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Class Ruling

CR 2022/39

EFM Corporate Pty Ltd - health and fitness equipment services

  • Please note that the PDF version is the authorised version of this ruling.

Table of Contents Paragraph
What this Ruling is about
Who this Ruling applies to
When this Ruling applies
Ruling
6
Scheme
10
Appendix - Explanation
29

  Relying on this Ruling

This publication (excluding appendix) is a public ruling for the purposes of the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

If this Ruling applies to you, and you correctly rely on it, we will apply the law to you in the way set out in this Ruling. That is, you will not pay any more tax or penalties or interest in respect of the matters covered by this Ruling.

What this Ruling is about

1. This Ruling sets out the fringe benefit tax consequences for employers who engage the services of EFM Corporate Pty Ltd (EFM) to provide health and fitness equipment to their employees.

2. Full details of this scheme are set out in paragraphs 10 to 28 of this Ruling.

3. All legislative references in this Ruling are to the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 (FBTAA), unless otherwise indicated.

Who this Ruling applies to

4. This Ruling applies to you if you are an employer who engages EFM for the supply of health and fitness equipment to be used by your employees.

When this Ruling applies

5. This Ruling applies from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2028.

Ruling

6. For corporate employers, being employees who are not entitled to the exemption under section 57A or the rebate under section 65J, the provision of health and fitness services under an arrangement with EFM will be a residual benefit and an exempt benefit under subsection 47(2).

7. For other employers, so long as the provision of health and fitness services under an arrangement with EFM does not meet the definition of a tax exempt body entertainment benefit under section 38, it will be a residual benefit and an exempt benefit under subsection 47(2).

8. Where the employer is entitled to the exemption under section 57A and the benefit provided is a tax exempt body entertainment benefit under section 38, the expenditure comprising of the payment of the Management Fee is wholly or partly attributable to entertainment facility leasing expenses, and is excluded from the aggregate non-exempt amount under subsections 5B(1E) to (1L).

9. Where the employer is eligible for the FBT rebate under section 65J and the benefit provided is a tax exempt body entertainment benefit under section 38, the expenditure comprising of the payment of the Management Fee is wholly or partly attributable to entertainment facility leasing expenses and is excluded from the aggregate non-rebatable amount under subsections 65J(2E) and (2F).

Scheme

10. The following description of the scheme is based on information provided by the applicant. If the scheme is not carried out as described, this Ruling cannot be relied upon.

11. EFM is a provider of health and fitness services.

12. As part of its business, EFM offers its fitness equipment and services (each being a Client Facility) to schools, hospitals and corporate entities in their capacity as employers.

13. Each Client Facility is located on the premises from which that employer operates its business.

14. Such premises are business premises (within the meaning of subsection 136(1)).

15. The Client Facility is permanently set up within a designated area which is generally not moved.

16. Each employer enters into a Service Agreement with EFM.

17. Under each Service Agreement, the following standard definitions apply:

•
Commencement Date means the date on which the Service Agreement becomes effective.
•
Fitness Equipment means the equipment provided by EFM.
•
Franchisee means the person (from time to time) acting as franchisee in respect of the Health and Fitness Club, pursuant to a franchise agreement made by EFM as franchisor.
•
Health and Fitness Club means the area located within the employer's premises.
•
Health and Fitness Program means the range of equipment and services provided by EFM at the Health and Fitness Club.
•
Hours of Operation means the range of times that supervised fitness programs with a Trainer in attendance, are provided by EFM at the Health and Fitness Club. Such hours may be varied from time to time as agreed between the employer and EFM.
•
Membership means the membership status of Staff who are participating in a Health and Fitness Program with unlimited access during the hours of operation.
•
Patient means a person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment at the Employer's hospital facility.
•
Services means the conduct of the Health and Fitness Program at the Health and Fitness Club.
•
Staff means all employees on the employer's payroll.
•
Term means the period from the Commencement Date until the Service Agreement is terminated.
•
Trainer means a person employed or engaged by EFM or the Franchisee who is an approved and qualified fitness instructor.
•
Trainee means any Staff who are participating in the Health and Fitness Program (all Trainees have unlimited access during the Hours of Operation while a Trainer is in attendance).

18. In addition to the definitions in paragraph 17 of the Ruling, the following standard definition applies to facilities that operate some unsupervised hours:

•
Supervised Hours of Operation means the range of times that supervised fitness programs with a Trainer (as defined in paragraph 17 of this Ruling) in attendance, are provided by EFM at the Health and Fitness Club. Such hours may be varied from time to time as agreed between the employer and EFM. In addition to these times, the Health and Fitness Club will be open at all other hours of the day (that is, 24 hours a day) for Staff to exercise without a Trainer in attendance provided the Trainee has completed five supervised fitness programs with a Trainer.

