Taxation Ruling
TR 2001/2
Fringe benefits tax: the operation of the new fringe benefits tax gross-up formula to apply from 1 April 2000
| Contents | Para |
|---|---|
| What this Ruling is about | |
| Ruling | |
| Date of effect | |
| Explanations | |
| Examples | |
| Detailed contents list |
Preamble
| This publication (excluding appendixes) is a public ruling for the purposes of the Taxation Administration Act 1953.
A public ruling is an expression of the Commissioner's opinion about the way in which a relevant provision applies, or would apply, to entities generally or to a class of entities in relation to a particular scheme or a class of schemes. If you rely on this ruling, the Commissioner must apply the law to you in the way set out in the ruling (unless the Commissioner is satisfied that the ruling is incorrect and disadvantages you, in which case the law may be applied to you in a way that is more favourable for you - provided the Commissioner is not prevented from doing so by a time limit imposed by the law). You will be protected from having to pay any underpaid tax, penalty or interest in respect of the matters covered by this ruling if it turns out that it does not correctly state how the relevant provision applies to you. [ Note: This is a consolidated version of this document. Refer to the Tax Office Legal Database (http://law.ato.gov.au) to check its currency and to view the details of all changes.] |
What this Ruling is about
Class of person/arrangement
1. This Ruling applies to employers that provide fringe benefits [1] and have to determine their fringe benefits tax liability.
2. The purpose of this Ruling is to explain the operation of the new fringe benefits tax (FBT) gross-up formula that applies from 1 April 2000. The new gross-up formula was introduced, under the A New Tax System (Fringe Benefits) Act 2000, to take into account the effect of input tax credits [2] being able to be claimed, where applicable, in respect of goods and services tax (GST) paid on some fringe benefits.
2A. From 1 April 2000 employers will use the new (higher or Type 1) gross-up formula where fringe benefits are provided and there is an entitlement to input tax credits. Also, from 1 April 2000, employers will continue to use the former (lower or Type 2) gross-up formula where fringe benefits are provided and there is no entitlement to input tax credits. Grossing-up affects the calculation of the fringe benefits taxable amount, [2A] the calculation of the FBT rebate [2B] and the calculation of the employee's reportable fringe benefits amount. [2C]
3. Refer also to Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2001/3 Goods and services tax: GST and how it applies to supplies of fringe benefits.
4. Certain terms used in this Ruling are legislatively defined terms or whose meaning is explained in the Ruling. These terms, when first mentioned in the body of the Ruling, appear in bold type.
4A. In this Ruling references to 'GST Act' are references to the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999.
5. Unless otherwise stated, all legislative references in this Ruling are to the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 (FBTAA).
Ruling
Fringe Benefits Taxable Amount From 1 April 2000
6. From the 2000-2001 FBT year an employer will calculate the employer's fringe benefits taxable amount by classifying fringe benefits into 2 types of aggregate fringe benefits amounts, grouped according to whether there was an entitlement to GST input tax credits.
7. The first type is an 'employer's type 1 aggregate fringe benefits amount', [2D] being those fringe benefits where there is an entitlement to a GST input tax credit to the provider. The second type is the 'employer's type 2 aggregate fringe benefits amount' [2E] being those fringe benefits where there are no entitlements to GST input tax credits to the provider.
8. The employer's type 1 aggregate fringe benefits amount is grossed-up using the new (higher or Type 1) gross-up formula. The employer's type 2 aggregate fringe benefits amount is grossed-up using the former (lower or Type 2) gross-up formula.
9. Employers that are public benevolent institutions [3] or are certain not-for-profit, non-government employers, have to calculate the employee's type 1 and type 2 'individual base non-exempt amounts'[3A] and the employee's 'individual base non-rebatable amounts' [3B] respectively.
10. Fringe benefits tax payable will be the fringe benefits taxable amount multiplied by the fringe benefits tax rate. Refer to Table 1 at paragraph 48A for the FBT rates of tax applying to particular FBT years.
Excluded Fringe Benefits and the Employer's Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount
11. Excluded fringe benefits [4] are only 'excluded' from being reported on an employee's payment summary. They are not 'excluded' from being part of the employer's aggregate fringe benefits amount [5] on which the employer's FBT liability is based.
Employer's Type 1 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount
12. The 'type 1 aggregate fringe benefits amount' represents the total taxable values of fringe benefits (including any excluded fringe benefits) that are GST-creditable benefits under section 149A (see paragraph 35 for the meaning of a GST-creditable benefit).
13. A GST-creditable benefit arises in either of the situations where:
- •
- The person, or another member of the same GST group, who provided the fringe benefit (or excluded fringe benefit) is entitled to an input tax credit for that benefit by the operation of Division 111 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (GST Act).
- •
- The fringe benefit (or excluded fringe benefit), is a 'thing [6]', that was acquired or imported by the person, or another member of the same GST group, and either that person or that member of the same GST group is entitled to a GST input tax credit because of that acquisition or importation of the thing.
14. The classification of a fringe benefit (or excluded fringe benefit) as a type 1 benefit does not depend on the extent of the GST input tax credit entitlement to the provider. Nor does the classification as a type 1 benefit depend on whether the input tax credit is subsequently claimed. The test is whether there is any entitlement to a GST input tax credit.
Higher Gross-up Formula for Type 1 Benefits
15. Type 1 benefits are grossed-up to a tax inclusive value by applying the higher Type 1 FBT gross-up formula. For the 2001 FBT year the higher Type 1 FBT gross-up formula results in a gross-up rate of 2.1292 where the FBT rate is 48.5% and the GST rate is 10%. Refer to Table 1 at paragraph 48A for the gross-up rates that apply to subsequent FBT years.
Employer's Type 2 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount
16. The type 2 aggregate fringe benefits amount represents the total taxable values of all other fringe benefits (or excluded fringe benefits) provided to employees, or their associates, that do not fall within the classification of type 1 fringe benefits. A type 2 benefit is one where the provider was not entitled to a GST input tax credit.
