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This edited version has been archived due to the length of time since original publication.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: 1051247777443

Date of advice: 7 July 2017

Ruling

Subject: Non-resident and shares

This ruling applies to:

Question and answer

This ruling applies for the following periods:

Year ended 30 June 2017

Year ending 30 June 2018

Year ending 30 June 2019

Year ending 30 June 2020

Year ending 30 June 2021

The scheme commenced on:

1 July 2016

Relevant facts and circumstances

You are a non-resident of Australia for taxation and immigration purposes.

You have purchased shares in an Australian public listed company.

You and your associates do not hold more than 10% of the shares in the publically listed company.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 855

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 855-10

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 855-15

Reasons for decision

Section 855-10 of the ITAA 1997 states that you disregard a capital gain or capital loss from a CGT event if:

Five categories of CGT assets that are taxable Australian property are set out in the table in section 855-15 of the ITAA 1997:

Section 855-20 of the ITAA 1997 states that a CGT asset is taxable Australian real property if it is:

Shares in a resident company do not satisfy the definition of taxable Australian real property as they are neither real property (within the ordinary meaning of that term) nor a mining, quarrying or prospecting right.

Indirect Australian property interest

An indirect Australian property interest (section 855-25 of the ITAA 1997) will only exist where a foreign resident has membership interest in an entity and that entity passes two tests:

As set out in section 960-195 of the ITAA 1997, a membership interest held by an entity (the holding entity) in another entity (the test entity) passes the non-portfolio test if the sum of the direct participation interests held by the holding entity and its associates in the test entity is 10 per cent or more.

You and your associates do not own more than 10% of the shares in the public companies.

Therefore there is no CGT payable on any gain arising from the shares when they are disposed of and no losses can be carried forward.

Franked dividends

As a non-resident of Australia for taxation purposes the franked amount of dividends that are paid or credited to you are exempt from income and withholding taxes.

You are not entitled to any offset for franked dividends

You cannot use any franking credit attached to franked dividends to reduce the amount of tax payable on other Australian income and you cannot get a refund of the franking credit.

You should not include the amount of any franked dividend or franking credit on your Australian tax return.


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