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This edited version has been archived due to the length of time since original publication.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

Authorisation Number: 1013022027400

Date of advice: 24 May 2016

Ruling

Subject: Temporary budget repair levy

Question 1

Is the taxable component of your employment termination payment included in calculating your taxable income for the purposes of the Temporary Budget Repair Levy?

Answer

Yes.

Question 2

Are you required to pay the temporary budget repair levy where your taxable income exceeds $180,000?

Answer

Yes.

Question 3

Is the taxable component of your employment termination payment included in calculating your taxable income for the purposes of the Medicare levy?

Answer

Yes.

Question 4

Are you required to pay the Medicare levy on your total taxable income?

Answer

Yes.

This ruling applies for the following period

Year ending 30 June 2015

The scheme commenced on

1 July 2014

Relevant facts

You received a one off employment termination payment.

This has increased your income to be above $180,000.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 Section 4-11

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 4-15

Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 Section 251S

Reasons for decision

Summary

The taxable component of your employment termination payment is included in determining your taxable income for the temporary budget repair levy purposes and Medicare levy.

The Commissioner does not have the discretion to disregard your employment termination payment from your taxable income when calculating the amount of levy payable.

Detailed reasoning

Temporary Budget Repair Levy

As part of the 2014-15 Federal budget the Government introduced a Temporary Budget Repair Levy.

Section 4-11 of the Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 states you must pay extra income tax for a financial year if your taxable income exceeds $180,000.

The levy is payable at a rate of two per cent of each dollar of a taxpayer's taxable income over $180,000.

It will apply to both resident and non-resident individuals from 1 July 2014 and applies to the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 income years. The levy will cease to apply from 1 July 2017.

The legislation provides no exclusions or exemptions for one off payments such as employment termination payment when calculating your taxable income for the levy purposes.

That is taxable income = assessable income less deductions (section 4-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997).

In your case, your taxable income for the year ended 30 June 2015 was more than $180,000 and therefore you are liable for the Temporary Budget Repair Levy.

Medicare levy

Section 251S of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 provides that a Medicare levy is levied and shall be paid by an individual who is a resident of Australia at any time during the income year based on his or her taxable income for the year. The Medicare levy is levied at the rate applicable in the Medicare Levy Act 1986. For the 2014-15 financial year, the Medicare levy is payable at the rate of 2% of taxable income.

Full or partial exemption from the Medicare levy may be provided in certain circumstances. For example, if you are not an Australian resident for tax purposes, you are exempt from the Medicare levy. However, none of the exemptions apply in your circumstances.

There is no provision within the taxation legislation which allows the Commissioner to exclude your employment termination payment from the calculation of your taxable income for Medicare levy purposes. Nor is the Commissioner able to omit any one-off payments which you would not normally receive during a financial year.

Accordingly, the Medicare levy will be calculated based on your total taxable income for the year ended 30 June 2015 which will include the taxable component of your employment termination payment received.