GST-free and Input Taxed Benefits
17. Fringe benefits (including excluded fringe benefits) that are either wholly GST-free [7] or input taxed [8] cannot be classified as a type 1 benefit and consequently must be a type 2 benefit.
Other Benefits for which there is no entitlement to an Input Tax Credit
18. Some fringe benefits may be supplied that do not entitle the provider to GST input tax credits under the GST Act. These are fringe benefits where the acquisition does not meet the requirements for being a creditable acquisition under section 11-5 of the GST Act. Such benefits cannot be classified as type 1 benefits and consequently must be type 2 benefits.
Lower Gross-up Formula for Type 2 Benefits
19. Type 2 benefits are grossed-up to a tax inclusive value by applying the lower Type 2 FBT gross-up formula. For the 2001 FBT year the lower Type 2 FBT gross-up formula results in a gross-up rate of 1.9417 where the FBT rate is 48.5%. Refer to Table 2 at paragraph 60A for the gross-up rates that apply to subsequent FBT years.
Employee's Type 1 and Type 2 Individual Base Non-Exempt Amounts and Employee's Type 1 and Type 2 Individual Base Non-Rebatable Amounts
20. The higher gross-up provisions also apply to the calculation of fringe benefits eligible for exemption under section 57A and the amount of rebate available to certain not-for-profit, non-government employers under section 65J. Employers in these situations need to calculate the type 1 and type 2 individual base non-exempt amounts [9] for each employee using the same categorisation rules as above and subsequently applying the higher or lower gross-up formulas. The employer is required to follow essentially the same procedure for the type 1 and type 2 individual base non-rebatable amounts.
From 1 April 2016: salary packaged entertainment benefits
20A. In addition for these section 57A exempt and section 65J rebatable employers, from 1 April 2016, the provision of salary packaged entertainment benefits remain eligible for exemption or rebate, however are now capped at up to $5,000 of the grossed-up taxable value of fringe benefits for each employee (refer to Table 3 at paragraph 72A).[10]
20B. For employers exempt under section 57A, the new sections 5B(1M) and 5B(1E) provide for the $5,000 salary packaged entertainment benefits exemption. For rebatable employers, the new sections 65J(2J) and 65J(2B) provide for the $5,000 salary packaged entertainment benefits rebate.
20C. For these employers, the grossed-up taxable value of salary packaged entertainment benefits will be determined following the same procedure for determining type 1 and type 2 individual base non-exempt amounts (for exemption purposes) and type 1 and type 2 individual base non-rebatable amounts (for rebate purposes).
Value of Fringe Benefits from 1 July 2000
21. The calculation of the taxable value of a fringe benefit (or excluded fringe benefit) will be the GST-inclusive value [11], as appropriate.
Value of Employee Contributions from 1 July 2000
22. When calculating the taxable value of a fringe benefit the value of a recipient's payment [12] or a recipients contribution [13] will be the GST-inclusive value, as appropriate.
Reportable Fringe Benefits Amounts
23. The higher FBT gross-up formula will not affect the calculation of an employee's reportable fringe benefits amount [14] for a year of income. An employer will continue to gross-up the employee's individual fringe benefits amount [15] using the lower gross-up formula when determining the amount to be shown on the employee's payment summary. The higher FBT gross-up formula only applies to the calculation of an employer's FBT liability.
Income Tax and Fringe Benefits From 1 July 2000
24. Income tax deductions for the cost of the fringe benefits will be at the GST-exclusive value [16] where there is an entitlement to a GST input tax credit in respect of the fringe benefit. If there is no entitlement to a GST input tax credit from the provision of the fringe benefit, the income tax deduction will be the full amount paid or incurred on the relevant acquisition.
25. Where either a recipient's payment or a recipients contribution, that is consideration for a taxable supply [17], is added to an employer's assessable income, such payment or contribution will be added for income tax purposes at the GST-exclusive value.
26. Where the otherwise deductible rule [18] applies, the calculation of the taxable value of a fringe benefit is reduced by the hypothetical deduction to which the employee would have been entitled had the employee incurred the expense. In these situations, the employer takes into account the GST-inclusive value, as applicable.
Date of effect
27. This ruling applies from 1 April 2000 onwards.
Explanations
Fringe Benefits Taxable Amount Prior To 1 April 2000
28. Prior to the 2000 - 2001 FBT year an employer's fringe benefits taxable amount was calculated using the following formula:
(Aggregate fringe benefits amount * (1 / [1 - FBT rate]))
29. The aggregate fringe benefits amount above consisted of the sum of each employee's individual fringe benefits amounts plus the taxable values of all excluded fringe benefits.
30. The former FBT gross-up formula of:
(1 / (1 - FBT rate))
resulted in a lower gross-up rate of 1.9417. The FBT rate was 48.5%, being the highest marginal tax rate plus the medicare levy.
31. The amount of fringe benefits tax payable was arrived at by applying the FBT tax rate of 48.5% to the employer's fringe benefits taxable amount.
Fringe Benefits Taxable Amount From 1 April 2000
32. Under subsection 5B(1A), an employer's fringe benefits taxable amount for the FBT year of tax 2000-2001 and later years is the sum of amounts calculated under subsections 5B(1B), 5B(1C) and, where applicable, 5B(1D).
33. The subsection 5B(1B) amount is worked out using the formula:
Employer's Type 1 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount
34. Subsection 5C(3) contains the method statement of how to work out an employer's type 1 aggregate fringe benefits amount. Steps 1 and 3 in the method statement require the employer to identify the fringe benefits and excluded fringe benefits that are GST-creditable benefits.
35. Section 149A defines a GST creditable benefit as follows:
- (1)
- A benefit provided in respect of the employment of an employee is a GST-creditable benefit if either of the following is or was entitled to an input tax credit under Division 111 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 because of the provision of the benefit:
- (a)
- the person who provided the benefit;
- (b)
- a person who is or was a member of the same GST group (as defined in that Act) as the person who provided the benefit.