19. Under All Service Agreements:

•
EFM agrees to procure the Franchisee to manage the provision of the Health and Fitness Program located at the Health and Fitness Club on the premises of the employer, including providing instruction on the correct use of the Fitness Equipment.
•
EFM shall procure the Franchisee to provide an average Trainer supervision ratio of 1:20 during the Hours of Operation to provide instruction on the correct use of the Fitness Equipment.
•
Trainers will have a police check (South Australia and Tasmania), or hold current Queensland Blue Cards (Queensland), or have a working with children check (New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia), and maintain qualifications as recognised by Fitness Australia and hold current Advanced First Aid and CPR accreditation. During the Term EFM shall procure the Franchisee to maintain in full force and effect all relevant workers' compensation policies in respect of all of its employees and deemed workers in accordance with relevant statutory requirements. EFM will purchase all Fitness Equipment. EFM will retain ownership at its own risk of all existing and new Fitness Equipment and will be responsible for the insurance, general wear and tear maintenance, and replacement of the Fitness Equipment. EFM shall procure the Franchisee to ensure the Fitness Equipment is kept in a clean and tidy manner.
•
EFM will be responsible for the replacement of any Fitness Equipment that goes missing during the Hours of Operation, or while a Trainer is present at the Health and Fitness Club.
•
The employer will be responsible for the replacement of any Fitness Equipment that goes missing when the employer does not lock the Health and Fitness Club after use.
•
Each employer engages EFM to manage that Client Facility, including the provision of services to that employer's employees for a monthly Management Fee payable by the employer to EFM. The services include EFM providing instruction and supervision of the employer's employees on the correct use of the Fitness Equipment within the Client Facility.
•
Each employer agrees to pay EFM for its services by way of a Management Fee which is charged based on the number of that employer's employees who use the services. There is no minimum number of Staff required to participate in the Health and Fitness Program.
•
The Management Fee is charged by EFM to provide a Client Facility. No part of the Management Fee relates to the public's use of the Client Facility.
•
The employer agrees to allow residents within the employers local community (Other Users) access to the Health and Fitness Club during the Hours of Operation.
•
EFM is paid directly by the public for the public's use of the Client Facility. These fees are usually paid by direct debit or via credit card. The employer is not paid directly by the public for the use of the Client Facility.
•
The Management Fee is a single, ongoing, unapportioned fee which covers the provision of the Health and Fitness Program, the provision of supervision and the use of the Fitness Equipment. The Management Fee represents a market value fee which would be charged for those services.
•
Trainees will fill in a pre-exercise questionnaire form including relevant medical information and, if required by EFM, undergo a medical check with their General Practitioner. The cost of any medical check will be borne by each individual Trainee.
•
Trainees will only have access to the Fitness Equipment during the Hours of Operation and while there is a Trainer in attendance (with the exception of some Service Agreements which specifically allow unsupervised Hours of Operation).
•
The employer will assist with administration, general support, communication and distribution of material associated with the Health and Fitness Program from time to time, as is reasonable and mutually agreed between the employer and EFM.
•
The employer is responsible for the provision of the Health and Fitness Club as well as change rooms, toilet and shower facilities. However, if EFM requires refurbishment of the Health and Fitness Club, the cost of any such refurbishment will be borne by EFM. The employer will also be responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the Health and Fitness Club.
•
The employer grants EFM access to the Health and Fitness Club for the purpose of providing a Health and Fitness Program, only during the Hours of Operation and subject to the terms and conditions specified in the Agreement. This is does not create any proprietary interest or estate in the Health and Fitness Club for EFM.
•
The Employer will be responsible for the provision of a work station in the Health and Fitness Club including a desk, chair, filing cabinet, storage cabinet, networked computer and associated software, networked printer, phone line, email and internet.
•
The Employer may renew the Service Agreement for a further period of up to five years, provided 5% of all full-time equivalent Staff working with the Employer have been Trainees at some point during the Term of this Agreement. It may also be renewed at a participation rate lower than this with mutual consent.
•
EFM will meet with representatives of the Employer from time to time as mutually agreed between the Employer and EFM to discuss any issues that relate to the Health and Fitness Program. A report will be provided at the meeting by EFM including monthly attendance.

20. In relation to agreements specifically only to schools, the following additional clauses could also be present:

•
EFM agrees to allow students access to the Fitness Equipment at times outside the Hours of Operation for the purpose of the Students physical education curriculum when supervised by a staff member who is qualified in terms of exercise prescription. The College and staff member will be responsible for the students actions, and for maintaining the Fitness Equipment in a clean and tidy manner. EFM will not be held liable for any claims, insurance or injury costs associated with the Students that occurs outside the Hours of Operation, and the costs associated with such claims.
•
The College will be responsible for any loss or damage to Fitness Equipment and general property, above and beyond normal wear and tear, when being used by Students.

21. In relation to agreements specifically only to hospitals, the following additional clauses could also be present:

•
EFM agrees to allow Patients access to the Fitness Equipment at times outside the Hours of Operation for the purpose of the Patients physical rehabilitation programs when supervised by a Staff member who is qualified in terms of exercise physiology and/or physical rehabilitation. The Employer and staff member will be responsible for the Patients actions, and for maintaining the Health and Fitness Club and Fitness Equipment in a clean and tidy manner. EFM will not be held liable for any claims, insurance or injury costs associated with the Patients that occur outside the Hours of Operation, and the costs associated with such claims.
•
The Employer will be responsible for any loss or damage to Fitness Equipment and general property, above and beyond normal wear and tear, when being used by Patients.

22. Employers often look to recoup the cost of the Management Fee by deducting it from its employees' salaries and wages. For the purposes of this Ruling, such deductions occur under an effective salary sacrifice arrangement as described in Taxation Ruling TR 2001/10 lncome tax: fringe benefits tax and superannuation guarantee: salary sacrifice arrangements.

