Goods and Services Tax Ruling

GSTR 2004/4

Goods and services tax: assignment of payment streams including under a typical securitisation arrangement

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FOI status:

may be released

What this Ruling is about

1. This Ruling explains the Commissioner's view on how the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (GST Act) and the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Regulations 1999 (GST regulations) apply to the supply of rights to a payment stream by means of an assignment.

2. In particular this Ruling deals with the supply of a right to a payment stream arising from the following types of transactions:

•

Loan portfolios;

•

Finance and operating leases;

•

Hire purchase agreements;

•

Residential/commercial property leases;

•

Royalty agreements; and

•

Credit card receivables.

3. This Ruling also deals with issues related specifically to debt factoring and typical securitisation arrangements.

4. It does not cover circumstances where there is:

•

a mere redirection of a payment from one entity to another; and

•

a novation of an agreement that gives rise to a payment stream.

5. For the purposes of this Ruling the term 'assignor' is used to refer to the entity that first assigns the right to a payment stream. Where the term 'originator' is used this refers to an assignor under a typical securitisation arrangement.

6. Certain terms in this Ruling are defined or explained in the Definition Section of the Ruling. These terms, when first mentioned in the text in the body of the Ruling, appear in bold type.

7. Unless otherwise stated all legislative references in this Ruling are to the GST Act and GST regulations.

Date of effect

8. This Ruling explains our view of the law as it applied from 1 July 2000. You can rely upon this Ruling on and from its date of issue for the purposes of section 37 of the Taxation Administration Act 1953. Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 1999/1 explains the GST rulings system and our view of when you can rely on our interpretation of the law in GST public and private rulings.

9. If this Ruling conflicts with a previous private ruling that you have obtained, this public ruling prevails. However, if you have relied on a private ruling, you are protected in respect of what you have done up to the date of issue of this public ruling. This means that if you have underpaid an amount of GST, you are not liable for the shortfall prior to the date of issue of this later ruling. Similarly, you are not liable to repay an amount overpaid by the Commissioner as a refund.

Background

10. Item 2 in subregulation 40-5.09(3) of the GST regulations refers to a debt, credit arrangement or right to credit, including a letter of credit. The examples applicable to item 2 in Schedule 7 include the right to an income stream under a securitisation arrangement.

11. While the example refers to a right to an income stream under a securitisation arrangement, we consider that in the context of the regulations, item 2 covers payment streams that are not necessarily 'income'. This Ruling therefore refers to a payment stream rather than an income stream. We also consider that item 2 applies to a right to a payment stream in other circumstances besides under securitisation arrangements.

12. One of the common methods by which the right to a payment stream is provided or acquired is through an assignment. Some arrangements, identified in paragraphs 13 and 14, do not involve an assignment of rights to a payment stream as contemplated by this Ruling.

Redirection of payments

13. Where an entity merely redirects the payment of an amount due to it to another entity there is no assignment of the right to the payment stream. It is an arrangement for the payment of amounts receivable by one entity from another to a third party. The payment may be the consideration for a supply by the entity receiving the payment.

Novation

14. Typically a novation involves the creation or substitution of a new agreement between the original parties to an agreement and a third party.^[F1] Apart from a novation effected by statute all parties must agree to a novation in order to give enforceable rights or obligations to the third party. An assignment of a chose in action by contrast, does not require the participation of all the original parties.^[F2]

Securitisation arrangements

15. A securitisation arrangement is the process whereby an entity packages and converts legal or beneficial title to future receivables and kindred assets into marketable debt securities which are traded in the capital market.^[F3] Securitisation is widely used because of the advantages it offers in terms of management of risk and raising funds.

16. Many institutions in Australia now offer debt securities backed by a wide variety of assets that include residential mortgages, commercial property loans, lease, credit card and trade receivables. These assets commonly have predictable cash flows, are small compared to the overall pool of assets, are reasonably homogeneous in terms of maturity and risk profile, and have similar terms and conditions.

17. Securitisation structures vary according to the objectives of the originating institution, the assets involved, and the targeted investors but are all essentially variations on a theme.^[F4] A typical securitisation structure is as follows:

18. The main feature of a typical securitisation arrangement is the establishment of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) under either trust or corporations law. The purpose of the SPV is to acquire receivables and any associated collateral rights from an originating institution. The SPV pays for the receivables by issuing debt securities (or notes) backed by the receivables. A more detailed explanation and discussion of a typical securitisation arrangement is provided at paragraphs 92 to 125 of this Ruling.

Ruling and explanation

19. The provision, acquisition or disposal of an interest in or under a debt is a financial supply under item 2 of subregulation 40-5.09(3). Provided the requirements of subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied the supply of the right to a payment stream by way of assignment is a financial supply as it is the provision, acquisition or disposal of an interest in a debt.

Interest in or under a debt

20. Regulation 40-5.02 provides that an interest in relation to a financial supply is anything that is recognised at law or in equity as property in any form. Relevant examples of an interest include a debt or right to credit and a right to future property.^[F5] The term interest is therefore given its broadest meaning so that an interest is as wide as the legal and equitable concept of property, including rights under a contract.^[F6]

21. One of the matters listed in item 2 of subregulation 40-5.09(3) is debt. Debt is not defined in the GST Act or regulations and therefore takes its general meaning unless a contrary intention appears.^[F7] When not expanded by particular words or phrases the ordinary legal usage of the term debt is an obligation actually incurred.^[F8]

22. Subregulation 40-5.09(3) deals with interests in or under debt. The term interest, in relation to debt, extends to an existing contractual right to a debt that will arise in the future.

Provision, acquisition or disposal of an interest in or under a debt

23. A debt is a chose in action. In the general law it is usual to talk of the assignment of a chose in action, rather than provision, acquisition or disposal of an interest. For GST purposes an assignment comes within the meaning of disposal^[F9] of an interest. There are two methods of assignment:

•

a legal assignment; and

•

an equitable assignment.

