Taxation Ruling
TR 2012/6A1 - Addendum
Income tax: deductibility under subsection 295-465(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 of premiums paid by a complying superannuation fund for an insurance policy providing Total and Permanent Disability cover in respect of its members
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Addendum
This Addendum is a public ruling for the purposes of the Taxation Administration Act 1953. It amends TR 2012/6 to:
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- update the title, preamble and legislative references
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- make several minor corrections to grammar and punctuation
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- correct a minor drafting error, and
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- include a footnote noting regulation 4.07D of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994.
TR 2012/6 is amended as follows:
Omit 'Total and Permanent Disability'; substitute 'total and permanent disability'.
Omit the Table of Contents; substitute:
| Table of Contents | Paragraph |
| What this Ruling is about | 1 |
| Definitions | 6 |
| 'TPD insurance policy' | 6 |
| 'TPD benefits' | 7 |
| 'Insured event' | 8 |
| 'Complying superannuation fund' | 10 |
| 'Disability superannuation benefit' | 11 |
| 'Preserved benefits' | 12 |
| 'Condition of release' | 13 |
| Ruling | 14 |
| Deductibility of premiums under subsection 295-465(1) | 14 |
| Sole purpose | 19 |
| Alignment with definition of 'disability superannuation benefit' | 22 |
| Deduction under item 5 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) | 24 |
| Deduction for the whole premium | 24 |
| Deduction for a specified part of the premium | 25 |
| Deduction for part of the premium under item 6 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) | 28 |
| No deduction | 39 |
| Effect of superannuation fund trust deed | 41 |
| Examples | 43 |
| Example 1: deduction for own occupation under item 6 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) | 44 |
| Example 2: deduction for any occupation and own occupation under item 5 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) | 52 |
| Example 3: deduction for own occupation and loss of limbs or sight (or both) under item 6 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) | 63 |
| Example 4: deduction for any occupation and domestic duties under item 5 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) | 75 |
| Example 5: deduction for any occupation and loss of limbs or sight (or both) under item 6 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) | 82 |
| Example 6: deduction for any occupation and loss of independence under item 5 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) | 93 |
| Example 7: deduction for any occupation and death benefit under item 5 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) | 100 |
| Example 8: deduction for own occupation bundled with death benefit under item 6 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) | 109 |
| Example 9: no deduction for premium for additional death and TPD insurance where no connection to a current or contingent liability of a fund to provide a 'disability superannuation benefit' | 122 |
| Date of effect | 126 |
| Appendix Explanation | 128 |
| Background | 128 |
| Legislative history the ITAA 1936 | 131 |
| Transitional provisions and other amendments to the law | 137 |
| Division 295 | 139 |
| Deductibility of premiums under subsection 295-465(1) | 147 |
| Sole purpose | 160 |
| Alignment with definition of 'disability superannuation benefit' | 168 |
| Deduction for specified part of the premium under item 5 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) | 173 |
| Deduction for part of the premium under item 6 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) based on apportionment | 191 |
| No deduction | 220 |
| Effect of superannuation fund trust deed | 224 |
Omit the wording of the preamble; substitute:
Relying on this Ruling
This publication (excluding appendix) is a public ruling for the purposes of the Taxation Administration Act 1953.
If this Ruling applies to you, and you correctly rely on it, we will apply the law to you in the way set out in this Ruling. That is, you will not pay any more tax or penalties or interest in respect of the matters covered by this Ruling.
Omit footnote 1.
Omit the wording of paragraph 2; substitute:
In particular, this Ruling explains:
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- the Commissioner's view on how subsections 295-465(1), 295-465(1A) and 295-465(1B) of the ITAA 1997, together with paragraph 295-460(b) of the ITAA 1997, apply to such premiums;
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- the relationship between the deductibility of the premiums and the rules for the provision of benefits by a complying superannuation fund to its members as set out in the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SISA) and the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 (SISR); and
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- the interaction of the relevant ITAA 1997 provisions with the relevant provisions of the Income Tax Assessment (1997 Act) Regulations 2021 (ITAR (1997 Act) 2021).
Omit the wording of the paragraph; substitute:
The relevant provisions applied in this Ruling are:
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- section 295-460 of the ITAA 1997;
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- section 295-465 of the ITAA 1997;
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- section 995-1 of the ITAA 1997; and
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- section 295-465.01 of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021.
Omit 'Nor does it'; substitute 'Additionally, it does not'.
(a) After 'subsection 295-465(1)', insert 'of the ITAA 1997'.
(b) After the paragraph, insert new paragraph 5A:
5A. All further legislative references in this Ruling are to the ITAA 1997, unless otherwise indicated.
(a) After 'In this Ruling', insert a comma.
(b) After 'For the purpose of this Ruling', insert a comma.
After 'In this Ruling', insert a comma.
