

Ruling

Subject: Assessability of rental income

Questions and answers

Are you assessable on the payments you receive from your child who lives in a property you own?

No.

Are you entitled to claim deductions for losses or outgoings in relation to the property?

No.

This ruling applies for the following periods:

Year ending 30 June 2012

Year ending 30 June 2013

Year ending 30 June 2014

Year ending 30 June 2015

The scheme commenced on:

1 July 2011

Relevant facts and circumstances

You have a property that 1-3 of your children live in and pay below market rent of between one third to two thirds of market.

You have a key and access to the property at your discretion.

You store personal effects on the property.

You do not claim any deductions for this property.

Relevant legislative provisions:

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Subsection 6-5(2).

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 8-1.

Reasons for decision

Taxation Ruling IT 2167 provides guidelines in determining the authenticity or otherwise of rental arrangements, the assessability of receipts derived from various rental arrangements and the deductibility of expenses incurred in connection with a property where the arrangement is not one that is affected at arms length.

In your situation, the payments you receive from your children are not considered to be rental income since it is a non-arms length transaction and is not at a commercial rate of rent.

Therefore, the payments received from your children are not assessable income. In addition, as the arrangement is private in nature, no deductions are allowable in respect of losses or outgoings incurred in connection with the property.


Copyright notice

© Australian Taxation Office for the Commonwealth of Australia

You are free to copy, adapt, modify, transmit and distribute material on this website as you wish (but not in any way that suggests the ATO or the Commonwealth endorses you or any of your services or products).