23. There is no legal relationship between EFM and each employer's employees.

24. EFM does not have any relationship with the employers other than the arm's length commercial arrangement under the Service Agreement.

25. Each employer procures EFM to provide instruction and supervision on the correct use of the Client Facility to the employer's employees and the provision of access to the Client Facility. Such benefits apply only to that employer's employees and not to former employees, future employees or any relative of an employee.

26. Some employers are an exempt entity within the meaning of section 50-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997).

27. Other employers are subject to the exemption under section 57A.

28. Other employers are a rebatable employer under section 65J.

Commissioner of Taxation
20 April 2022

Appendix - Explanation

This Explanation is provided as information to help you understand how the Commissioner's view has been reached. It does not form part of the binding public ruling.
Table of Contents Paragraph
Fringe benefit 29
Corporate employers 30
Recreational facility - residual benefit exemption 33
Has there been the provision or use of a recreational facility that is supplied to a current employee? 35
Conclusion on residual benefit exemption for corporate employers 54
Other employers 55
Does an exemption arise under subsection 47(2) for the provision of a recreational facility? 71
Is the expenditure wholly or partly attributable to entertainment facility leasing expenses? 127

Fringe benefit

29. The payment by the employer of the Management Fee, including under a valid salary sacrifice arrangement, in return for the employees' use of the gym equipment and participation in the Health and Fitness Program will give rise to a 'benefit' as defined in subsection 136(1).

Corporate employers

30. For corporate employers, being employers who are not eligible for the section 57A exemption, employers who are not eligible for the section 65J rebate or non-profit employers, the benefit will be a fringe benefit where it meets the definition of 'fringe benefit' as defined in subsection 136(1).

31. The definition of fringe benefit in subsection 136(1) excludes at paragraph (g) a benefit that is an exempt benefit in relation to the year of tax.

32. For the purposes of this Ruling, the relevant exemption is the exemption provided under subsection 47(2) for a residual benefit that consists of the use of a recreational facility located on business premises of the employer.

Recreational facility - residual benefit exemption

33. Subsection 47(2) provides an exemption in respect of the provision of various types of residual benefits. Subsection 47(2) states (as relevant here):

Where:
(a) a residual benefit provided to a current employee in respect of his or her employment consists of:

(i)
the provision, or use, of a recreational facility; or

... and
(b) the recreational facility ... is located on business premises of:

(i)
the employer; or
(ii)
if the employer is a company, of the employer or of a company that is related to the employer;

the benefit is an exempt benefit.

34. Therefore, the provision of a benefit is exempt under subsection 47(2) where all of the following conditions are met:

•
there has been the provision or use of a recreational facility that has been supplied to a current employee
•
the provision and use of the recreational facility constitutes a residual benefit
•
the residual benefit is provided in respect of the current employee's employment
•
the recreational facility is located on the business premises of the employer.

Has there been the provision or use of a recreational facility that is supplied to a current employee?

35. The term 'recreational facility' is defined in subsection 136(1) to mean a facility for recreation (but does not include a facility for accommodation or a facility for drinking or dining).

Facility

36. The term 'facility' is not defined in the FBTAA and it therefore takes its ordinary meaning.

37. ATO Interpretive Decision ATO lD 2009/141 Fringe Benefits Tax: Entertainment facility leasing expenses: hire of a marquee provides the following information in relation to the definition of 'facility':

The word 'facility' is defined in the Macquarie Dictionary (Multimedia version 5.0.0) to mean:
facility
noun (plural facilities)
1. something that makes possible the easier performance of any action; advantage: transport facilities; to afford someone every facility for doing something.
9. a building or complex of buildings, designed for a specific purpose, as for the holding of sporting contests.
The word 'facility' is also defined in the Butterworths Encyclopaedic Australian Legal Dictionary, (On line Edition), LexisNexis Australia:
Facility
A building or appliance, designed for a specific purpose, which has the effect of making possible the easier performance of an action.
The word facility, as described in each dictionary definition above, and as used in the income tax and fringe benefits tax definitions above is of wide meaning.

38. ATO lD 2009/141 also states that:

Whilst the term 'facility' is not defined in the FBTAA, it is used in conjunction with other definitions such as:

•
'child care facility' in subsection 136(1) of the FBTAA means 'a facility....for the purpose of minding, caring for or educating....'
•
'in-house health care facility' in subsection 136(1) of the FBTAA means '....a clinic, surgery, first-aid station or similar facility....on premises of the employer....'

Similarly, the term 'facility' is used in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) including instances where a facility is used for recreation purposes.

•
A 'facility' used for recreation on the employer's property and operated for employees is described in section 32-30 ltem 1.5 of the ITAA 1997. A facility used for recreation in section 32-30 would include a drink vending machine.
•
A 'leisure facility' as defined in subsection 26-50(2) of the ITAA 1997 is 'land, a building, or part of a building or other structure, that is used (or held for use) for holidays or recreation. Examples of buildings or other structures which fall within the definition of 'leisure facility 'would be ski-lodges, fishing shacks, holiday cottages, swimming pools and amenity buildings used in connection with tennis, bowling, golfing or swimming.

39. As indicated in paragraph 36 of this Ruling, section 32-30 of the ITAA 1997 identifies that a facility includes a drink vending machine.