In the heading, omit 'insured'; substitute 'Insured'.
(a) In the heading, omit 'complying'; substitute 'Complying'.
(b) After 'In this Ruling', insert a comma.
(a) In the heading, omit 'disability'; substitute 'Disability'.
(b) Omit the wording of the quote; substitute:
a superannuation benefit if:
- (a)
- the benefit is paid to an individual because he or she suffers from ill-health (whether physical or mental); and
- (b)
- 2 legally qualified medical practitioners have certified that, because of the ill-health, it is unlikely that the individual can ever be gainfully employed in a capacity for which he or she is reasonably qualified because of education, experience or training.
(a) In the heading, omit 'preserved'; substitute 'Preserved'.
(b) After 'In this Ruling', insert a comma.
(a) In the heading, omit 'condition'; substitute 'Condition'.
(b) After 'In this Ruling', insert a comma.
Omit 'event(s). Also whether on the occurrence of those events'; substitute 'event and also, whether on the occurrence of those events,'.
In footnote 10, after 'However', insert a comma.
(a) Omit the wording of the paragraph, including footnote 13; substitute:
A premium may be paid to cover more than one insured event for permanent disability where:
- (a)
- the occurrence of one or more of the insured events specified in the policy is certain to result in a fund liability, pursuant to the terms of the fund trust deed, to provide a 'disability superannuation benefit' to a member; and
- (b)
- the occurrence of other insured events specified in the policy is not certain to result in a fund liability, pursuant to the terms of the fund trust deed, to provide a 'disability superannuation benefit' to a member.
(b) After the paragraph, insert new paragraph 25A:
25A. Where a premium is paid in the circumstances detailed in paragraph 25 of this Ruling, item 5 in the table in subsection 295-465(1) will apply to allow a deduction for the part of a premium that is specified in the policy as being wholly for the liability to provide benefits covered by section 295-460.13A
(c) At the end of new paragraph 25A, insert new footnote 13A:
13A Refer footnote 12 of this Ruling.
After 'either an amount', omit the comma.
In footnote 14, omit 'Income Tax Assessment Regulations 1997 (ITAR 1997)'; substitute 'ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(a) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(b) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(c) At the end of the paragraph, insert new footnote 14A:
14A This Ruling does not consider the operation of regulation 4.07D of the SISR, which generally requires insured benefits provided through superannuation funds to be consistent with specified conditions of release. This may affect the circumstances in which certain insured benefits, including own occupation benefits, may be provided.
(a) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(b) Omit all instances of 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
Omit all instances of 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(a) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(b) Omit the wording of footnote 15; substitute:
Subsection 295-465.01(3) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021.
(a) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(b) Omit the wording of footnote 16; substitute:
Subsection 295-465.01(4) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021.
Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
After 'Similarly', insert a comma.
Omit 'section 295-465(1)'; substitute 'subsection 295-465(1)'.
After 'superannuation benefit'', insert a comma.
(a) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(b) After 'Therefore', insert a comma.
(c) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
Omit 'regulations, then'; substitute 'regulations then,'.
After 'Under the terms of the policy', insert a comma.
(a) After 'Therefore', insert a comma.
(b) Omit the wording of footnote 17; substitute:
See footnote 10 of this Ruling.
(a) After 'Under the terms of the policy's own occupation cover', insert a comma.
(b) After 'In these circumstances', insert a comma.
(a) In the heading, omit 'loss of limbs and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(b) Omit 'self managed'; substitute 'self-managed'.
36. Paragraphs 65, 68, 70, 71 and 89
Omit 'loss of limbs and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
After 'Under the terms of the policy', insert a comma.
Omit 'Loss of limbs and/or sight'; substitute 'Loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(a) Omit all instances of 'loss of limbs and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(b) After 'However', insert a comma.
(a) Omit 'loss of limb and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(b) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(c) After 'Therefore', insert a comma.
(d) Omit 'loss of limbs and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(e) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(a) After 'Therefore', insert a comma.
(b) Omit the wording of footnote 18; substitute:
See footnote 10 of this Ruling.
(a) After 'at least two medical practitioners', omit the comma.
(b) After both instances of 'Therefore', insert a comma.
(c) Omit the wording of footnote 19; substitute:
See footnote 10 of this Ruling.
After 'Accordingly', insert a comma.
(a) In the heading, omit ' loss of limbs and/or sight '; substitute ' loss of limbs or sight (or both) '.
(b) Omit 'loss of limb and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(a) Omit both instances of 'loss of limb and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(b) Omit 'loss of limbs and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(a) After 'subsection 295-465(1)', insert a comma.
(b) After 'Therefore', insert a comma.
(c) Omit the wording of footnote 20; substitute:
See footnote 10 of this Ruling.
Omit 'loss of limbs and/or sight cover'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both) cover,'.
