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This edited version has been archived due to the length of time since original publication.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

Authorisation Number: 1012712160680

Ruling

Subject: Non-commercial losses - Commissioner's discretion - commercially viable period

Question

Will the Commissioner exercise the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(c) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) to allow you to include any losses from your business activity in your calculation of taxable income for the 2012-13 financial year?

Answer

Yes.

This ruling applies for the following period

Year ending 30 June 2013

The scheme commenced on

1 July 2012

Relevant facts

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:

You do not satisfy the income requirement set out in subsection 35-10(2E) of the ITAA 1997.

You acquired an acreage property.

Some years later, you applied for a Development Application for the approval for the subdivision into lots.

This required the engagement of professionals such as: consultation with council officers, legal, surveyors, engineers, valuers, etc. Upon approval of council, the land was marketed by a real estate agent and upon achievement of pre-sales, finance arrangements were put in place to allow the subdivision to take place. You engaged contractors to undertake the necessary sub-division work and commenced sales of the blocks.

You have provided actual figures for the first year and projected figures for the next two years, to show that profits could be made in the latter two years.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 subsection 35-10(1)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 subsection 35-10(2)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 subsection 35-10(2E)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 paragraph 35-55(1)(c)

Reasons for decision

For the 2009-10 and later financial years, Division 35 of the ITAA 1997 will apply to defer a non-commercial loss from a business activity unless:

In your situation, you do not satisfy the income requirement (that is, your taxable income, reportable fringe benefits and reportable superannuation contributions but excluding your business losses, exceeds $250,000) and do not come under any of the exceptions. Your business losses are therefore subject to the deferral rule unless the Commissioner exercises his discretion.

The relevant discretion may be exercised for the income year in question where:

Having regard to your full circumstances, it is accepted that it is in the nature of the business activity that has prevented you making a tax profit. It is also accepted that you will make a tax profit within the commercially viable period for your industry.

Consequently the Commissioner will exercise his discretion in the 2012-13 financial year.

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).