40. Under the Service Agreement, the employee participates in the Health and Fitness Program at a gym which is set up in a designated area and has access to use gym equipment which is supervised by a trainer. Similar to a drink vending machine being an appliance that is designed for a specific purpose that makes obtaining a drink easier and therefore a 'facility', the gym is something designed for a specific purpose that makes enabling a person to improve fitness easier and is therefore also a 'facility'.

Recreation

41. The term 'recreation' is also defined in subsection 136(1) as follows:

recreation includes:
(a) amusement;
(b) sport or similar leisure-time pursuits; and
(c) recreation or amusement provided on, or by means of, a vehicle, ship, vessel or aircraft.

42. As the definition of the term 'recreation' in subsection 136(1) is 'inclusive' the ordinary meaning of the term is also relevant. In that respect the Macquarie Dictionary states in relation to the term 'recreation'[1]:

... 1. refreshment by means of some pastime, agreeable exercise, or the like.
2. a pastime, diversion, exercise, or other resource affording relaxation and enjoyment.

43. It is considered that the activities available at the Client Facility meet the wider definition of 'recreation' and therefore meets the definition of a 'recreational facility' that is available for use by current employees.

44. On that basis, this requirement is met as there has been the provision or use of a recreational facility that is supplied to a current employee.

Does the provision or use of the recreational facility constitute a residual benefit?

45. Section 45 provides that a benefit will be a residual benefit if it is not a benefit by virtue of a provision of Subdivision A of Divisions 2 to 11 (inclusive).

46. Under each Service Agreement, the employer is liable to pay EFM a Management Fee based on the number of employees participating in the Health and Fitness Program. Also under each Service Agreement, the employee does not incur a liability for use of the Client Facility or participation in the Health and Fitness Program.

47. The benefit provided by corporate employers, therefore, does not fall within any of the provisions of Subdivision A of Division 2 to 11 and as such is a residual benefit per section 45.

Is the residual benefit provided in respect of a current employee's employment?

48. The expression 'in respect of' is defined in subsection 136(1) in relation to the employment of an employee:

... includes by reason of, by virtue of, or for in relation directly or indirectly to, that employment.

49. The Management Fee is calculated based on the number of current employees that use the Client Facility.

50. Therefore, the residual benefit is provided in respect of the current employee's employment and this condition is met.

Is the recreational facility located on the business premises of the employer?

51. Business premises is defined in subsection 136(1) to mean:

... premises, or a part of premises, of the person used, in whole or in part, for the purposes of business operations of the person, but does not include:
(a) premises, or a part of premises, used as a place of residence of an employee of the person or an employee of an associate of the person; or
(b) a corporate box; or
(c) boats or planes used primarily for the purpose of providing entertainment unless the boat or plane is used in the person's business of providing entertainment; or
(d) other premises used primarily for the purposes of providing entertainment unless the premises are used in the person's business of providing entertainment.

52. Taxation Ruling TR 2000/4 Fringe benefits tax: meaning of 'business premises' provides the following explanation of what needs to be considered in relation to whether premises are business premises:

11. Given that each case turns on its own facts, there is no absolute or conclusive test of whether particular premises are 'business premises' of a person. However, in order to determine whether premises are 'business premises', i.e., they satisfy the respective requirements of 'premises of the person (the employer)' and 'used ... for the purposes of business operations of the person (the employer)', an objective analysis of all the circumstances is necessary.
12. In making this analysis, an employer should carefully weigh all relevant matters, including the following factors that are especially relevant to determining whether each of the two requirements has been met:

(a)
the control the employer has over the premises; and
(b)
the consistency of an employer's actions and activities on the premises with those normal business practices.

Importantly, each factor should be considered in relation to each of the two requirements. Further, the factors must be considered in combination and as whole, together with all relevant matters.
13. Having regard to the above, where a person is carrying on 'business operations' on premises, the premises are their 'business premises' where in form and substance the person bears the rights and risks of possession of the premises associated with the conduct of the 'business operations'.

53. The Applicant has advised that under the Scheme, each Client Facility is located on the premises from which that employer operates its business and that such premises are business premises within the meaning of subsection 136(1) and, as a result, this requirement is met.

Conclusion on residual benefit exemption for corporate employers

54. As all the requirements of subsection 47(2) are met, the residual benefit provided by corporate employers is an exempt benefit.

Other employers

55. Section 57A states that a benefit provided in respect of employment of an employee by an employer that is a registered public benevolent institution, a registered health promotion charity, a public or not-for-profit hospital, or a public ambulance service, is an exempt benefit.

56. The benefit is provided because the employee works for the relevant employer. It is therefore provided in respect of the employment of the employee.

57. Therefore, where the employer is one of the entity types listed in paragraph 54 of this Ruling, the benefit will be an exempt benefit under section 57A.

58. Although the benefit is an exempt benefit, it may still be included in the calculation of the employer's aggregate non-exempt amount. In general terms, a public benevolent institution or health promotion charity will not be liable to pay fringe benefits tax unless a particular employee receives benefits with a value in excess of the amount specified in Step 2 of the method statement in subsection 5B(1E).

59. The method for calculating the employer's aggregate non-exempt amount is set out in subsections 5B(1E) to (1L).

60. The exemptions that are available to all employers, such as the exemption under section 47(2), are not included in the employer's aggregate non-exempt amount.

