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This edited version has been archived due to the length of time since original publication.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

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: 1012632383787

Ruling

Subject: Mining Compensation Payments

Question 1

Will the compensation payment under the proposed Conduct and Compensation Agreement "the Agreement" be assessable as income or a capital gain?

Answer

No

Question 2

Will the compensation payment under the Agreement reduce the cost base of the relevant property for any future capital gain?

Answer

Yes

Question 3

To the extent that any recoupment of the purchase price exceeds the cost base of the property, will the excess be a taxable capital gain?

Answer

No

This ruling applies for the following period(s)

Income year ended 30 June 2014

Income year ended 30 June 2015

The scheme commences on

1 July 2013

Relevant facts and circumstances

The arrangement that is the subject of the private ruling is described below. This description is based on the following documents. These documents form part of and are to be read with this description. The relevant documents are:

    • The application for private ruling

    • The proposed Conduct and Compensation Agreement

You are the landowner of a property and carry on a business on that property.

You have entered into a compensation agreement under a statutory authority with a company to compensate you for mining activities being undertaken on that land.

The contract details the Agreed Authorised Activities relevant to the damages caused.

Clause x of the Agreement in conjunction with the statutory authority provides that you have been compensated for the following heads of damage:

    • deprivation of possession of its surface;

    • diminution of its value;

    • severance of any part of the land from other parts of the land;

    • any cost, damage or loss arising from the carrying out of activities under the petroleum authority on the land.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 6-5

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 6-10

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Subsection 110-55(6)

Reasons for decision

Taxation Ruling TR 95/35 provides the Commissioner's view on the taxation implications of compensation receipts. Accordingly, to determine the tax treatment of a compensation payment a "look through" approach is adopted to identify the relevant asset to which the compensation relates.

Having regard to your full circumstances, it is accepted that you have been compensated primarily for the reduction in value to an underlying asset, being the property.

Consequently the compensation payments will not be assessable income under section 6-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) as the payments relate to a capital asset.

In this instance where there is no disposal of the underlying asset the receipts will instead amount to a reduction of the cost base of the relevant asset under section 110-55(6) of the ITAA 1997 as a recoupment of the purchase price.

Additionally, paragraph 133 of TR 95/35 provides that any recoupment that exceeds the cost base of the property will not represent a taxable capital gain and, there will be no capital gains tax consequences in respect of any excess.