Disclaimer
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 private advice

Authorisation Number: 1052254745250

Date of advice: 4 June 2024

Ruling

Subject: Research and development entity and tax offset eligibility

Question 1

Are the R&D activities conducted for the entity in accordance with paragraph 355-210(1)(a) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) and subsequently is the entity entitled to the R&D tax offset outlined in section 355-100 of the ITAA 1997?

Answer

Yes.

The entity is an R&D entity as defined in paragraph 355-35(1)(a) of the ITAA 1997.

The entity is conducting registered R&D activities for itself as the R&D entity solely within Australia. The registered R&D activities are solely conducted by the entity.

As the entity is an R&D entity that can deduct amounts for the income year under any or all of the following provisions of the ITAA 1997, section 355-205 (R&D expenditure), section 355-305 (decline in value of R&D assets), section 355-480 (earlier year associate R&D expenditure), section 355-520 (decline in value of R&D partnership assets), section 355-580 (CRC contributions), and as such they are entitled to the R&D tax offset outlined in section 355-100 of the ITAA 1997.

This ruling applies for the following period:

Year ended 30 June 20YY

The scheme commenced on:

1 July 20YY

Relevant facts and circumstances

The entity is a duly registered Australian Company.

The entity has lodged the required R&D tax incentive application with AusIndustry.

The entity has registered the words relevant to their trademark and associated images with IP Australia.

The objectives of the project are outlined in the AusIndustry application.

The entity has estimated expenditure for the core R&D activity.

The following eligible R&D expenditure would be included as a notional deduction:

•         Salary & Wages

•         Contractor Expenses

•         Associate Payments

•         Overhead Expenses

•         Feedstock Input

In addition to the R&D activities, the entity separately operates a retail outlet under a franchise agreement.

A solicitor's letter from the solicitors acting for the franchisor confirms that all intellectual property related the entity's R&D activities are solely owned by the entity and not the franchisor.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 paragraph 355-35(1)(a)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 355-100

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 355-205

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 paragraph 355-210(1)(a)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 355-305

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 355-480 section 355-520

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 355-580


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).