61. The method for calculating the employer's aggregate non-exempt amount is set out in subsections 5B(1E) to (1L).

62. In general terms, these provisions provide that the value of a benefit will be included in the calculation of the aggregate non-exempt amount unless:

•
the benefit is a benefit that constitutes the provision of meal entertainment
•
the benefit is a car parking benefit, or
•
the taxable value of the benefit is wholly or partly attributable to entertainment facility leasing expenses.

63. Similarly, section 65J provides that certain employers (rebatable employers) are entitled to a rebate equal to a percentage of the gross FBT payable, subject to a capping threshold.

64. The calculation of the employer's FBT rebate under subsection 65J(2A) involves calculating the employer's aggregate non-rebatable amount following the method statement in subsection 65J(2B).

65. In working out an employer's aggregate non-rebatable amount, the employee's type 1 and type 2 individual base non-rebatable amounts must be worked out under subsections 65J(2E) and (2F) respectively.

66. In calculating the employee's type 1 and type 2 individual base non-rebatable amounts, certain benefits are disregarded under subsection 65J(2H).

67. The benefits that are disregarded under subsection 65J(2H) include benefits whose taxable value is wholly or partly attributable to entertainment facility leasing expenses.

68. The exemptions that are available to all employers, such as the exemption under section 47(2), are not included in the employer's aggregate non-rebatable amount.

69. For the purposes of this Ruling, then, the relevant exceptions are:

•
where the exemption provided under subsection 47(2) for a residual benefit that consists of the use of a recreational facility located on business premises of the employer, or
•
those that apply to benefits that are wholly or partly attributable to entertainment facility leasing expenses.

70. If either of these exceptions apply to the benefit arising from the payment of the Management Fee for the employee's access to the Health and Fitness Club, or use of the equipment or participation in the Health and Fitness Program, the benefit will not be included in the calculation of the aggregate non-exempt nor non-rebatable amount.

Does an exemption arise under subsection 47(2) for the provision of a recreational facility?

71. As per paragraph 32 of this Ruling, there are four requirements that must be met for the exemption under subsection 47(2) to apply:

•
there has been the provision or use of a recreational facility that has been supplied to a current employee
•
the provision or use of the recreational facility constitutes a residual benefit
•
the residual benefit is provided in respect of the current employee's employment
•
the recreational facility is located on the business premises of the employer.

Has there been the provision or use of a recreational facility that is supplied to a current employee?

72. As explained in paragraphs 36 to 44 of this Ruling, this requirement is met.

Does the provision or use of the recreational facility constitute a residual benefit?

73. Section 45 provides that a benefit will be a residual benefit if it is not a benefit by virtue of the provision of Subdivision A of Divisions 2 to 11 (inclusive). For the purpose of this Ruling, the relevant Division is Division 10 which applies to tax-exempt body entertainment benefits. However, if the benefit is a tax-exempt body entertainment benefit, it will not be a residual benefit.

Is the benefit a tax-exempt body entertainment benefit?

74. Section 38 sets out the circumstances in which a tax-exempt body entertainment benefit will arise. It states:

Where, at a particular time, a person (in this section referred to as the provider) incurs non-deductible exempt entertainment expenditure that is wholly or partly in respect of the provision, in respect of the employment of an employee, of entertainment to a person (in this section referred to as the recipient) being the employee or an associate of the employee, the incurring of the expenditure shall be taken to constitute a benefit provided by the provider to the recipient at that time in respect of that employment.

75. Section 38 contains the following three requirements:

•
a person (the provider) incurs non-deductible exempt entertainment expenditure
•
that expenditure is wholly or partly in respect of the provision of entertainment to an employee or an associate of the employee, and
•
the provision of entertainment is in respect of the employment of the employee to whom, or to whose associate, the entertainment is provided.

76. Therefore, for a tax-exempt body entertainment benefit to arise from the use of the gym facility by an employee, the employer must incur expenditure. Further, the expenditure must be in respect of the provision of entertainment with the benefit arising at the time the expenditure is incurred.

77. Entertainment for the purposes of the FBTAA is defined as 'entertainment by way of food, drink or recreation' and recreation in turn is defined to include 'amusement, sport or similar leisure-time pursuits.' It is agreed that for FBTAA purposes the provision of the use of a gym facility is the provision of entertainment.

78. Expenditure incurred in payment of the Management Fee for the employees' use of a gym, including under an effective salary sacrifice arrangement, is expenditure in respect of the provision of entertainment to an employee.

79. In order to satisfy the requirements of section 38, it is necessary to consider whether such expenditure is 'non-deductible exempt entertainment expenditure'. If the expenditure is considered to be non-deductible entertainment expenditure, it will be a tax-exempt body entertainment benefit and the exemption in subsection 47(2) will not apply to the benefit.

Has the provider incurred non-deductible exempt entertainment expenditure

80. Subsection 136(1) defines 'non-deductible exempt entertainment expenditure' to mean:

non-deductible entertainment expenditure to the extent to which it is not incurred in producing assessable income.

81. As the employer is a not-for-profit entity, any expenditure incurred will not be incurred in producing assessable income. Therefore, the issue to be determined is whether the relevant Management Fee is non-deductible entertainment expenditure.

What is non-deductible entertainment expenditure?