- (2)
- A benefit provided in respect of the employment of an employee is also a GST-creditable benefit if:
- (a)
- the benefit consists of:
- (i)
- a thing (as defined in the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999; or
- (ii)
- an interest in such a thing; or
- (iii)
- a right over such a thing; or
- (iv)
- a personal right to call for or be granted any interest in or right over such a thing; or
- (v)
- a licence to use such a thing; or
- (vi)
- any other contractual right exercisable over or in relation to such a thing; and
- (b)
- the thing was acquired (within the meaning of that Act) or imported (within the meaning of that Act) and either of the following is or was entitled to an input tax credit under that Act because of the acquisition or importation:
- (i)
- the person who provided the benefit;
- (ii)
- a person who is or was a member of the same GST group (as defined in that Act) as the person who provided the benefit.
36. Section 149A(1) states that a GST-creditable benefit arises where there is an entitlement to an input tax credit because of Division 111 of the GST Act. Division 111 of the GST Act allows an entity to obtain input tax credits for expense payment benefits [19].
37. Division 111 of the GST Act potentially applies where an employee, or his/her associate[20], incurs an expense. This can involve the employee paying the expense but does not necessarily require the employee to pay the provider prior to reimbursement.
38. However, where an employee incurs an expense as the employer's agent, for example, in purchasing office stationery on the employer's behalf, the acquisition is made by the employer and not the employee. Hence, Division 111 does not apply. Because the acquisition is made by the employer there is no need for Division 111 to treat a payment as if it is consideration for an acquisition.
39. The creditable acquisitions requirements set out in section 11-5 of the GST Act are modified by section 111-5 of the GST Act. Division 111 of the GST Act treats payments to employees in the form of expense payment benefits as consideration for an acquisition made by the employer so that the employer is entitled to an input tax credit as if the employer had acquired the thing directly from a supplier.
40. The payment of the expense incurred by the employee can be either by way of reimbursement to the employee or by direct payment to the supplier of the goods or services to the employee.
Example 1
41. Riccardo and Kylie are employees of Archimedes Ltd, a manufacturer of bathroom supplies, who is registered for GST. On 23 September 2000, Riccardo paid his golf club membership fees of $220 using his corporate credit card for which he is individually liable. Kylie paid $1,100 on 30 September 2000 to Funresort Ltd, using her private credit card, for her intended holiday in the Whitsundays. Both the golf club and Funresort Ltd are registered for GST.
42. Archimedes Ltd agreed to pay the liability originally incurred by Riccardo and also agreed to specifically pay the expense of the holiday incurred by Kylie using her private credit card. Archimedes Ltd would, under Division 111 of the GST Act, be entitled to input tax credits of $20(1/11th of $220) for the reimbursement to Riccardo and $100(1/11th of $1,100) for the payment to Kylie. Consequently, both of these fringe benefits would be type 1 benefits.
43. Section 149A(2) states that GST-creditable benefits can also be other types of benefits depending on the way in which the 'thing', that has been acquired or imported, is made available to the employee. The provisions would, therefore, cover benefits that arise from the employee's use of a 'thing' such as a car.
Example 2
44. Archimedes Ltd provides the following benefits to its employees from 1 July 2000:
- •
- Riccardo is provided with a home entertainment unit purchased by Archimedes Ltd for $2,200 from a retail electrical store on 12 August 2000.
- •
- Kylie is provided with a car by way of novated lease, during the period 1 July 2000 to 31 March 2001. The lease payments totalled $3,300.
45. Archimedes Ltd would be entitled to input tax credits of $200(1/11th of $2,200) in respect of the home entertainment unit and $300 (1/11th of $3,300) input tax credits in respect of the lease payments. Archimedes Ltd would treat both the property fringe benefit and the car fringe benefits as type 1 benefits. The taxable value of the property fringe benefit provided to Riccardo was $2,200. The taxable value of the car fringe benefits provided to Kylie was $3,300.
46. The provisions of section 149A also apply to GST group arrangements. A benefit will be a GST-creditable benefit where another member of a GST group, rather than the person who is providing the benefit, is entitled to GST input tax credits in respect of the benefit being provided.
Higher Gross-up Formula
47. The higher gross-up formula to be applied to type 1 benefits under subsection 5B(1B) is:
(FBT rate + GST rate) / ((1 - FBT rate) * (1 - GST rate) * (FBT rate))
48. For the 2001 FBT year where the FBT rate is 48.5% and the GST rate is 10% the formula becomes:
(0.485 + 0.1) / ((1 - 0.485) * (1 - 0.1) * (0.485))
= (0.585 / 0.2747525)
= 2. 1292
The higher gross-up rate is therefore 2.1292.
Table 1: FBT rates and Type 1 gross-up rates for Type 1 benefits
48A. The FBT rate of tax and the resultant higher Type 1 gross-up rate for the FBT year commencing 1 April 2000 and future years[20A] are provided in the following table (where the GST rate is 10%):
| FBT year(s) | FBT rate of tax | Type 1 gross-up rate for Type 1 benefits |
| 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2006 | 48.5% | 2.1292 |
| 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2014 | 46.5% | 2.0647 |
| 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 | 47% | 2.0802 |
| 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 | 49% | 2.1463 |
| 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 | 49% | 2.1463 |
Example 3
49. Using the data from Examples 1 and 2, Archimedes Ltd would work out its Type 1 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount as follows:
| Riccardo's | golf club fees | $ 220 |
| Riccardo's | home entertainment unit | $2,200 |
| Kylie's | holiday | $1,100 |
| Kylie's | use of the car | $3,300 |
| Total | of type 1 benefits | $6,820 |
Table 1 at paragraph 48A shows the Type 1 gross-up rate for the 2001 FBT year as 2.1292.