24. Neither method requires any particular form of words. However, in both instances, a clear expression of an intention to assign is required and the subject matter of the assignment must be identified with certainty.^[F10]

25. Certain formalities are required for an effective legal assignment. These are set out in legislation in every Australian jurisdiction^[F11] and can be summarised as follows:

(a)

the assignment must be absolute and not purport to be by way of charge;

(b)

it must be in writing under the hand of the assignor; and

(c)

express notice must be given to the debtor in writing.^[F12]

If an assignment fails to comply with these requirements (for example, it is only part of an existing chose in action like the assignment of part of an interest in a partnership in Everett's case), it may be effective as an equitable assignment. The law as to equitable assignments has been discussed in a number of cases in the High Court of Australia dealing with assignments for income tax purposes: Norman,^[F13] Shepherd,^[F14] Everett^[F15] and Booth.^[F16]

26. So far as is relevant for present circumstances, these cases establish that the equitable assignment of a presently existing right to a payment stream (such as part of the royalties under an existing licence of a patent as in Shepherd's case) is effective immediately as an assignment.

27. An assignment of an expectancy (such as the right to dividends on shares as in Norman's case or the right to rent on a lease that has not yet been entered into as in Booth's case) is effective, when the right to the payment arises in the future, if the assignment is for consideration.

28. The term equitable assignment is used in both cases, though in the latter case it may more accurately be described as a 'contract to assign' when the relevant property comes into existence as explained by Windeyer J^[F17] in Norman's case. The agreement will take effect as an equitable assignment of the right immediately upon the assignor acquiring ownership of the right and provided it is capable of being identified with certainty as the one to which the agreement to assign applied.^[F18]

29. Until such time as the right has crystallised, the interest of an assignee of future property for valuable consideration is more than merely contractual. Equity regards the assignee as having a prospective interest in the property to be acquired which has some of the incidents of a proprietary right.^[F19] It is an interest for the purposes of the GST regulations which includes rights under a contract.^[F20]

30. Provided there has been an effective legal or equitable assignment of a right to all or part of a payment stream, or an agreement to assign the right to a payment stream that arises in the future there will be the supply of an interest in or under a debt. This is a financial supply under item 2 of subregulation 40-5.09(3) provided the requirements of subregulation 40-5.09(1) are also satisfied.

Alternative view

31. There is an alternative view that a purported assignment of a future debt, which is a mere expectancy, cannot be characterised as the provision, acquisition or disposal of an interest in a debt. This is on the basis that there can be no interest 'recognised at law or in equity as property in any form',^[F21] in a debt which has not yet come into existence. This view assumes that it is not possible to have a proprietary interest, at law or in equity, in something that does not exist.

32. According to the alternative view, there is an assignment of the actual debt when it comes into existence, rather than an assignment of a 'future debt'. This is consistent with the effect of a purported assignment of future property, which has no legal effect, but which equity treats as an agreement to assign with the assignment taking effect immediately upon the property coming into existence.

33. The Commissioner considers the better view to be that, for the reasons set out at paragraphs 23 to 30, an agreement to assign future debts involves the disposal of an interest in a debt which, if the other elements of regulation 40-5.09 are satisfied will constitute a financial supply at that point. That is, both the assignment of an interest in debt and an agreement to assign debt are financial supplies provided 40-5.09(1) is satisfied.

Assignment of payment stream and assignment of underlying property

34. It is necessary in some cases to distinguish the assignment of underlying property from the assignment of a payment stream arising from the property. For example if the owner of a building that is leased sells the freehold to another person subject to the existing lease, the purchaser will be entitled to the rent from the building as its owner. In an abstract sense it can be said that the former owner has assigned the right to rent but it is not an assignment of the rental stream in the sense that is generally understood in the law when referring to assignments of rights to payment streams (Mason CJ in Booth).^[F22]

35. When there is a transfer of legal ownership by the owner of the freehold, the new owner will continue to make a supply after the sale. The GST consequences will be determined by reference to the circumstances of the new owner (for example, whether the new owner is registered or required to be registered).^[F22A]

36. If there is no sale of the building but only an assignment of the rental stream, there are two supplies relevant in applying the GST, the rental of the building by its owner, and the dealing in the stream of rental payments which will be a financial supply if the conditions of regulation 40-5.09 are satisfied.

37. The same distinction between assignment of the payment stream and assignment of underlying property applies to sales of shares (discussed in Norman)^[F23] and of an interest in a partnership as opposed to the income from the partnership interest (Everett's^[F24] case). However, in these cases whether it is the payment stream, or the underlying property that is sold, the GST treatment of the supply will be the same because the supply of the shares or the interest in the partnership can be a financial supply in its own right. This is in contrast to the different GST treatment of the supply of the rental stream from the supply of the building which may be subject to GST.

38. In some of the cases with which this Ruling deals, bare payment streams such as trade and credit card receivables are assigned. Although there are related transactions, being the supplies of goods or services that give rise to the receivables, the recipient obtains only those receivables and not the other rights and obligations that flow from the related transactions.

39. Although the circumstances are different, the outcome is similar to assignment of rental streams. There are two relevant transactions for GST purposes, the supplies of the goods or services (which relate to their supplier) and the assignment of the receivables which will be a financial supply if the conditions of regulation 40-5.09 are satisfied. In the case of credit card receivables, the receivable itself arises out of a financial supply, being the provision of credit by the credit card company to its credit card customer.

40. Where the payment stream arises from secured or unsecured loans or other credit arrangements the assignment of the right to the payment stream will not be effective in making the assignee the provider of credit following the assignment unless the parties enter into a novation.

41. In addition to the right to receive the payment stream, other things covered by the assignment might include all right, title and interest in or to:

•

related documents, records and accounts;

•

payments arising from enforcement action;

•

any ancillary rights;

•

any related security; and

•

all rights in the underlying asset which is the subject of the particular receivables agreement.

Whether this amounts to an assignment of the underlying property as opposed to an assignment of the right to the payment stream will depend on an analysis of the transaction.

