Draft Taxation Ruling
TR 2021/D4W - Notice of Withdrawal
Income tax: royalties - character of receipts in respect of software
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Please note that the PDF version is the authorised version of this withdrawal notice.
Notice of Withdrawal
Draft Taxation Ruling TR 2021/D4 is withdrawn with effect from today.
1. TR 2021/D4, which issued on 30 July 2021, explains the Commissioner's preliminary view on when receipts from the licensing and distribution of software will be royalties as defined in subsection 6(1) of the Income Tax Assessment 1936.
2. TR 2021/D4 has been replaced by TR 2024/D1 Income tax: royalties – character of payments in respect of software and intellectual property rights, which issued today. TR 2024/D1 elaborates on the view expressed in TR 2021/D4 by providing further clarity on the:
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- interaction between the domestic law and tax treaty definition of royalty
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- interpretation and application of the Copyright Act 1968
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- apportionment of payments
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- impact on different software distribution models, including software as a service.
3. Given the previous concerns raised by industry stakeholders in respect of TR 2021/D4, and to allow a further opportunity for feedback, a decision was made to reissue TR 2021/D4 as an updated draft for public consultation.
Commissioner of Taxation
17 January 2024
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You are free to copy, adapt, modify, transmit and distribute this material as you wish (but not in any way that suggests the ATO or the Commonwealth endorses you or any of your services or products).
References
ATO references:
NO 1-BJYYOLO
Related Rulings/Determinations:
TR 2021/D4