Type 1 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount
$6,820 * 2.1292 = $14,521
50. The subsection 5B(1C) amount is worked out using the formula:
Type 2 aggregate fringe benefits amount * (1 / [1 - FBT rate])
Employer's Type 2 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount
51. Subsection 5C(4) contains the method statement of how to work out an employer's type 2 aggregate fringe benefits amount. Steps 1 and 3 in the method statement require the employer to identify the fringe benefits and excluded fringe benefits that are not type 1 benefits. Consequently, if a fringe benefit or excluded fringe benefit is not a type 1 benefit it will be a type 2 benefit.
Benefits 'Not Acquired' or 'Not Imported'
52. The 'thing' referred to in subparagraphs 149A(2)(a)(i) to (vi) inclusive must have been acquired or imported. The 'test' for determining which gross-up rate to use is whether the acquisition, or importation, of the 'thing' used to provide the benefit resulted in an entitlement to an input tax credit to the provider. If the relevant 'thing' has neither been acquired nor imported (e.g., manufactured) it cannot be a type 1 benefit and will be a type 2 benefit.
Example 4
53. Archimedes Ltd, on 5 August 2000, provided a bathtub it manufactured to Riccardo. The bathtub was identical to those normally sold to retailers and had an in-house property fringe benefit taxable value of $1,500[21]. Archimedes Ltd would treat the provision of the bathtub as a type 2 benefit as it was not 'acquired' for the purposes of section 149A.
GST-free and Input Taxed Benefits
54. The provision of a fringe benefit may, in some instances, either be a GST-free supply or an input taxed supply under the GST Act. A provider of the benefit in these situations has no entitlement to a GST input tax credit.
55. Supplies of fringe benefits that are either GST-free or input taxed do not meet the requirements for being creditable acquisitions under section 149A. As no GST input tax credit is available to the provider, the benefits cannot be type 1 benefits. Accordingly, such benefits will be type 2 benefits.[21A]
Example 5
56. Archimedes Ltd agreed on 8 September 2000 to pay for the long-term residential accommodation in a major city for Riccardo. The cost of the accommodation was $5,000. Archimedes Ltd, on the same date, paid $2,000 in private school fees for the children of Kylie. As the supply of the residential accommodation was input taxed, Archimedes Ltd would treat this as a type 2 benefit. The payment of the school fees, the supply of which was GST-free, would also be treated as a type 2 benefit.
Other Benefits For Which There Is No Entitlement To An Input Tax Credit
57. Some other benefits may be supplied that do not entitle the provider of the benefit to GST input tax credits under the GST Act. These are fringe benefits where the acquisition does not meet the requirements for being a creditable acquisition under section 11-5 of the GST Act or such an acquisition is denied from being a creditable acquisition by the operation of some other section of the GST Act.
Example 6
58. Euripides Pty Ltd, on 23 November 2000, gave each of its two employees a new television set costing $1,100. The company neither makes nor sells television sets. Euripides Pty Ltd has an annual turnover of less than $50,000 and has decided not to register for GST. As the company is not registered it is not entitled to claim GST input tax credits on the televisions it provided to the employees. The property fringe benefits provided would be type 2 benefits.
Example 7
59. Plato Ltd, who is registered for GST, has agreed under a salary sacrifice arrangement to pay the private credit card bills of an employee Sue-Lee. Any payments made by Plato Ltd under the agreement are not for any specific purchases by Sue-Lee but to pay Sue-Lee's debts to the credit card provider (that is, the card balances or some proportion of the balances). The payments by Plato Ltd to the credit card company are not creditable acquisitions for Plato Ltd as the debts to the credit card provider were not taxable supplies to Sue-Lee. Plato Ltd will therefore treat the payments to the credit card provider as type 2 benefits.
Lower Gross-up Formula
60. For the 2001 FBT year the lower gross-up formula to be applied to type 2 benefits under subsection 5B(1C) is:
1 / (1 - FBT rate)
Where the FBT rate is 48.5% the formula becomes:
1 / (1 - 0.485)
= 1 / 0.515
= 1. 9417
The lower gross-up rate is therefore 1. 9417.
Table 2: FBT rates and Type 2 gross-up rates for Type 2 benefits
60A. The FBT rate of tax and the resultant lower Type 2 gross-up rate for the FBT year commencing 1 April 2000 and future years are provided in the following table:
| FBT year(s) | FBT rate of tax | Type 2 gross-up rate for Type 2 benefits |
| 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2006 | 48.5% | 1.9417 |
| 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2014 | 46.5% | 1.8692 |
| 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 | 47% | 1.8868 |
| 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2017 | 49% | 1.9608 |
| 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 | 47% | 1.8868 |
Example 8
61. Using the data from Examples 4 and 5, Archimedes Ltd would work out its Type 2 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount as follows:
| Riccardo's | bathtub | $1,500 |
| Riccardo's | accommodation | $5,000 |
| Kylie's | school fees | $2,000 |
| Total: | of type 2 benefits | $8,500 |
Table 2 at paragraph 60A shows the Type 2 gross-up rate for the 2001 FBT year as 1.9417.
Type 2 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount
$8,500 * 1.9417 = $16,504
Excluded Fringe Benefits and the Employer's Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount
62. Section 5E sets out how to work out an employee's individual fringe benefits amount. This amount is grossed-up to determine the total employee's reportable fringe benefits amount to be disclosed on the employee's payment summary.
63. However, under subsection 5E(2) certain benefits, known as excluded fringe benefits, are not included in the employee's reportable fringe benefits amount.
64. Excluded fringe benefits are only 'excluded' from being reported on the employee's payment summary. Such benefits are not 'excluded' from being part of an employer's aggregate fringe benefits amount on which the employer's FBT is calculated.
