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This edited version has been archived due to the length of time since original publication.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

Authorisation Number: 1012762846151

Ruling

Subject: Capital gains tax

Question 1

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.

Question 2

Will the entire capital gain made on the disposal of the property be disregarded?

Answer

No, only a portion of the capital gain can be disregarded.

This ruling applies for the following period

Year ending 30 June 2015

The scheme commences on

1 July 2014

Relevant facts and circumstances

The deceased died in the relevant financial year.

The deceased owned a property which was on land of more than 2 hectares.

The property was acquired by the deceased after 20 September 1985.

The property was the deceased's main residence at the time of their death and was not used to produce assessable income.

There were difficulties in resolving various issues of the deceased's estate due to the nature of the death and the deceased and their spouse having children from previous relationships.

The executor of the deceased's estate made efforts to dispose of the property. However, the executor of the spouse's estate was unco-operative.

The executor of the deceased's estate was prepared to issue proceedings in the Court seeking directions from the court in relation to the sale of the property. However prior to doing so the other executor changed solicitors and subsequently agreed to the sale of the property.

The property was sold and settlement occurred in the 2014-15 financial year.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Subsection 118-195(1)

Reasons for decision

Question 1

Subsection 118-195(1) of the ITAA 1997 allows a trustee of a deceased estate to disregard a capital gain or loss from a dwelling that a deceased person if:

The following is a non-exhaustive list of situations in which the Commissioner would be expected to exercise the discretion:

In this case, the complexity of the deceased's estate and the lack of co-operation from the other executor delayed the disposal of the property.

Having considered the particular circumstances of this case, the Commissioner will apply his discretion under subsection 118-195(1) of the ITAA 1997 and allow an extension to the two year time limit.

Question 2

A full main residence exemption can only apply if the dwelling is on land of 2 hectares or less. However, a partial exemption is available in circumstances where the land is more than 2 hectares.

In this case as the property was more than 2 hectares, a partial main residence exemption is available. Therefore, only a portion of the capital gain can be disregarded.


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