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This edited version has been archived due to the length of time since original publication.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

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Edited version of your private ruling

Authorisation Number: 1012531873859

Ruling

Subject: Deceased estate main residence exemption

Question

Will the Commissioner exercise his discretion under subsection 118-195(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) and allow an extension of time to the two year period?

Answer

Yes.

This ruling applies for the following periods:

Year ending 30 June 2012

Year ending 30 June 2013

The scheme commences on:

1 July 2011

Relevant facts and circumstances

The deceased passed away in 199X.

The deceased acquired their main residence in 197X.

The deceased's will name the deceased's children as the executors and beneficiaries to the estate.

The deceased's main residence was left as part of the estate. The property was transferred into the beneficiaries' names.

The deceased left a codicil to their will which provided that the deceased's spouse has a right to reside in the property during the spouse's lifetime.

The deceased's spouse resided in the property until 201X. At this time the spouse relinquished their right to the property when they moved into a nursing home.

The sale of the unit was completed a few months later and has resulted in a capital gain.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 118-195.

Reasons for decision

Subsection 118-195(1) of the ITAA 1997 states that if you are an individual who owns a dwelling in a capacity as trustee of a deceased estate, or the dwelling has passed to you as a beneficiary of the estate, then you are exempt from tax on any capital gain made on the disposal of the property if:

In your case the deceased acquired the property in 1975. The deceased passed away in July 1998 and the home was used by the deceased's spouse until the property was in September 2012.

Accordingly, you can disregard the capital gain that arose as a result of the disposal of the property under the main residence exemption.


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