42. If the original owner of the underlying property continues to have rights to the property or functions to perform, it is likely that the transaction will be characterised as an assignment of the payment stream, rather than a sale of the underlying property. In this event the assignment of the right to the payment stream together with the related rights is a composite supply.

43. The supply is composite^[F25] because the supply of the related rights is considered integral, ancillary or incidental to the dominant part of the assignment which is of the right to the payment stream. The supply of the related rights is not seen as an end in itself but rather it merely contributes to or complements the use or enjoyment of the dominant part of the supply. The composite supply is a financial supply of an interest in or under a debt on which no GST liability arises if the provisions of regulation 40-5.09 are satisfied.

Liability for GST on the underlying supply

44. Since an assignment of a payment stream does not change the underlying supply, the assignor retains the obligation to make the underlying supply and remit any GST liability in respect of that supply.

Example 1 - obligation to remit GST

45. RentCo leases a number of commercial properties to tenants. It assigns the payment streams from the leases to OpportunistCo for valuable consideration. RentCo must continue to remit GST on the rental payments for the duration of the relevant leases as it is the supplier under the lease agreements.

46. If, on the other hand, there is a transfer of legal ownership of underlying property, as in the case of an outright sale, that carries with it a payment stream, the GST consequences of the supply of the property after the assignment will be determined by reference to the circumstances of the purchaser. In addition the GST consequences of the supply of the underlying property to the purchaser will have to be determined according to the relevant provisions.

47. Following the transfer of legal ownership of the underlying property, the purchaser of that property will be the supplier under the arrangement which gives rise to the payment stream. If the supply under that arrangement is a taxable supply, for example a lease of a motor vehicle or office equipment, the purchaser may be required to register and remit GST if the other requirements of section 9-5 are satisfied.

Entitlement to input tax credits

48. So long as the assignor continues to make the underlying supply, it will be entitled to claim input tax credits or reduced input tax credits, as the case may be, on its acquisitions to make that supply in much the same manner as before the assignment occurred.

49. Where the assignor has previously made predominately taxable supplies the assignment of the payment stream, being a financial supply, may cause it to exceed the financial acquisitions threshold.^[F26] The assignor will then need to consider its entitlement to input tax credits including the apportionment of certain acquisitions not directly related to the underlying supply.^[F27]

50. Because the assignor is still obligated to perform some functions as the supplier it will make acquisitions that relate to performing those obligations. Whether or not there is an entitlement to input tax credits for these acquisitions will depend on the GST character of that underlying supply.

Making provision for the GST liability

51. At law the obligation to remit GST on an underlying taxable supply where the associated payment stream has been assigned, may exist for a number of years depending on the term of the particular agreement that gives rise to the payment stream.^[F28] The assignor may have to take this into account at the time that the right to the payment stream is assigned.

52. In practice, the assignor may ensure that there are sufficient funds available to it to meet this obligation in a number of ways. It may, for example, partially assign the right excluding an amount to meet the assignor's obligation to pay GST or it may reflect the GST component in the pricing methodology for the assignment of the right.^[F29]

Attribution of GST on the original supply

53. The basic attribution rules are set out in Division 29. The rules differ according to whether the entity accounts for GST on the cash or the non-cash basis. Special rules also apply to the attribution of GST on supplies, made by non-cash basis suppliers, that are made progressively or for a period.^[F30]

54. The assignor of the debt is the entity that makes the supply to which the debt relates. Whether the payment by the debtor is made to the assignor (as trustee for the assignee) or to the assignee directly, the assignor continues to be liable for any GST on the supply.

55. The supply is made for consideration, and, depending on the nature of the supply, may be a taxable supply if all the other criteria in section 9-5 are met. Depending on the basis of accounting for GST, the supplier is required to attribute GST under section 29-5 to the extent that any consideration is received (cash basis) or in full on the earlier of receipt of any consideration or issue of an invoice (non cash basis). It does not specify that the supplier needs to issue the invoice, nor that the supplier must receive the consideration.

Cash basis

56. Where an entity assigns a payment stream arising from taxable supplies that the entity makes and the entity accounts on the cash basis, GST is attributed to the tax period in which consideration is received for the supply, but only to the extent that the consideration is received in the tax period.^[F31] The amount of GST payable is 1/11th of the amount paid to either the assignor or the assignee depending on the arrangements that exist following the assignment.

Non-cash basis

57. Subject to the operation of Division 156 which is about progressive or periodic supplies, for an entity operating on a non-cash basis, attribution occurs at the earlier of the tax period in which any of the consideration for the supply is received, or in which an invoice is issued.^[F32]

58. Division 156 modifies the basic attribution rules to attribute GST as if each progressive or periodic component of the supply were a separate supply.^[F33] In the case of a lease Division 156 has the effect of treating each periodic or progressive component as if it were a separate supply for attribution purposes which is then accounted for in accordance with section 29-5.^[F34] The GST is attributed to the tax period in which a separate invoice for a particular component is issued or when the periodic or progressive payment for that particular component is received.

Effect of notice of an assignment to the debtor

59. For an effective legal assignment there is a mandatory requirement to give express notification of the assignment to the debtor. Notification may also be given of an equitable assignment in order to preserve priorities, for example in an insolvency, and to prevent the debtor from obtaining a valid discharge of the debt from the assignor.^[F35] Where notification is given, the debtor is bound to make payments to the assignee from that point onwards.

Issuing invoices notifying an obligation to pay

60. In a practical sense this raises an issue about which entity is to provide an invoice, for example, where separate invoices are issued for each progressive or periodic component of a lease. An invoice is defined in section 195-1 to mean 'a document notifying an obligation to make a payment'. What this means is that the document must not only inform the recipient of a presently existing obligation to make a payment but also the amount of that payment.^[F36] It is also desirable that an invoice contains sufficient information to identify or ascertain the date of issue, the supplier and the recipient.^[F37]

61. In paragraph 32 of GSTR 2000/34 it is accepted that a third party can issue an invoice notifying an amount payable by one party to another. Therefore, where the assignor and assignee agree, it will be sufficient for the assignee to issue an invoice to the debtor to trigger attribution of the GST payable by the assignor provided the requirements set out in paragraph 60 are satisfied.

