Draft Taxation Determination

TD 93/D147

Income tax: in 'Take or Pay' contracts, is income derived at the time of receipt/billing or when the product is delivered?

• Please note that the PDF version is the authorised version of this draft ruling.
  This document has been Withdrawn.
  View the Withdrawal notice for this document.

FOI status:

draft only - for comment

Preamble

1. Income is derived at the time of billing.

2. A "Take or Pay" contract can be described as one where payments must be made whether or not the product is actually delivered. The obligation to pay is absolute and is not dependent on the buyer taking delivery of the goods.

3. Under a "Take or Pay" contract the buyer contracts to purchase an annual minimum quantity of product and where a shortfall occurs in the amount of product taken, an enforceable debt is created. The debt is billed and is due and payable under the terms of the contract.

4. In Barratt v F.C. of T (1992) 23 ATR 339; 92 ATC 4275 Gummow J at pp 4281-4282 said in discussing the relationship between recoverability and derivation

"that a debt is derived if it is presently recoverable, in the sense that there is a present right to receive the amount that is both earned and quantified, without any contingency or defeasibility of that right."

Example

A, the buyer contracts with B, the seller to purchase an annual minimum quantity of product G say 100,000 units. If in any year the buyer only takes delivery of 80,000 units, A is obligated to pay for the shortfall of 20,000 units. B bills A for the shortfall and the debt becomes due and payable under the terms of the contract.

Commissioner of Taxation
10 June 1993

References

BO Mel Cas X

Related Rulings/Determinations:

TD 93/D147W
TD 93/18

Subject References:
derivation of income
contracts

Legislative References:
ITAA 25(1)

Case References:
Barratt v. FC of T
(1992)23 ATR 339
92 ATC 4275