Example 9
65. Xenia Ltd, who is registered for GST, provided staff entertainment of $2,200 and client entertainment of $3,300 in the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017. It is assumed that Xenia Ltd would have paid GST on the cost of all the entertainment. The staff entertainment for $2,200 is not provided under a salary packaging arrangement. [21B]
Xenia Ltd has elected, under Division 9A of the FBTAA and section 69-5 of the GST Act, to treat the entertainment as 'meal entertainment' and use the '50/50 split method' to work out the taxable value.
Note: Effective from 1 April 2016 under the Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 5) Act 2015, salary packaged meal entertainment no longer forms part of a 'meal entertainment benefit' under Division 9A; under section 51AEA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936; under subsection 69-25 of the GST Act.
As Xenia Ltd would be entitled to an input tax credit[22] as a result of the provision of the entertainment fringe benefits it would treat the fringe benefits as type 1 benefits. Xenia Ltd would classify the fringe benefits in this way notwithstanding that the provision of 'meal entertainment' is 'excluded' from being reported on employees' payment summaries.
Table 1 at paragraph 48A shows the Type 1 gross-up rate for the 2017 FBT year as 2.1463.
The taxable value of the "meal entertainment" would be $2,750 (($2,200 + $3,300) x 50%). The fringe benefits taxable amount would be $5,902 ($2,750 x 2.1463) and the FBT payable would be $2,892 ($5,902 x 49%).
Employee's Type 1 and Type 2 Individual Base Non-Exempt Amounts and Employee's Type 1 and Type 2 Individual Base Non-Rebatable Amounts
66. For the FBT year commencing 1 April 2000, the FBT exemption allowed under section 57A for public hospitals and public benevolent institutions (who are not public or private not-for-profit hospitals) is capped at $17,000 and $30,000 respectively of the grossed-up taxable value of fringe benefits for each employee. Refer to Table 3 at paragraph 72B for capping amounts for particular FBT years, including the $17,667 (public hospital) and $31,177 (public benevolent institution) amounts for the year commencing 1 April 2016.
67. In addition for these exempt employers, from 1 April 2016, the provision of salary packaged entertainment benefits are capped at $5,000 of the grossed-up taxable value of fringe benefits for each employee (refer to Table 3 at paragraph 72B)[22A]. For these employers, salary packaged entertainment benefits that exceed the $5,000 grossed-up cap will be included in the general $17,667 or $31,177 cap respectively. Employers in this category will need to apply a specific calculation methodology when ascertaining whether a FBT liability arises.
68. For these exempt employers, some benefits such as non-salary packaged entertainment by way of food or drink, non-salary packaged hiring or leasing entertainment facilities, or car parking fringe benefits will remain exempt from FBT and are not included in the capping threshold irrespective of the value of other benefits provided to an employee.
69. The specific calculation methodologies mentioned in paragraphs 66 to 68 are set out in subsections 5B(1F) and 5B(1G) respectively. They are similar to the calculations under subsections 5B(1B) and 5B(1C).
70. For the FBT year commencing 1 April 2000, the rebatable amount available to section 65J rebatable employers will be capped at $30,000 of grossed-up taxable value of fringe benefits for each employee. Refer to Table 3 at paragraph 72B for rebate cap amounts for particular FBT years, including $31,177 for the year commencing 1 April 2016.
71. In addition for these rebatable employers, from 1 April 2016, the rebate for the provision of salary packaged entertainment benefits will be capped at $5,000 of the grossed-up taxable value of fringe benefits for each employee (refer to Table 3 at paragraph 72B). For these employers, salary packaged entertainment benefits that exceed the $5,000 grossed-up rebate cap will be included in the general $31,177 rebate cap. Employers in this category will need to apply a specific calculation methodology when ascertaining whether an FBT liability arises.
72. For these employers, some benefits such as non-salary packaged entertainment by way of food or drink, non-salary packaged hiring or leasing entertainment facilities, or car parking fringe benefits will remain eligible for the FBT rebate and are not included in the rebate capping threshold irrespective of the value of other benefits provided to an employee.
72A. The specific calculation methodologies mentioned in paragraph 70 to 72 are set out in subsections 65J(2C) and 65J(2D) respectively. They are similar to the calculations under subsections 5B(1B) and 5B(1C).
Table 3: Capping thresholds for the FBT exemption and FBT rebate concessions
72B. Certain not-for-profit employers receive FBT concessional treatment up to a capping threshold for each employee as described in the following table.
| FBT year(s) | Public benevolent institution[22B] (other than a public hospital); health promotion charity (from 1 July 2005) | Public hospital, not-for-profit hospital; public ambulance services; certain government bodies | Rebatable employers: certain charities[22C]; certain not-for-profit organisations |
| 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2015 | FBT exemption capped at $30,000 | FBT exemption capped at $17,000 | FBT rebate of 48%, capped at $30,000 |
| 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 | FBT exemption capped at $31,177 | FBT exemption capped at $17,667 | FBT rebate of 49% capped at $31,177 |
| 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 | FBT exemption capped at $31,177
Salary packaged entertainment benefits capped at $5,000 |
FBT exemption capped at $17,667
Salary packaged entertainment benefits capped at $5,000 |
FBT rebate of 49% capped at $31,177
Salary packaged entertainment benefits capped at $5,000 |
Value of Fringe Benefits - GST-inclusive or GST-exclusive?
Car Fringe Benefits
73. The taxable value of a car fringe benefit may be calculated by using either the 'statutory method' or the 'operating cost method'. Under the statutory method the taxable value is principally calculated on a percentage of the car's base value which, in turn, is derived from the cost price of the car as defined in subsection 136(1). The taxable value under the operating cost method is a percentage of the total costs of operating the car. Under the operating cost method there are 'deemed operating costs' where the car is owned. Cost price is also used when determining 'deemed depreciation' and 'deemed interest', under the operating cost method.
74. The definition of cost price has not altered as a result of the introduction of GST, although those parts of the definition that refer to sales tax have become redundant, in most cases, when GST commenced.
