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This edited version has been archived due to the length of time since original publication.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

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Edited version of your written advice

Authorisation Number: 1012786255505

Ruling

Subject: Proposed internal reorganisation

Part A

Question A1

Will the disposal of the SubCo shares by the Australian Company income tax consolidated group satisfy the preconditions in subsection 768-505(1) of the ITAA 1997?

Answer

Yes

Question A3

Is the exploration for minerals considered to be a 'business' within the meaning of subparagraph 768-540(1)(b)(i) of the ITAA 1997?

Answer

Yes

Question A4

Will the active foreign business asset percentage of SubCo as determined under the method statement in subsection 768-520(1) of the ITAA 1997 be 100%?

Answer

Yes

Part B

Question B1

Will any part of the distribution made by Australian Company to the Foreign Company be treated as a dividend within the meaning of section 6(1) of the ITAA 1936?

Answer

No

Question B2

Will the Commissioner seek to make a determination under section 45B of the ITAA 1936 that section 45C of the ITAA 1936 applies?

Answer

No

Part C

Question C1

Will the Commissioner seek to apply Part IVA of the ITAA 1936 in relation to the scheme?

Answer

No

Relevant facts and circumstances

Australia Company is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Foreign Company and is a tax resident of Australia.

Australia Company acquired all of the shares in Holding Co.

Holding Co is an Australian resident company.

Proposed internal reorganisation

The proposed internal reorganisation and subsequent distribution would consist of the following steps:

Step 1

    • Australia Company will elect to form an income tax consolidated group

Step 2

Holding Co (as a subsidiary member of the Australia Company Group) will dispose of all of its interests in the SubCo to Foreign Company at market value.

Step 3

Holding Co will make a distribution to Australia Company.

On the basis that Holding Co and Australia Company are both members of the same income tax consolidated group, this step should have no Australian income tax consequences.

Step 4

Australia Company will make a distribution to its shareholder, Foreign Company:

    • The proposed distribution is to be accounted for by Australia Company as a debit against the amount standing to the credit of its share capital account and a credit to the promissory note owed by Foreign Company.

    • The total amount of the distribution is proposed to be debited against the share capital account.

    • Since its incorporation, Australia Company has not made any distributions.

    • The share capital account of Australia Company is not a tainted share capital account.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 subsection 768-505(1)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 subsection 768-520(1)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 subparagraph 768-540(1)(b)(i)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 subsection 6(1)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 subsection 44(1)

Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 Part IVA

Reasons for decision

Part A

Question A1 to A7

The Applicant satisfied all of the requisite requirements of the relevant legislative provisions for the purposes of answering questions A1 to A7 of the ruling application.

Part B

Question B1

The requirements of a 'distribution' under subsection 6(1) of the ITAA 1936 were not satisfied.

Question B2

The Applicant failed to meet all of the relevant requirements of section 45B of the ITAA 1936.

Part C

Question C1

The proposed scheme did not meet all of the requirements of Part IVA of the ITAA 1936.