82. The term 'non-deductible entertainment expenditure' is defined in subsection 136(1), as relevant here, to mean:

[an]...outgoing to the extent to which:
(a) section 32-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 applies to it, or would apply if it were incurred in producing assessable income; and
(b) apart from that section, it would be deductible under section 8-1 of that Act, or would be if it were incurred in producing assessable income;
(on the assumption that section 32-20 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 had not been enacted).

83. Section 32-5 of the ITAA 1997 prevents an income tax deduction being claimed for a loss or outgoing incurred in providing entertainment under section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997 unless the expenditure comes within one of the exceptions contained in sections 32-20 to 32-50 of the ITAA 1997.

84. Therefore, a fundamental requirement that must be satisfied for the expenditure to be a tax-exempt body entertainment benefit is for the expenditure to come within section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997.

Is that expenditure deductible under section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997?

85. Section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997 states:

(1) You can deduct from your assessable income any loss or outgoing to the extent that:

(a)
it is incurred in gaining or producing your assessable income; or
(b)
it is necessarily incurred in carrying on a *business for the purpose of gaining or producing your assessable income.
Note: Division 35 prevents losses from non-commercial business activities that may contribute to a tax loss being offset against other assessable income.

(2) However, you cannot deduct a loss or outgoing under this section to the extent that:

(a)
it is a loss or outgoing of capital, or of a capital nature; or
(b)
it is a loss or outgoing of a private or domestic nature; or
(c)
it is incurred in relation to gaining or producing your *exempt income or your *non-assessable non-exempt income; or
(d)
a provision of this Act prevents you from deducting it.
For a summary list of provisions about deductions, see section 12-5.

86. Therefore, a tax-exempt body entertainment benefit will not arise in relation to expenditure that is a loss or outgoing of capital, or of a capital nature.

87. In the case of expenditure on the Management Fee, it would be deductible as a business expense. It is therefore necessary to consider the exceptions contained in section 32-50 of the ITAA 1997.

Do the exceptions contained in sections 32-20 to 32-50 of the ITAA 1997 apply?

88. Section 32-20 of the ITAA 1997 is the main exception to the operation of section 32-5 of the ITAA 1997. Section 32-20 of the ITAA 1997 states that:

Section 32-5 does not stop you deducting a loss or outgoing to the extent that you incur it in respect of providing entertainment by way of providing a fringe benefit.

89. However, the definition of 'non-deductible entertainment expenditure', in subsection 136(1), proceeds on the assumption that section 32-20 of the ITAA 1997 had not been enlivened. Consequently, section 32-20 of the ITAA 1997 has no further application.

90. It is also considered that sections 32-35, 32-45 and 32-50 of the ITAA 1997 would not apply in relation to this Scheme meaning that only sections 32-30 and 32-40 of the ITAA 1997 could be applicable.

91. The following two exceptions are relevant in these circumstances:

•
table item 1.5 of section 32-30 of the ITAA 1997, and
•
table item 3.1 of section 32-40 of the ITAA 1997.

Does table item 1.5 of section 32-30 of the ITAA 1997 apply?

92. Table item 1.5 of section 32-30 of the ITAA 1997 states:

Table item Section 32-5 does not stop you deducting a loss or outgoing for ... But the exception does not apply if ...
1.5 providing a facility for recreation on property you occupy, if the facility is mainly operated for your employees to use. the facility is for:

(a)
accommodation; or
(b)
dining or drinking (unless it is a food or drink vending machine).

93. Table item 1.5 of section 32-30 of the ITAA 1997 concerns an employer-occupied facility for recreation that is mainly operated for the use of the employer's employees (and the facility is not used for accommodation or for dining or drinking, unless from a vending machine).

94. How the facility is used must also be taken into account.

95. Each employer will need to determine whether this requirement is met.

Instances where this requirement is met

96. This would include circumstances where a gym is only established on the employer's premises for the employer's employees to use. In such instances, table item 1.5 of section 32-30 of the ITAA 1997 would apply to make the entertainment expenses deductible as there would be little chance of non-employees being able to use the facility.

97. Where this requirement is met, the provision of the Client Facility will not be a tax exempt body entertainment benefit, but rather is a residual benefit as explained in paragraph 72 of this Ruling. Should that be the case, the other requirements of subsection 47(2) must also be considered.

98. As the provision of the Client Facility is in respect of the employee's employment as explained in paragraphs 48 to 50 of this Ruling, and the recreational facility is also located on the business premises, as explained in paragraphs 51 to 53 of this Ruling, the exemption under subsection 47(2) will apply.

Instances where this requirement is not met

99. There may be circumstances, however, where this requirement is not met. For example, a:

•
hospital that may have a gym facility on its premises as part of their patients' rehabilitation program
•
school that may ordinarily have a gym on its premises so that students of the school can use the facilities as part of their physical education curriculum.

100. In both of these instances, any use of the gym by employees would be incidental to its use by patients of the hospital or students of the school. Therefore, table item 1.5 of section 32-30 of the ITAA 1997 does not apply in this case to make the entertainment expenses deductible and section 32-40 of the ITAA 1997 will need to be considered where section 32-30 of the ITAA 1997 does not apply.

Does table item 3.1 of section 32-40 of the ITAA 1997 apply?

101. Table item 3.1 of section 32-40 of the ITAA 1997 states:

Table item Section 32-5 does not stop you deducting a loss or outgoing for ... But the exception does not apply if ...
3.1 providing entertainment for payment in the ordinary course of a business that you carry on.