75. In the cost price definition, the phrase 'the amount for which the car could reasonably have been expected to have been sold by the person by wholesale' is used for circumstances where the car is owned and manufactured by the same person. As car manufacturers will be registered for GST it is expected that any wholesale sales made by those manufacturers will always include GST. Therefore, their GST-inclusive value will be 'the amount for which the car could reasonably have been expected to have been sold by the person by wholesale'.
76. In the cost price definition, the phrase 'the expenditure incurred by the person... that is directly attributable to the acquisition or delivery of the car' (other than expenditure in respect of registration) is used for circumstances where the car is owned but not manufactured by the person. It is expected that any retail sales of cars, from 1 July 2000, will always include GST in the retail price and therefore their GST-inclusive value will be 'the expenditure incurred by the person... that is directly attributable to the acquisition or delivery of the car'. For the reasons above, 'non-business accessories' fitted to the car will also be brought into account at their GST-inclusive value as appropriate.
77. This also means that the base value of leased cars, under the statutory method, will be the GST-inclusive value as appropriate. Under the operating cost method, where the car is leased the leasing costs involved are part of the 'actual operating costs'. The phrase 'so much of the charges paid or payable under the lease agreement as are attributable to the holding period' is used for such cases in subsection 10(3). Most lease payments include GST. Therefore, 'any expense incurred by the lessor pursuant to the lease agreement' will be the GST-inclusive value. The value of lease payments on which GST is not chargeable will be the amount of the expenditure paid or incurred.
78. Where car expenses such as 'repairs', 'maintenance', 'fuel' and 'registration and insurance' are part of the operating cost method calculations their cost will be at the GST-inclusive value as appropriate.
79. The base values for car fringe benefits calculated under the statutory method and the operating costs for car fringe benefits calculated under the operating cost method will be at the GST-inclusive value where appropriate. This applies whether the car is owned, manufactured or leased or whether non-business accessories are fitted.
Debt Waiver Fringe Benefits
80. The taxable value of a debt waiver fringe benefit is the amount of the total debt released (including any interest waived where applicable). This has not altered after 1 July 2000.
Loan Fringe Benefits
81. The taxable value of a loan fringe benefit is the difference between the FBT statutory interest rate and the actual interest rate payable by the employee or his/her associate. The value of the loan fringe benefit remains the difference between the FBT 'statutory' interest rate and the 'actual' interest rate.
Expense Payment Fringe Benefits
82. The taxable value of an expense payment fringe benefit is either the amount of the payment directly made to a third party or the amount of the reimbursement made to the employee or his/her associate. It will be a question of fact whether GST is included. As it is the 'amount' directly paid or reimbursed that determines the taxable value of the expense payment fringe benefit such an 'amount' will be at the GST-inclusive value where appropriate.
Housing Fringe Benefits
83. The taxable value of a housing fringe benefit is measured by reference to the market value of the right to occupy the unit of accommodation. A housing right includes a lease or licence to occupy or use the accommodation.
84. The supply of residential premises by way of lease, hire or licence will usually be input taxed under the GST Act. Therefore, where the employer pays for such residential premises no GST will be in the payment. However, GST input tax credits may be available for acquisitions relating to the provision of accommodation to employees in commercial residential premises. Determining whether premises are commercial residential premises raises questions of fact involving matters of impression and degree.[22D]
Living-Away-From-Home-Allowance Fringe Benefits (LAFHA)
85. The taxable value of a LAFHA is the amount of the allowance paid less any parts of the allowance that are reasonable compensation for the cost of accommodation and/or increased expenditure on food. The value of the LAFHA is therefore the difference between the amount of the allowance and the amount exempted for accommodation and/or food. The introduction of GST has not changed this position.
Board Fringe Benefits
87. The taxable value of a board fringe benefit is $2.00 per meal per person (or $1.00 per person under the age of 12 years). The taxable values for board fringe benefits are 'statutory values' that have been unaffected by the introduction of GST.
Meal Entertainment Fringe Benefits
88. Where expense payment, airline transport, property, tax-exempt body entertainment or residual benefits arise from the provision of meal entertainment the employer may elect to classify these fringe benefits as 'meal entertainment fringe benefits'.
89. The taxable value of meal entertainment fringe benefits may be calculated under the '50-50 split method' or the '12 week register method[22E]'. Both methods are based on the total meal entertainment expenditure. As the taxable values under either method result from the actual expenditure incurred this will result, in turn, in their value being the GST-inclusive value where applicable.
Tax-Exempt Body Entertainment Fringe Benefits
90. The taxable value of a tax-exempt body entertainment fringe benefit is the amount of the entertainment expenditure incurred that relates to the employee. As the taxable value results from the actual expenditure incurred this will, in turn, result in the value being the GST-inclusive value where applicable from 1 July 2000.
Car Parking Fringe Benefits
91. Where either the commercial car parking station method or the average cost method is used to determine the taxable value, the 'lowest fees charged' will include GST after 1 July 2000 and therefore such fees will be the GST-inclusive value as appropriate.
Property Fringe Benefits
92. The taxable value of an external property benefit is equal to the cost price of the property to the employer in an arm's-length transaction (or the amount the employee could reasonably be expected to pay for non arm's-length transactions).
93. The taxable value of an in-house property benefit is basically either:
- •
- The provider's lowest arm's-length selling price for non-retail goods.
- •
- For retail goods, it is 75% of the lowest selling price of identical goods sold to the public or 75% of the market value for similar property where the goods provided are not identical to those sold to the public.
- •
- From 8 May 2012, for in-house property fringe benefits which are airline transport fringe benefits under paragraph 42(1)(ab), 75% of the stand-by airline travel value.
- •
- From 22 October 2012, for in-house property fringe benefits which are salary packaged under paragraph 42(1)(aa), the notional value.
- •
- Other valuation methods such as the arm's length acquisition cost to the provider where goods are purchased for resale.