(a) After 'However', insert a comma.
(b) Omit all instances of 'loss of limbs and/or sight'; substitute ''loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(a) Omit 'loss of limb and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(b) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(c) After 'Therefore', insert a comma.
(d) Omit 'loss of limbs and/or sight', substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(e) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(a) After 'Therefore', insert a comma.
(b) Omit the wording of footnote 21; substitute:
See footnote 10 of this Ruling.
(a) After both instances of 'Therefore'; insert a comma.
(b) Omit the wording of footnote 22; substitute:
See footnote 10 of this Ruling.
(a) After 'Therefore', insert a comma.
(b) Omit the wording of footnote 23; substitute:
See footnote 10 of this Ruling.
Omit 'self managed'; substitute 'self-managed'.
After 'However', insert a comma.
(a) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(b) After 'Therefore', insert a comma.
(c) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
Omit 'debt, such that'; substitute 'debt such that'.
Omit 'ruling'; substitute 'Ruling'.
Omit the paragraph.
(a) In the heading, omit ' Appendix 1 '; substitute ' Appendix '.
(b) After 'In other cases', insert a comma.
Omit 'loss of limb and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
In footnote 24, omit 'will be'; substitute 'were'.
Omit 'for example, a 'disability superannuation benefit' or another person for example, a superannuation death benefit'; substitute '(for example, a 'disability superannuation benefit') or another person (for example, a superannuation death benefit)'.
In footnote 26, omit 'of the ITAA 1997'.
(a) After 'type specified in the regulations', insert a comma.
(b) In footnote 27, omit 'ITAR 1997'; substitute 'ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
Omit 'the person can ever be *gainfully employed'; substitute 'the person can ever be gainfully employed'.
Omit the wording of the paragraph; substitute:
The term 'gainfully employed' is also defined in subsection 995-1(1) as meaning 'employed or self-employed for gain or reward in any business, trade, profession, vocation, calling, occupation or employment.
(a) Omit 'v. Engwirda Construction Co (1969) 120 CLR 455, Owen J at 461'; substitute 'v Engwirda Construction Co [1969] HCA 47; (1969) 120 CLR 455, Owen J at [461]'.
(b) In the quote, omit '... 'contingent'; substitute '... 'contingent'.
After 'However', insert a comma.
In the quote, omit 'ill-health (whether'; substitute 'Ill-health (whether'.
(a) After 'In our view', insert a comma.
(b) After 'subsection 295-465(1)', insert a comma.
(c) In footnote 36, after 'However', insert a comma.
(d) In footnote 36, omit ', and therefore'; substitute 'and, therefore,'.
(a) After 'subsection 295-465(1)', insert a comma.
(b) In footnote 37, omit 'noted above'; substitute 'noted in footnote 36 of this Ruling'.
(c) In footnote 37, omit ', and therefore'; substitute 'and, therefore,'.
After 'In this case', insert a comma.
After 'paragraphs 191 to 219', omit the comma.
After 'the SISR', omit the comma.
After 'In some cases', insert a comma.
Omit 'full time'; substitute 'full-time'.
Omit 'new subsection'; substitute 'subsection'.
At the end of the paragraph, insert a full stop.
(a) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(b) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
Omit 'he or she was'; substitute 'they were'.
After 'In these circumstances', insert a comma.
Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
83. Paragraphs 204, 205 and 206
Omit 'loss of limbs and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(a) Omit 'loss of limbs and/or sight'; substitute 'loss of limbs or sight (or both)'.
(b) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(a) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(b) Omit all instances of 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(c) Omit 'Whilst'; substitute 'While'.
(d) Omit the wording of footnote 38; substitute:
Subsection 295-465.01(2) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021.
- (a)
- Omit all instances of 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
- (b)
- Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(1) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(a) Omit all instances of 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(b) Omit 'dressing/undressing would also likely result in the member's inability to bath/shower or eat/drink'; substitute 'dressing or undressing would also likely result in the member's inability to bath or shower or eat or drink'.
(a) Omit 'subregulation 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR'; substitute 'subsection 295-465.01(5) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021'.
(b) Omit the wording of footnote 39; substitute:
Subsection 295-465.01(3) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021.
Omit the wording of footnote 40; substitute:
Subsection 295-465.01(4) of the ITAR (1997 Act) 2021.
Omit 'section 295-460 ,for example an additional payment for the member to obtain financial advice'; substitute 'section 295-460 (for example, an additional payment for the member to obtain financial advice)'.
Omit the paragraph, including heading.
This Addendum applies:
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- for the change relating to regulation 4.07D of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 from 1 July 2014
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- for other currency updates that do not affect the substantive application of the Ruling before and after its issue date.
Commissioner of Taxation
11 November 2026
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References
ATO references:
NO 1-1C6AKSWU
Relying on this Ruling