102. The intention of table item 3.1 of section 32-40 of the ITAA 1997 is to allow an entity that carries on a business of providing entertainment to claim a deduction for losses or outgoings incurred in providing that entertainment. Therefore, an outgoing only falls within table item 3.1 where it is in respect of providing entertainment for payment in the ordinary course of business carried on by the entity making the outgoing.

103. It is accepted that the employer may well incur various expenditures in operating the Client Facilities and where such operating expenditures would also be entertainment expenditures under section 32-5 of the ITAA 1997 then the exception afforded by table item 3.1 of section 32-40 of the ITAA 1997 may be satisfied. This would be on the basis that such operating expenses would be part of the ordinary course of business of the employer in providing entertainment for payment.

104. In this case though, the employer does not provide entertainment for payment. Under the Service Agreement, the employer does not receive any payment for providing entertainment.

105. Therefore, table item 3.1 of section 32-40 of the ITAA 1997 would not apply.

106. What is also under examination in relation to this Scheme is whether the employer's payments of the Management Fee, recouped via an effective salary sacrifice arrangement, are also part of the ordinary course of business of the employer in providing entertainment.

107. The phrase 'in the ordinary course of a business' is not defined in either the FBTAA or the ITAA 1997 and so must be interpreted according to its ordinary meaning and its legislative context.

108. The Client Facilities are 'business premises' of the employer and they are used for 'business operations' of the employer, as indicated in paragraph 13 of this Ruling.

109. Nonetheless, as explained in paragraph 9 of TR 2000/4, activities that are considered to form part of 'business operations' do not necessarily mean that such activities are also 'undertaken in the ordinary course of carrying on a business'.

110. TR 2000/4 also states:

42. Where a business exists, the term 'business operations' would include a wide range of activities undertaken by the person carrying on the business. Support for this view can be found in the judgment of Merkel J in Esso Australia Ltd v. FC of T 98 ATC 4953, at 4957; (1998) 40 ATR 76, at 80; 157 ALR 652, at 656.
43. As indicated in this Ruling, the provision of benefits to employees in the form of child care would be an important factor in recruiting, retaining and otherwise rewarding employees. Having regard to the views expressed above, activities undertaken in connection with the provision of those benefits (or indeed the provision of recreational, car parking or health care facilities) to employees would be 'business operations' of the employer who carried on the business or carried out the profit making undertaking. Thus, if that employer were to use its premises for operating a child care facility on the premises, that activity would be regarded as 'business operations'.
44. A consequence of this is that premises would be 'used ... for the purposes of business operations' where they are used exclusively for the operations of a child care facility. This was the express view of Merkel J in Esso Australia Ltd v. FC of T 98 ATC 4953 at 4957; (1998) 40 ATR 76 at 80; 157 ALR 652 at 656:
'Once it is accepted that the provision of benefits to employees in the form of child care at business premises of an employer is an important factor in recruiting, retaining and otherwise rewarding employees and, as such, is part of the business operations of the employer, it does not seem to be relevant whether the child care facilities are located at the premises where the employer carries out other business operations, or are located at premises of the employer which have been procured solely for the purpose of the provision of a child care facility thereon. Common sense would dictate that in many instances basic requirements for child care facilities may be such that it is inappropriate for the facilities to be located upon the same premises where other business operations of an employer are conducted.'

111. While it is accepted that the Health and Fitness Club is a factor in recruiting, retaining and otherwise rewarding the employer's employees, paragraph 41 of TR 2000/4 cannot be discounted where it states (emphasis added):

41. In the context of the definition of 'business premises' in subsection 136(1) we consider that the term 'business operations' has a broad meaning. In our view 'business operations' ought to be regarded as wider than 'carrying on a business' and would include both passive and active dealings, including isolated transactions of a person, without the need to establish that the person was carrying on a business, provided the dealings were undertaken for the purpose of profit making by way of a business operation or a commercial transaction.

112. Under the Service Agreement, the employer does not receive any payment for providing entertainment. All payments are received by EFM. Therefore, the dealings are not undertaken for the purpose of profit making by the employer.

113. As such, the exception provided by table item 3.1 of section 32-40 of the ITAA 1997, does not apply to make the entertainment expenses deductible and as none of the relevant exceptions applies in respect of the employer's employees' membership fees to the Client Facilities, it can be concluded that non-deductible entertainment expenditure is incurred.

114. As per paragraph 81 of this Ruling, the non-deductible entertainment expenditure is not incurred in producing assessable income.

115. Therefore, the expenditure is non-deductible exempt entertainment expenditure.

Is that expenditure wholly or partly in respect of provision of entertainment to an employee or an associate of the employee?

116. The expression 'in respect of' is not defined in the ITAA 1997 but in relation to the employment of an employee, that expression is defined in subsection 136(1), as:

... includes by reason of, by virtue of, or for or in relation directly or indirectly to, that employment.

117. Staff of employers who participate in the program have unlimited access to the health and fitness equipment during the relevant hours of operation while they remain members.

118. Therefore, payment by the employer in respect of the Management Fee is an outgoing that will have sufficient connection to the provision of entertainment to these employees provided that the relevant activities at the Client Facilities do constitute 'entertainment' for the purposes of the ITAA 1997.