94. Where property is provided as a fringe benefit the taxable value will be a question of fact. The value will be the GST-inclusive value or the GST-exclusive value depending on whether GST is payable.
Residual Fringe Benefits
95. The taxable value of an external residual benefit is equal to the cost price of the property to the employer in an arm's-length transaction (or the amount the employee could reasonably be expected to pay for non arm's-length transactions).
96. The taxable value of an in-house residual benefit is basically either:
- •
- 75% of the lowest arm's-length price charged to the public at the time for identical benefits.
- •
- 75% of the amount the employee could reasonably be expected to pay to acquire the benefit under an arm's-length transaction.
- •
- From 8 May 2012, for in-house residual fringe benefits which are airline transport fringe benefits under paragraphs 48(ab) and 49(ab), 75% of the stand-by airline travel value.
- •
- From 22 October 2012, for in-house residual fringe benefits which are salary packaged under paragraph 48(aa) or 49(aa), the notional value.
96A. The taxable value of a residual benefit will be a question of fact. The value will be the GST-inclusive value or GST-exclusive value depending on whether GST is payable.
The Value of Employee Contributions After 1 July 2000
97. The definitions of recipient's payment, recipients contribution or recipients rent [23] in the FBTAA have not been altered.
98. The definitions of recipient's payment in paragraphs 9(2)(e) and 10(3)(c), which relate to an employee contribution towards a car fringe benefit, uses the phrase 'the amount of those expenses paid by the recipients'. Where the recipient's payment is paid to the employer the full amount will be the 'amount of expenses paid by the recipient' in satisfaction of the expenses incurred to the employer or provider (if you do not have any set off for reimbursed amounts).
99. This situation has not altered since 1 July 2000. Under the GST Act such payment will be used to arrive at the price [24] of a GST taxable supply that is a fringe benefit in order to calculate the amount of GST payable on that taxable supply (i.e., 1/11th of that price). That calculation relates only to arriving at the employer's GST liability and does not affect the amount of the payment in arriving at the employer's FBT liability (refer to Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2001/3). Consequently, a recipient's payment to an employer will not be reduced to reflect any GST that may have been remitted, or is required to be remitted, in respect of that payment.
100. Where the recipient's payment is by way of fuel, oil or servicing it can be expected that most, if not all, such items or services will be subject to GST at the time of purchase or provision of the service to the employee. However, a recipient's payment made in this way will not be consideration for the supply of the benefit, for GST purposes, as it will have been consideration for the supply of those items or services by the third party. A recipient's payment, made in this way, is not consideration for the supply of the car fringe benefit and will not be reduced to reflect any GST paid to the third parties.
Example 10
101. Using the data from Example 2, Kylie is provided with a car by Archimedes Ltd. The value of the car fringe benefit is $3,300.
Kylie makes a cash contribution of $1,100 directly to her employer in respect of the provision of the car . Although Archimedes Ltd will have to remit $100 (1/11th of $1,100) of that contribution as GST the company will deduct the full $1,100 of Kylie's contribution when calculating the taxable value of the car fringe benefits.
Kylie also pays some of the running costs in relation to the car. Kylie paid $400 for fuel, oil and servicing to her local service station in the period 1 July 2000 to 31 March 2001. This amount, although being a ' recipient's payment' for FBT purposes, is not a payment that is consideration for the supply of the car fringe benefits for GST purposes.
When Archimedes Ltd calculates the taxable value of the car fringe benefits provided to Kylie it will deduct the total of the recipient's payments made by her, i.e., $1,500 ($1,100 + $400).
102. The definition of recipients contribution in subsection 136(1), which relates to a contribution by an employee towards either an expense payment, airline transport, board, car parking, property or residual fringe benefits, includes the phrases 'the amount of any consideration paid to the provider or to the employer by the recipient or by the employee' and 'the amount paid to the provider or to the employer by the recipient or by the employee' (if you do not have any set off for reimbursed amounts). The amount of the recipients contribution will not be reduced because of any GST that the employer may be required to remit when calculating the taxable value of the relevant fringe benefit for FBT purposes. The reasons for this are similar to those discussed previously for 'recipient's payment' at paragraphs 98-101.
103. The definition of recipients rent in subsection 136(1), which relates to an employee contribution towards a housing fringe benefit, includes the phrase 'the amount of any rent or other consideration paid to the provider or to the employer by the recipient or the employee' (if you do not have any setoff for reimbursed amounts).
104. Under subsection 9-75(3) of the GST Act, only a recipient's payment or a recipients contribution determines the price of the taxable supply of a fringe benefit or an exempt benefit. Recipients rent is, therefore, not used to determine the price of a taxable supply of a fringe benefit or an exempt benefit. The amount of the recipients rent will not be reduced when calculating the taxable value of the housing fringe benefit as an employer will not be required to remit GST.
105. Therefore, the full amount of any contributions by an employee towards a fringe benefit will be deducted in arriving at the relevant fringe benefit's taxable value (if you do not have any setoff for reimbursed amounts). However, the employer may be required to remit GST with reference to recipient's payments and recipients contributions (refer to Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2001/3).
Reportable Fringe Benefits Amounts
106. The higher gross-up rate will not affect an employee's 'reportable fringe benefit amount'. The employer will continue to use the lower gross-up rate of 1.9417 in the 2001 FBT year to work out an employee's reportable fringe benefits amount. Refer to Table 2 at paragraph 60A for the Type 2 gross-up rates applying to particular FBT years. The employer will only use the higher gross-up rate to calculate the employer's FBT liability where the employer, or other registered provider, is entitled to an input tax credit in respect of the provision of that fringe benefit.