Issuing tax invoices

62. A similar issue arises for tax invoices in cases where the underlying supply that gives rise to the payment stream is a taxable supply. The responsibility for issuing a tax invoice rests with the supplier except in circumstances where the Commissioner has determined that recipient created tax invoices may be issued.^[F38]

63. The fact that the supplier has assigned the right to the payment stream does not relieve that entity of the obligation to provide a tax invoice to the recipient of the supply within 28 days if there is a request from the recipient to do so.^[F39]

64. Alternatively an existing document may already satisfy the requirements for a valid tax invoice for a supply or all components of a supply. For example a lease agreement and supporting schedule setting out the price of each component of the supply can satisfy the requirements.^[F40]

Bad debts and assignments

65. Division 21 of the GST Act provides for adjustments^[F41] for bad debts, for the purpose of working out net amounts of GST payable, where an entity accounts for GST on a basis other than the cash basis. Requirements for a decreasing or an increasing adjustment include that the whole or part of a debt is written off as bad, or is overdue for 12 months or more.

66. Where a debt that arises from an underlying taxable supply is assigned, by legal or equitable means, it is no longer the property of the assignor.^[F42] In this situation the assignor is unable to write off any of the debt and claim a decreasing adjustment if it subsequently turns bad. However if the whole or part of the debt remaining is reassigned by the assignee, then the original assignor is again able to write off the whole or that part reassigned and claim a decreasing adjustment accordingly.

67. The assignee of the debt will not be entitled to any adjustment under Division 21 because:

•

they are not the supplier in the underlying transaction that gave rise to the right to the debt or payment stream; and

•

in any event, the assignment of the debt is a financial supply that does not attract GST.

Interaction between GST and Income Tax in a partial assignment

68. In some instances an entity may assign only a portion of the right to a payment stream to another entity. In these circumstances it could be the case that the assignor incurs an income tax liability on that portion of the payment stream that the assignor retains.

69. Section 17-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) provides that the GST amount payable on a taxable supply is not assessable or exempt income of an entity. This applies in the context of a partial assignment of a right in which the assignor retains an amount to meet its obligation to pay GST so that that amount is not included in the assessable income of the assignor.

Assignment of various types of payment streams

70. Each of the payment streams arising from the contracts discussed below represents a right that is capable of assignment according to the principles discussed in paragraphs 23 to 33. The right to the payment stream is property of a kind that fits the description of an interest in a matter mentioned in item 2 of subregulation 40-5.09(3).

Loan agreements

71. A loan is a financial supply under item 2 provided the requirements of subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied, as it is the provision of an interest in or under a credit arrangement or right to credit. The loan agreement also gives rise to a presently existing right to receive payments of principal and interest from the debtor.

72. The presently existing right to the payment stream is property and an interest in debt for the purposes of regulation 40-5.02. Assignment of this property is the disposal^[F43] of an interest in a debt for GST purposes. The disposal of the interest, by way of assignment, is a financial supply if the requirements of subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied.

Finance and operating leases

73. While there are differences between finance and operating leases, these are not relevant in determining the GST consequences of an assignment of the right to the payment stream. Under either type of lease the agreement typically provides for periodic payments, from the lessee, over the term of the lease, plus the residual amount in the case of a finance lease. Both the periodic payments and the residual amount are part of the payment stream, the right to which exists under the particular lease agreement.

74. The residual amount under a finance lease is recovered by the lessor, by offering the asset for public sale, in the first instance. The lessee is required to meet any shortfall in the sale proceeds up to the residual amount and may receive anything in excess of this amount. Neither the payment of a shortfall nor receipt of an excess has any GST consequences for the assignment of the right to the payment stream.^[F44]

75. Both types of lease agreement are for a taxable supply provided the requirements of section 9-5 are satisfied. Each lease agreement also gives rise to a presently existing right to the payment stream that is property and an interest for the purposes of regulation 40-5.02.

76. Assignment of this property is the disposal of an interest in or under a debt for GST purposes. The disposal of this interest is a financial supply if the requirements of subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied. Disposal of this interest does not affect the obligation of the assignor to remit GST on the taxable supply by way of the lease.

Residential/commercial property leases

77. A real property lease gives rise to a presently existing right to receive rental payments for the term of the lease. Typically leases also include options for further leases upon conclusion of the current term. A commercial property lease is a taxable supply provided the requirements of section 9-5 are satisfied.

78. The presently existing right to the payment stream under a current lease is property and an interest in debt for the purposes of regulation 40-5.02. The right to a payment stream under a lease yet to come into existence, because it is dependent on the exercise of an option, is future property.^[F45] A right to future property is also an interest for the purposes of regulation 40-5.02.

79. The assignment or agreement to assign these forms of property is the disposal of an interest in a debt for GST purposes. The disposal of the interest is a financial supply if the requirements of subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied. Disposal of this interest does not affect the obligation of the assignor to remit GST on the taxable supply by way of a commercial property lease.

Hire purchase agreements

80. For GST purposes supplies under some hire purchase agreements are treated as wholly taxable supplies. The supplies made under other agreements, where there is a separate charge for the credit component that is disclosed to the recipient of the goods, may partly constitute financial supplies.^[F46] The difference is irrelevant for the purposes of determining the GST consequences of an assignment of the right to the payment stream arising from either type of agreement.

81. A hire purchase agreement gives rise to a presently existing right to receive regular payments from the debtor. In some circumstances receipt of the final payment may be contingent on the option to purchase the goods being exercised. Even though the payment may be subject to a contingency, the right to the payment stream, under an existing hire purchase agreement, is a presently existing right that is property and an interest for the purposes of regulation 40-5.02.

82. Assignment of this property is the disposal of an interest in a debt for GST purposes. The disposal of the interest is a financial supply if the requirements of subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied. Disposal of this interest does not affect the obligation of the assignor to remit GST on the taxable component of a supply by way of a hire purchase agreement.

