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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: 1051845048089

Date of advice: 1 June 2021

Ruling

Subject: Capital gains tax

Question

Will any capital gain or loss you make from the sale of your house be disregarded?

Answer

Yes

You are entitled to the full main residence exemption because:

•         you are an individual

•         the house was your main residence for capital gains purposes throughout your period of ownership, and

•         the land sold with the house is less than two hectares.

The effect of making the absence choice is that the house continues to be your main residence for capital gains purposes from when you moved out of it until you sold it.

This ruling applies for the following period:

Year ending 30 June 2021

The scheme commences on:

2020

Relevant facts and circumstances

•         You purchased the house about 10 years ago.

•         The house was your main residence until about five years ago.

•         Due to one of your family member's medical conditions, you relocated to a relative's house.

•         The house was rented out to tenants once you moved out and until just before its sale.

•         The house entered into a contract of sale recently and settlement occurred shortly afterwards.

•         You elected to use the absence choice to treat your house as your main residence for the whole period it was rented out.

•         The land adjacent to the house is less than two hectares.

Relevant legislative provisions

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 118-110.

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 118-145.

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 subsection 118-190(3).