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Edited version of private advice

Authorisation Number: 1051784490356

Date of advice: 30 November 2020

Ruling

Subject: Undeducted purchase price of a foreign pension or annuity

Question

Are you entitled to a UPP deductible amount in respect of your foreign pension?

Answer

Yes. The deductible amount has been calculated in accordance subsection 27H(2) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936

Reasons for Decision

The part of your annual pension or annuity income which represents a return to you of your personal contributions is free from tax. The tax-free portion is called the UPP deductible amount.

It is calculated by dividing the UPP of your pension by either the term of the pension (if fixed), or a life expectancy factor - that applies to you or your spouse if they have a greater life expectancy - according to life expectancy statistics.

The Australian life tables are published by the Australian Government Actuary, and the life expectancy is taken from when the pension first became payable.

The annual UPP deductible amount is calculated using the following formula

 

A (B - C)

D

 

A = relevant share of the pension payable to you

(if all the pension is payable to you then A = 1)

B = is the amount of the UPP of the pension

C = is the residual capital value (if any)

D = is the relevant number.

Your UPP deductible amount in respect of your foreign pension has been calculated using this formula.

This ruling applies for the following periods:

Year ended 30 June 2017

Year ended 30 June 2018

Year ended 30 June 2019

The scheme commences on:

1 September 20XX

Relevant facts and circumstances

This ruling is based on the facts stated below. Any material variation from these facts (including any matters not stated in the description above and any departure from these facts) will mean that the ruling will have no effect. Where there is no variation, the ruling can apply for more than just the periods mentioned above.

•         You are a resident of Australia for income tax purposes

•         Your pension is paid by the Swiss Compensation Office, a scheme maintained in Switzerland

•         You have provided a copy of a letter from the fund to assist the Commissioner in determining the amount of your personal contributions

•         You currently receive 100% of the pension

•         The residual capital value of the pension is nil

•         Your pension is paid on a monthly basis.

Assumptions

No assumptions have been used in this ruling as it is given on the basis of the facts and circumstances stated above.

Relevant legislative provisions

We took these laws into account:

Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 Subsection 27A(1)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 Section 27H

Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 Subsection 27H(2)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 Subsection 27H(4)

Income Tax Regulations 1936 Regulation 9

Other references:

Taxation Determination TD 2006/17

Taxation Determination TD 2006/54

Taxation Determination TD 2006/72

Important information to note

For the 2004-05 and later income years, income tax returns may be amended within two years from the date upon which the Commissioner gives notice of assessment. However, where assessments fall outside this period, you will need to lodge an objection and request an extension of time to lodge the objection.

The UPP deductible amount can only be included in your tax return if you have declared your pension income. When including these amounts, they should be translated to Australian currency using the same exchange rate. More information about exchange rates is available from our website by entering 'QC 16583' in the search box on the top right of the page.


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