Royalties

83. The supply that is the subject of a royalty agreement or licence is a taxable supply where the requirements of section 9-5 are satisfied. The agreement or licence may provide for payment of royalties that is subject to contingences such as certain production levels being reached or commodity prices achieving certain levels. Even though payments may be subject to contingencies, the right to the payment stream, under an existing agreement or licence, is a presently existing right that is property and an interest for the purposes of regulation 40-5.02.

84. Assignment of this property is the disposal of an interest in a debt for GST purposes. The disposal of the interest, by way of assignment, is a financial supply if the requirements of subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied. Disposal of this interest does not affect the obligation of the assignor to remit GST on the taxable supply underlying the royalty agreement or licence.

Credit card receivables

85. A credit card receivable arises from a financial supply of an interest under a credit arrangement or a right to credit, under item 2 of subregulation 40-5.09(3) provided the requirements of subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied. A feature of a credit card receivable is that it is usually paid off in a relatively short timeframe. Accordingly arrangements for the assignment of this type of debt may provide for continual assignments, under a master agreement, of the right to debts as they arise.

86. Each assignment of credit card receivables, under such an arrangement, will represent presently existing debts incurred by cardholders. The right to these debts is property and an interest for the purposes of regulation 40-5.02.

87. Assignment of this property is the disposal of an interest in a debt for GST purposes. The disposal of the interest, by way of assignment, is a financial supply if the requirements of subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied.

Debt factoring

88. Debt factoring and invoice discounting arrangements commonly involve the assignment of debts by a business to a factor or discounter on a once off or regular basis for an immediate payment. Essentially the difference between the arrangements is that under debt factoring the factor provides additional services of managing the sales ledger which are referred to as sales accounting services. Both arrangements may be regarded as debt factoring arrangements.

89. Debt factoring arrangements have gained popularity largely because they allow for improved cash flow management and can be a more flexible and cheaper alternative to traditional funding sources. Under the arrangements, book debts are sold to the debt factor for a price that is less than the face value of the debts. The difference between the face value and the purchase price is referred to as a 'discount fee'. Under a factoring arrangement an administration fee is also charged for provision of the sales accounting service. Sales accounting services entail administration of the sales ledger and collection functions by the factor.

90. Under both debt factoring and invoice discounting the assignment of the book debts is the disposal of an interest in a debt under item 2 in the GST regulations. The assignment is for consideration being the discounted purchase price of the book debts and is therefore a financial supply so long as the other requirements in subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied.

91. Sales accounting services, on the other hand, are not financial supplies.^[F47] As this service is usually provided for a separate fee it will constitute a taxable supply provided the other requirements in section 9-5 are satisfied. Consideration for the sales accounting service may be represented by a reduction in the price paid to acquire the debts. In these circumstances the sales accounting fee is taken to have been 'netted off' against the consideration for the debts and represents consideration for the taxable supply.

Securitisation

92. A securitisation arrangement is a complex set of transactions involving a number of entities in the establishment and ongoing maintenance of the arrangement. The major transactions in a typical securitisation arrangement have already been described simply at paragraph 15. They include the sale of receivables to an SPV and the issue of debt securities (or notes) by that entity to fund the acquisition of the receivables.

93. The receivables sold to the SPV will usually arise from loans, leases, rentals, trade or credit card debts and any associated collateral rights. In some cases however what is sold will be the underlying property that is the subject of the receivables agreement, for example, real property, motor vehicles or office equipment.

94. Where ownership of the underlying asset passes to the SPV, the GST consequences of transactions following the change in ownership will be determined by reference to the circumstances of the SPV. The focus of the discussion below is on those arrangements where only the rights to payment streams are transferred to the SPV.

95. Even though most securitisation structures are essentially similar they may vary according to the objectives of the originating institution, the assets involved and the targeted investors. Where the arrangements for a particular securitisation structure or the transactions inherent in that structure do not correspond with the arrangements or transactions described in this Public Ruling, you may apply for a private ruling.

Typical transactions

96. The following diagram and related discussion sets out those elements and transactions common to the majority of typical securitisation arrangements.

97. The GST consequences associated with each of the following transactions are contained in Schedule 1. The schedule is constructed on the basis that the issue of debt securities is not GST-free and no entitlement to an input tax credit is available other than a reduced input tax credit. Where debt securities are issued offshore, an entitlement to an input tax credit may arise to the extent that the acquisitions relate directly or indirectly to any GST-free portion of the issue^[F48] of the debt securities.

Step 1: Creation of the special purpose vehicle

98. The majority of typical securitisation arrangements are conducted through a trust program set up by the originator. The general framework of the program is established under a master trust deed with collateral agreements and instruments governing the operation of the program.

99. The master trust deed does not actually create any trusts but provides for the establishment of an unlimited number of trusts, referred to as special purpose vehicles, as the need arises. A separate SPV is created for each series of notes issued. Acquisitions which relate to the establishment of the program are taken to be made in carrying on the enterprise of the originator for the purposes of subsection 11-15(1), however for the purposes of 11-15(2)(a) they relate to an input taxed supply being the assignment of the payment stream.

100. Individual SPVs are created by issue of a notice of creation of a trust. The notice of creation of a trust is usually accompanied by a series notice, supplemental trust deed or similar instrument which sets out the detailed terms of the trust by incorporating or amending the master trust deed as required for that particular series.

101. The trustee of the trust is usually a professional trustee company specialising in these activities. The trust is an entity pursuant to section 184-1.

Step 2: Assignment of receivables to the SPV

102. The securitisation process commences with the identification of suitable receivables such as mortgages, finance lease or hire purchase contracts (collectively referred to as receivables agreements). The originator may take the receivables from its own portfolio or purchase them from a third party.

103. Once sufficient receivables have been identified, an offer is made to sell and assign the beneficial interest in the receivables to the SPV, for that series, by issue of a sale notice according to the terms of an associated purchase agreement or other relevant transaction document. Upon acceptance of the offer there is an equitable assignment of an interest in the rights to the receivables to the SPV.

