This Case Decision Summary illustrates the approach taken by the Commissioner of Taxation in applying Part IVA to a real fact situation. The facts have been simplified to focus on key practical issues.
To properly apply Part IVA, the law must be applied to all the relevant facts. In particular, an eight step test must be applied to determine whether, on the facts, a particular scheme objectively has the dominant purpose of obtaining a tax benefit not intended by the law. Where the scheme simply takes advantage of the intended operation of a structural feature of the law, Part IVA will not apply because the required dominant purpose will not exist.
In applying the dominant purpose test, regard must be had to the manner in which the scheme is carried out; that is, whether the scheme bears the stamp of tax avoidance. The Full Federal Court in Bellinz Pty Limited v Federal Commissioner of Taxation 98 ATC 4634 at 4647; 39 ATR 198 at 212 has noted the difficulty in applying Part IVA prior to the scheme being carried out, because the execution of the scheme may in fact be different to that originally proposed. Even where the scheme has been carried out, the Court has noted that a difficulty in coming to a view on the application of Part IVA is to ensure that all relevant facts are considered, including those concerning the manner in which the scheme is carried out.
This Case Decision Summary has been withdrawn.
ATO Case Decision
Case Decision Number:
CDS10326
Subject:
Does Part IVA (Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936)) apply to a proposed business venture between a company and an exempt body, in which the partnership agreement provides that profits will be split evenly, but losses will be distributed solely to the taxpaying company?
Decision:
There is a strong prima facie case for the application of Part IVA, but the conclusion will depend on the facts of the case.
Reasons for Decision:
On these facts, it is arguable the purpose of the arrangement is to obtain a tax benefit. A deal to split the profits and channel the losses to the taxpayer when there is an exempt entity involved, is an arrangement that Part IVA (ITAA 1936) would apply to.
Legislative References:
Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 Part IVA
Keywords:
Deductions & expenses
Entities & taxpayer groups
Losses
Part IVA
Partnership income
Partnership interests
Partnership losses
Partnerships
Tax avoidance
Tax planning
Tax planning, avoidance & evasion
FOI Number:
I2000326