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This edited version has been archived due to the length of time since original publication.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: 1051373879596

Date of advice: 22 May 2018

Ruling

Subject: Commissioner’s discretion

Question

Will the Commissioner allow you further time under paragraph 124-75(3)(b) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) to acquire a replacement capital gains tax (CGT) asset?

Answer

Yes.

This ruling applies for the following periods:

Year ended 30 June 201X

Year ended 30 June 201X

Year ended 30 June 201X

The scheme commences on:

1 July 201X

Relevant facts and circumstances

You owned a commercial investment property.

The property was compulsorily acquired by a government authority.

You had the property valued and the offer of compensation was less than this amount.

The compensation payment received is under a protracted legal dispute as you seek to get an increased amount of compensation.

The compulsory acquisition roll-over in subdivision 124-B of the ITAA 1997 was applied to the capital gain.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 124-70

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 124-75

Reasons for decision

Subdivision 124-B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) explains the circumstances when a replacement asset rollover is available for an asset that is compulsorily acquired, lost or destroyed.

If you receive money as a result of a compulsory acquisition or when a CGT asset is lost or destroyed, you can only choose a rollover if you incur expenditure in acquiring another CGT asset. Under subsection 124-75(3) of the ITAA 1997, you must incur at least some of the expenditure no earlier than one year before the event happens or, within one year after the end of the income year in which the event happens.

This period may be extended in special circumstances as outlined in Taxation Determination TD 2000/40.

In your case, you have been unable to purchase a replacement asset in the prescribed time due a protracted legal dispute with a state authority over the quantum of the compensation. On these facts, we would accept that there are special circumstances to allow further time to acquire a replacement asset.