104. The SPV finances the purchase by issuing debt securities backed by the pool of assets which are the sole assets of the SPV. The consideration provided is usually based on the net present value of the payment stream.

Step 3: Provision of trustee services

105. The trustee has a general power to exercise all rights, powers and discretions over the assets of the trust but is subject to direction by the manager in the exercise of such powers. Without limiting the general powers, a number of specific powers are usually set out in the transaction documents.^[F49]

Step 4: Provision of servicer services

106. Under the transaction documents a servicer is appointed primarily to manage the collection of the payment stream for the SPV as beneficial owner. The originator is usually the servicer of the receivables agreements although this function may also be delegated or subcontracted^[F50] to another entity. Under the latter type of arrangement the originator remains liable for the performance of the services in accordance with the transaction documents.

107. Under the securitisation documents, servicer services are described as including activities an originator undertakes in relation to receivables it has originated after the initial settlement of the agreement. Such activities may include things done post-settlement of the receivables up to and including discharge, for example provision of payment processing and statement preparation, maintaining security interests, and collection of arrears. The supply of these activities is a taxable supply of services if the requirements of section 9-5 are satisfied.^[F51]

108. The acquisition of the supply of services for which the servicer fee is paid is not a creditable acquisition of the SPV as it relates to the input taxed acquisition supply of the payment stream. However, an entitlement to a reduced input tax credit under regulation 70 5.02 will arise for the SPV in respect of this acquisition. The entitlement may arise, for example, under items 14, 15 and/or 17 of subregulation 70 5.02(2).^[F52]

109. In making the taxable supply of services to the SPV, the servicer will make acquisitions that relate to the supply. These acquisitions will be for a creditable purpose to the extent that they relate to the supply of those services to the SPV. The acquisitions will give rise to an entitlement to an input tax credit if the other requirements of section 11-5 are satisfied.^[F52A]

Step 5: Provision of manager services

110. The duties and obligations of the trust manager are usually set out in the Master Trust Deed. The manager has full and complete powers of management over the day to day operations of the SPV.^[F53]

Step 6: Provision of custodial services

111. Custodial services are provided to ensure the safekeeping of the associated documentation in relation to the assets acquired by the SPV. Custodial services may be provided by the originator, in its capacity as servicer, or another entity.

112. The custodian is required to hold the documents in accordance with procedures contained in the relevant transaction document. The procedures usually require the custodian to keep the documents relating to securitised receivables separate from other similar documents and to report on movements of the documents.^[F54]

Step 7: Provision of liquidity support

113. Under a liquidity facility, the liquidity facility provider agrees to make advances to the trustee for the purpose of funding certain income shortfalls in the trust up to predetermined limits.^[F55]

Step 8: Provision of credit enhancement

114. Credit enhancement, where used, is to protect investors by absorbing credit losses, thereby improving the credit rating and marketability of the securities issued by the SPV.

115. As investors are not normally prepared to take on all the credit risks associated with the securitised receivables, asset-backed securities are usually provided with credit enhancement by a third-party bank or insurance company and sometimes by the originator. The most common forms^[F56] of credit enhancement are:

•

irrevocable letters of credit;

•

third party insurance;

•

spread accounts;

•

cash collateral accounts;

•

over-collateralisation; and

•

senior subordinated structures.

Different forms of enhancement may be combined in a single arrangement.

Step 9: Provision of ratings agency services

116. The ratings agency assesses the credit rating of the originator, the quality of the underlying assets, and the structure of the arrangement. This assessment will affect the extent of the credit enhancement provided or arranged, especially if the rating of the assets is lower than that desired by potential investors.^[F57]

Step 10: Provision of security trustee services

117. The SPV is normally required to give a mortgage or other security over its assets to a security trustee, which holds the benefit of the security on trust for all of the chargees as set out in the transaction documents from time to time. The usual form of security provided to the security trustee is a floating charge over the trust assets.

118. The charge secures the trustee's obligations under the various transaction documents and in relation to the notes issued by the SPV. The giving of the charge over the SPV's assets is a financial supply under item 3 of subregulation 40-5.09(3) if the other requirements in subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied.^[F58]

Step 11: Provision of swap facilities

119. Interest rate swap agreements are primarily entered into so that notes issued at a fixed rate or variable interest rate can be matched with income at an equivalent rate from the securitised receivables no matter what rate of interest is being paid on them.^[F59] Currency swaps may also be entered into if the notes are offered offshore. The swaps are generally governed according to industry standards such as those contained in an International Swaps and Derivatives Association Inc (ISDA) Master Agreement as amended by any supporting schedules.^[F60]

Step 12: Provision of underwriting services

120. There are two forms of underwriting. One only requires the underwriter to use their best endeavours to place the securities with investors while the other requires the underwriter to take up any unplaced securities up to an agreed number. The first is referred to as best endeavours underwriting and the underwriter is a financial supply facilitator in relation to the supply of the securities by the SPV. The underwriter's supply of services is a taxable supply to the SPV.^[F61]

121. In the other form of underwriting the placement service is complimented by an agreement to take up unsold securities. Taking up the unsold securities is the supply of an interest in securities (or a derivative) as described at items 10 or 11 in the table in subregulation 40-5.09(3). This is a financial supply if the other requirements in subregulation 40-5.09(1) are satisfied. In this circumstance the underwriting fee is consideration for both a taxable supply of placement services and a financial supply.^[F62]

Step 13: Supply of debt securities

122. Different classes of notes may be issued. The general arrangement is that there is one class of senior notes and one class of subordinated notes. In the case of mortgage backed loans special classes of notes may be issued to cover the repayment of a redraw granted by the originator. When an originator funds a redraw it is entitled to be reimbursed by the SPV. The SPV may finance the reimbursement in a number of ways one of which is the issue of different classes of notes.

123. The right to receive payments of interest under subordinate notes is subordinated to the rights of holders of the redraw funding securities, if any, and to the rights of senior note holders.

124. Definitive notes are not normally issued and it is common for one or more global notes of each class of offered notes to be recorded by book entry registration with a depository. Payments on the offered notes may be made through a paying agent on the nominated payment dates to those entities in whose name the notes are registered.

