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This edited version has been archived due to the length of time since original publication.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: 1012718265819

Ruling

Subject: Professional arts business

Question

Are you carrying on a business as a video artist?

Answer

Yes

This ruling applies for the following periods:

Year ending 30 June 2013

Year ending 30 June 2014

The scheme commenced on:

1 June 2013

Relevant facts and circumstances

You have commenced activities as a video artist and have obtained an ABN.

You spend approximately 12-14 hours per week carrying out the activities undertaking the following tasks:

You have entered numerous competitions and festivals and have been involved in exhibitions including a solo exhibition.

You have contacted various art agencies seeking advice and seek to discuss the logistics of your creative industry with professional filmmakers, producers and artists. You are aiming to develop your profile to the extent that the majority of your income will be earned as a professional video artist.

You have maintained a record of the income and expenses you have made in relation to the activities.

You receive other income from other employment while you work to increase your contracted video artist activities.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 6-5

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 995-1

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Subsection 35-10(5)

Reasons for decision

A professional arts business is a business you carry on as the author of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, or a performing artist or production associate (subsection 35-10(5) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997).

Taxation Ruling TR 2005/1 provides guidance on the principles to be applied in determining whether a professional artist is carrying on a professional arts business. The ruling recognises that there are special factors affecting artists. However, a professional arts business must be distinguishable from a hobby or recreation. Paragraph 10 of TR 2005/1 states that the courts have held that the following indicators are relevant to the question of whether a taxpayer's activities amount to the carrying on of a business:

No individual factor is determinative, but should be weighed up in conjunction with the other factors.

TR 2005/1 discusses Pedley v FC of T [2006] AATA 108 (Pedley's case) at paragraphs 95A and 95B:

We consider that your case is similar to Pedley's case. After weighing up the relative business indicators and objective facts surrounding your case it is considered that you are carrying on a professional arts business for taxation purposes.


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).