119. As discussed in paragraph 76 of this Ruling, the provision of a gym facility constitutes entertainment.

120. The expenditure is therefore wholly or partly in respect of the provision of entertainment to an employee.

Is the provision of entertainment in respect of the employment of the employee to whom the entertainment is provided?

121. The definition of 'in respect of' for the purposes of the FBTAA is explained in paragraph 46 of this Ruling.

122. The meaning of the phrase 'in respect of the employment of the employee' was considered in the context of fringe benefits in the Federal Court case of J & G Knowles v Commissioner of Taxation [2000] FCA 196. It was held in this case that the words 'in respect of' required a sufficient or material, rather than a causal, connection or relationship between the two activities.

123. In this Scheme, the relevant expenditure is generally paid pursuant to salary sacrifice arrangements between the employer and the employer's employees. The expenditure is in respect of the employment of the employee and this condition is met.

Conclusion on whether a tax-exempt body entertainment benefit is provided

124. As the requirements explained in paragraph 73 of this Ruling are met, the bnefit provided is a tax-exempt body entertainment benefit where section 32-30 of the ITAA 1997 does not apply.

125. As the benefit provided is a tax-exempt body entertainment benefit, it is not a residual benefit as explained in paragraph 71 of this Ruling.

126. The exemption under subsection 47(2) therefore does not apply and it is therefore not necessary to consider the other requirements as listed in paragraph 71 of this Ruling.

Is the expenditure wholly or partly attributable to entertainment facility leasing expenses?

127. As discussed in paragraph 68 of this Ruling, the other exception that may apply is expenditure wholly or partly attributable to entertainment facility leasing expenses.

128. Entertainment facility leasing expenses are defined in subsection 136(1) as meaning, for a person:

... expenses incurred by the person in hiring or leasing:

(a)
a corporate box; or
(b)
boats, or planes, for the purpose of the provision of entertainment; or
(c)
other premises, or facilities, for the purpose of the provision of entertainment;

but does not include so much of any such expenses that:

(d)
is attributable to the provision of food or drink; or
(e)
is attributable to advertising and is an allowable deduction for the person under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 or the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

Is the expenditure incurred in hiring or leasing?

129. As provided for in ATO Interpretive Decision ATO ID 2009/45 Fringe Benefits Tax: Entertainment Facility Leasing Expenses: private function room and hotel room expenses, the word 'hiring' is not defined in the FBTAA so it has its natural meaning, taken in the context in which it appears in the legislation.

130. The Macquarie Dictionary defines 'hire' as[2]:

verb (t) (hired, hiring)
1. to engage the services of for payment: to hire a clerk.
2. to engage the temporary use of for payment: to hire a car.
3. Also, hire out. to grant the temporary use of, or the services of, for a payment.
-noun 4. the price or compensation paid, or contracted to be paid, for the temporary use of something or for personal services or labour; pay.
5. the act of hiring.

131. The LexisNexis Encyclopaedic Australian Legal Dictionary defines 'hire' as[3]:

To lend to another for consideration the possession and use of goods for a particular period or purpose. Title to the goods throughout the hire period remains with the owner.

132. Subsection 136(1) defines 'leased' to mean:

... let on hire (including a letting on hire that is described in the relevant agreement as a lease) under an agreement other than a hire-purchase agreement.

133. The employer has incurred expenses in return for the use of the gym equipment within Client Facility within the wider premises of the employer which accords with the dictionary definition of 'hire'.

Is the expenditure in relation to hiring or leasing other premises or facilities?

134. Under the definition of 'entertainment facility leasing expenses', the hire or lease must be of corporate box, boat, plane or other premises or facilities.

135. The words premises or facilities are not defined in the FBTAA, so they have their natural meaning, taken in the context that they appear in the legislation.

136. As explained in paragraphs 34 to 38 of this Ruling, participation in the Health and Fitness program consisting of supervision of Trainers and the use of the gym equipment in a designated area meets the definition of 'facility'.

137. As the Management Fee is paid to cover the employee's use of the gym equipment, the expenditure is wholly or partly attributable to entertainment facility leasing expenses.

138. Benefits provided under the salary packaging arrangement that constitute the provision of entertainment leasing expenses are an exempt benefit where the grossed-up taxable value does not exceed $5,000. Any excess amount is included for the purpose of the capping thresholds in determining the employer's aggregate non-exempt amount under subsection 5B(1E) for an employer subject to the provisions of section 57A .

139. The provision of entertainment leasing expenses may reduce the amount of rebate available to a rebatable employer under section 65J. The provision of such benefits will form part of the employer's aggregate non-rebatable amount in the subsection 65J(2A) rebate calculation where the grossed-up taxable value of such benefits exceeds $5,000. Any excess amount is included in the capping thresholds for the purposes of determining the employer's aggregate non-rebatable amount under subsection 65J(2A) for an employer subject to the provisions of section 65J.

© AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

You are free to copy, adapt, modify, transmit and distribute this material as you wish (but not in any way that suggests the ATO or the Commonwealth endorses you or any of your services or products).

Footnotes

Macmillan Publishers Australia, The Macquarie Dictionary online, www.macquariedictionary.com.au, viewed 13 April 2022.

Macmillan Publishers Australia, The Macquarie Dictionary online, www.macquariedictionary.com.au, viewed 13 April 2022.

LexisNexis, Encyclopaedic Australian Legal Dictionary https://advance.lexis.com , accessed 13 April 2022.


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