125. The notes may be offered for sale in Australia or on overseas capital markets. An offering in an offshore market may result in the supply of the notes being GST-free if the requirements of section 38-190 are satisfied.^[F63] Where the issue of notes is a GST-free supply, acquisitions in relation to that supply will be for a creditable purpose and the SPV will be entitled to claim full input tax credits on those acquisitions.

Is the SPV carrying on an enterprise?

126. The meaning of carrying on an enterprise for GST purposes is substantially the same as the definition of that expression in the A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 (ABN Act).^[F64] The SPV in a typical securitisation arrangement will be carrying on an enterprise if its activity or activities are done:

•

in the form of a business;

•

in the form of an adventure or concern in the nature of trade; and

•

on a regular or continuous basis, in the form of a lease, licence or other grant of an interest in property.^[F65]

127. The SPV in a securitisation arrangement is established for commercial reasons. Investors are invited to invest in professionally managed debt securities issued by the trustee. The relationship between investors, the trustee and the manager is governed by a trust deed, a prospectus and the Corporations Act 2001.

128. The SPV incurs regular expenses for the provision of support to it by a variety of contracted service providers. Investors receive regular payments of interest and principal amounts under the debt securities program offered by the SPV.

129. These activities are done in the form of a business and the SPV is therefore carrying on an enterprise and can register for GST purposes.^[F66]

Assignment of security interests^[F67]

130. In addition to the assignment of the right to the payment stream many securitisation arrangements also transfer an interest in any underlying security, associated with the payment stream, to the SPV. Security interests in this context range from traditional security such as mortgages to related security interests including guarantees, indemnities, insurance cover or any other mortgage, lien, charge, encumbrance, hypothecation, preferential right or trust arrangement.

131. The supply of the interest in the underlying security occurs at the same time as the supply of the right to the payment stream. Any consideration provided at the time of the assignment relates solely to the provision of the right to the payment stream and not to the supply of the interest in the underlying security.

Debt securities (borrowings) and the Financial Acquisitions Threshold

132. The SPV makes only financial supplies. These supplies are usually input taxed, or may be GST-free if they satisfy the requirements of section 38-190.^[F68] The financial acquisitions threshold^[F69] (FAT) is relevant in determining whether an entitlement to input tax credits exists in relation to acquisitions for the purpose of making input taxed supplies.

133. Entities that make financial supplies in the course of conducting their enterprise without exceeding the financial acquisitions threshold are entitled to input tax credits for acquisitions and importations that relate to making those financial supplies.^[F70]

134. A financial acquisition is an acquisition that relates to the making of a financial supply (other than a financial supply consisting of a borrowing). 'Borrowing' is defined in section 195-1 and includes the raising of funds by the issue of a bond, debenture, discounted security or other document evidencing indebtedness.

135. The issue of debt securities by an SPV therefore constitute a borrowing. The implications for the SPV are that its financial acquisitions do not include acquisitions to the extent they relate to the issue of the debt securities.^[F71] The SPV also makes acquisition supplies^[F72] of interests in debt when it acquires the right to the payment stream by way of assignment for consideration. The acquisitions that relate to this acquisition supply are financial acquisitions and will be included in the calculation of the FAT.

136. If the SPV exceeds the FAT it will not be eligible for full input tax credits on its acquisitions to make input taxed financial supplies, but may be on acquisitions related to GST-free financial supplies it makes. It is anticipated that most SPVs will exceed the FAT and not be eligible for input tax credits except to the extent they are entitled to reduced input tax credits on acquisitions mentioned in regulation 70-5.02.

137. The following table analyses acquisitions and indicates which are financial acquisitions for the purposes of the FAT. An acquisition need not relate to the making of an input taxed financial supply to be a financial acquisition. Division 189 applies to an acquisition that relates to the making of a supply that is a financial supply notwithstanding that GST-free treatment of the supply may override its input taxed status.^[F73]

Definitions

Assignee

138. The recipient of an interest in property by means of an assignment.

Assignor

139. The supplier of an interest in property by means of an assignment.

Cash Collateral Account

140. An account in which a deposit equal to the necessary credit enhancement is held for the benefit of holders of the securities. The account will be drawn down if and when losses occur. Cash advances are made to this account by the originator or a third party lender.

Chargees

141. The transaction documents will specify which entities are Chargees and will typically include:

•

the Security Trustee in relation to its rights (held in its own right or for the benefit of other Chargees) under the Security Trust Deed;

•

the Noteholders in relation to the rights under the Class of Notes held by them;

•

any Approved Seller in relation to any relevant Accrued Interest Adjustment;

•

the Chargor in relation to its rights as Trustee under the Trust Documents;

•

the Manager in relation to its rights as Manager under the Trust Documents;

•

the Servicer in relation to its rights as Servicer under the Trust Documents;

•

any Support Facility Provider in relation to its rights under each Support Facility to which it is a party; and

•

any swap provider under a Hedge Agreement in relation to its rights under that Hedge Agreement.

Chose in Action

142. An intangible personal property right recognised and protected by the law, which has no existence apart from the recognition given by the law, or which confers no present possession of a tangible object, such as the right to payment under a loan contract or the promise to pay on a bill of exchange.

Definitive notes

143. A document provided to each lender which evidences or acknowledges indebtedness to that lender for the amount recorded on the face of the note.

Depository

144. An entity which holds a financial product, or a beneficial interest in a financial product, in trust for, or on behalf of, a client or another person nominated by the client.

Equitable assignment

145. An assignment, which is not a legal assignment, but by which the creditor assigns the benefit of a contractual right owed by the debtor to an assignee by demonstrating an intention to assign.

Global Note

146. A document which evidences or acknowledges indebtedness to each person named for the amounts noted in a register, executed by a corporation issuing or raising debt. It is an alternative to issuing individual documents to each lender.

Irrevocable Letter of Credit

147. A documentary credit or standby letter of credit containing a definite undertaking by the issuing bank that it will perform its obligations according to the mode of realisation of the credit, provided that the stipulated documents are presented and the terms and conditions of the credit are complied with.

Legal Assignment

148. An absolute written assignment in which notice of the assignment of the benefit of a contractual right owed is given to the obligor.

Originator

149. The party that enters into receivables agreements with debtors as the creditor. When the originator sells/assigns an interest in the receivables to the SPV it is referred to as the 'assignor'.

Over-Collateralisation

150. A situation where the amount of the securitised receivables exceeds the amount of the securities issued. In such arrangements the excess collateral must be maintained at a level sufficient to provide the agreed amount of credit enhancement. If the value declines below that level the enhancer must fill the gap with new collateral.

Ratings Agency

151. A recognised rating agency that determines the rating of the securities issued.

Security Trustee

152. The program vehicle will normally be required to give a mortgage or other security over its assets to a security trustee, who holds the benefit of the security on trust for all the investors from time to time.

Senior Subordinated Structures

153. An arrangement that involves the issue of several classes or tranches of securities of varying seniority. As long as losses do not exceed the face value of the subordinated class(es), the senior class(es) will be repaid in full. The most junior (usually unrated) tranche is often retained by the originating institution.

Servicer

154. This entity, often the originator, continues to manage the assets (as the servicer) after they have been acquired by the program vehicle.

Spread Account

155. A first loss account that is established to absorb credit losses ahead of any securities on issue. Funding of the account is either by initial deposit from the originating institution or a third party, and/or accumulated from excess income over and above the expenses of the transaction that would otherwise flow back to the originating institution.

Third Party Insurance

156. A form of insurance cover against the first portion of default risk.

Title perfection

157. Action taken by the entity with a beneficial interest in the securitised receivables to obtain legal title in and to them following a title perfection event as defined.

Trustee

158. In structures that use a trust as the SPV, this will normally be a professional trustee company. Its role is usually fairly limited, with the day-to-day administration of the SPV being carried out by the manager.

Typical securitisation arrangement

158A. A typical securitisation arrangement has the following features:

•

an originator of receivables assigns in equity, for valuable consideration, all of its right, title, benefit, and interest in the receivables, together with any related security interest, to an SPV;

•

the originator continues to preserve and account for the receivables to the SPV; and

•

the transaction documents identify a number of elements of consideration for the receivables which are calculated by reference to the face value of the receivables.

Detailed contents list

159. Below is a detailed contents list for this Goods and Services Tax Ruling:

Commissioner of Taxation
26 May 2004

Schedule 1

Previously released in draft form as GSTR 2003/D6.

References

ATO references:
NO 2003/005794

Related Rulings/Determinations:

GSTD 2000/8
GSTD 2001/2
GSTR 1999/1
GSTR 2000/2
GSTR 2000/17
GSTR 2000/34
GSTR 2000/35
GSTR 2001/8
GSTR 2002/2
GSTR 2003/8
GSTR 2003/9
GSTR 2003/11
GSTR 2004/1
GSTR 2006/9
MT 2000/1

Subject References:
acquisition
apportionment
assignment
debt
disposal
financial acquisitions threshold
financial supply
input taxed supply
interest
interest in
interest under
provision
taxable supply

Legislative References:
ANTS(GST)A99 9-5
ANTS(GST)A99 11-5
ANTS(GST)A99 11-15
ANTS(GST)A99 11-15(1)
ANTS(GST)A99 11-15(2)(a)
ANTS(GST)A99 Div 21
ANTS(GST)A99 21-5
ANTS(GST)A99 21-15
ANTS(GST)A99 Div 29
ANTS(GST)A99 29-5
ANTS(GST)A99 29-5(1)
ANTS(GST)A99 29-5(2)
ANTS(GST)A99 29-70
ANTS(GST)A99 29-70(2)
ANTS(GST)A99 38-190
ANTS(GST)A99 Div 156
ANTS(GST)A99 184-1
ANTS(GST)A99 Div 189
ANTS(GST)A99 195-1
ITAA 1997 17-5
TAA 1953 37
A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999
Corporations Act 2001
ANTS(GST)R99 40-5.02
ANTS(GST)R99 40-5.04
ANTS(GST)R99 40-5.09
ANTS(GST)R99 40-5.09(1)
ANTS(GST)R99 40-5.09(3)
ANTS(GST)R99 40-5.12
ANTS(GST)R99 70-5.02
ANTS(GST)R99 70-5.02(2)
ANTS(GST)R99 Sch 7
Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) 12
Property Law Act 1974 (QLD) 199
Property Law Act 1974 (QLD) 200
Law of Property Act 1936 (SA) 15
Conveyancing and Law of Property Act 1984 (Tas) 86
Property Law Act 1958 (Vic) 134
Property Law Act 1969 (WA) 20
Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance 1958 (ACT) 3
Property Act 1860 (SA) 19

Case References:
Booth v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation
(1987) 164 CLR 159
87 ATC 5100
19 ATR 514

Federal Commissioner of Taxation v. Everett
(1978) 78 ATC 4595
(1978) 9 ATR 211
(1978) 38 FLR 26
Federal Commissioner of Taxation v. Everett
(1980) 143 CLR 440
80 ATC 4076
10 ATR 608
Norman v. FCT
(1963) 109 CLR 9
Olson v. Dyson
(1969) 120 CLR 365
Pyramid Building Society (In Liq) v. Terry & Another
(1997) 189 CLR 176
Shepherd v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation
(1965) 113 CLR 385
Tailby v. Official Receiver
(1888) 13 App Cas 523
Valance v. The Queen
(1961) 108 CLR 56

Other References:
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (2000), 'The Australian Securitisation Market', Working Paper 6, October 2000.
D Skapinker, The Principles of Equity, 2nd ed, P. Parkinson, Chapter Thirteen: 'Equitable Assignments', Lawbook Co, Pyrmont, NSW, 2003.
Mallesons Stephen Jacques, Australian Finance Law, 4th ed, LBC Information Services, Pyrmont, NSW, 1999