Example 11
107. Using the same employer, employees and data from Examples 1, 2, 4, 5 and 10, Riccardo and Kylie received the following types of benefits from their employer Archimedes Ltd:
| Riccardo | $2,420 | ($220 + $2,200) | type 1 benefit |
| Riccardo | $6,500 | ($1,500 + $5,000) | type 2 benefit |
| Total | $8,920 | benefits | |
| Kylie | $2,900 | ($1,100 + $1,800) | type 1 benefit |
| Kylie | $2,000 | ($2,000) | type 2 benefit |
| Total | $4,900 | benefits | |
Table 2 at paragraph 60A shows the Type 2 gross-up rate for the 2001 FBT year as 1.9417.
The reportable fringe benefits amount to go on the payment summaries for Riccardo and Kylie will be $17,319($8,920 x 1.9417) and $9,514($4,900 x 1.9417) respectively.
Income Tax and Fringe Benefits From 1 July 2000
108. Schedule 3 and Schedule 8 respectively of the A New Tax System (Indirect Tax and Consequential Amendments) Act 1999 amend the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936) to exclude GST from income derived and from deductible amounts to the extent of an entity's input tax credit entitlement.
109. Under section 27-5 of the ITAA 1997 an amount corresponding to the entitlement to GST input tax credits will be excluded from deductible losses or outgoings that are incurred. Therefore, the costs of fringe benefits that qualify as income tax deductions, under the ITAA 1997, will be deductible at the GST-exclusive value as applicable.
Example 12
110. Using data from Example 2, Archimedes Ltd provided Riccardo with a home entertainment unit that it purchased on 12 August 2000. The cost was $2,200 (including $200 GST). As Archimedes Ltd was entitled to an input tax credit of $200 for providing the property fringe benefit it would claim $2,000 ($2,200 - $200) as an income tax deduction.
Example 13
111. Using the data from Example 6, as Euripides Pty Ltd was not entitled to an input tax credit the company would claim an income tax deduction for the full amount of $1,100 paid for each of the television sets given to its employees.
112. The taxable value of certain fringe benefits may be reduced to the extent that the employee would have been able to claim an income tax deduction had the employee themselves incurred the expense. The otherwise deductible rule applies to reduce the taxable value of a board fringe benefit, an expense payment fringe benefit, a loan fringe benefit, a property fringe benefit or a residual fringe benefit. The taxable value is reduced by the hypothetical income tax deduction to which the employee would have been entitled had the employee incurred the expense. An employee has no 'entitlement to an input tax credit' under the GST Act and may, for the purposes of section 27-5 of the ITAA 1997, claim a deduction for the GST-inclusive value of any relevant expenditure. Therefore, where the 'otherwise deductible rule' applies to the calculation of the taxable value of a fringe benefit such 'deductible amount' will be at the GST-inclusive value as applicable.
Example 14
113. Archimedes Ltd paid $660, on 5 February 2001, for Riccardo's professional association membership fees.
When Archimedes Ltd is working out the taxable value of the expense payment fringe benefit provided to Riccardo the taxable value can be reduced by the hypothetical deduction that would have been available to Riccardo had he been the one that had paid the fees. As the membership fees are directly related to Riccardo's derivation of income with Archimedes Ltd he would have been entitled to an outright income tax deduction for 100% of the cost under subsection 8-1 of the ITAA97.
The taxable value of the expense payment fringe benefit would consequently be $0 ($660 - $660).
114. Paragraph 17-5(a) of the ITAA 1997 excludes the GST component of any recoupment of an amount paid in acquiring something that is to be included in assessable income. Therefore, an employee contribution will be added to an employer's assessable income, under the provisions of the ITAA 1997, at the GST-exclusive value where such contribution is either a recipient's payment or a recipients contribution and such recipient's payment or recipients contribution is a contribution for a taxable supply for GST purposes.
Example 15
115. Following on from Example 10, Kylie has contributed $1,100 to her employer towards the provision of the car. Archimedes Ltd would include, in its assessable income for the financial year ended 30 June 2001, $1,000 ($1,100 - $100) in respect of the recipient's payment for which it was obliged to remit GST.
116. Calculation of Employer's FBT Liability for the 2001 FBT year (who is not a public benevolent institution nor a rebatable employer)
Step 1
- (a)
- Calculate the total of the individual type 1 fringe benefits amounts for each employee.
- (b)
- Calculate the total of the taxable values of all type 1 excluded fringe benefits.
- (c)
- Add together the totals obtained from (a) and (b) above to get the aggregate type 1 fringe benefits amount.
Step 2
- (a)
- Calculate the total of the individual type 2 fringe benefits amounts for each employee.
- (b)
- Calculate the total of the taxable values of all type 2 excluded fringe benefits.
- (c)
- Add together the totals obtained from (a) and (b) above to get the aggregate type 2 fringe benefits amount.
Step 3
- (a)
- Multiply the aggregate type 1 fringe benefits amount by the higher gross-up rate of 2.1292.
- (b)
- Multiply the aggregate type 2 fringe benefits amount by the lower gross-up rate of 1.9417.
- (c)
- Add together the totals obtained from (a) and (b) above to get the fringe benefits taxable amount.
Step 4
- (a)
- Multiply the fringe benefits taxable amount by the FBT tax rate (48.5% for 2001 FBT year) to get the FBT payable.
Example 16
117. Using the data from examples 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, and 14, Archimedes Ltd would work out its FBT payable for the 2001 FBT year as follows:
Step 1(a)
The individual type 1 non-excluded fringe benefits amounts are:
| Riccardo's | golf club fees | $ 220 | (Example 1) |
| Riccardo's | home entertainment unit | $2,200 | (Example 2) |
| Riccardo's | type 1 total | $2,420 | |
| Kylie's | holiday | $1,100 | (Example 1) |
| Kylie's | car fringe benefit | $1,800 | (Example 2) |
| Kylie's | type 1 total | $2,900 | |
Note: The taxable value of Kylie's car fringe benefit is $1,800 due to her employee contributions of $1,100 and $400 (Example 10) i.e., ($3,300 - ($1,100 + $400)).
Table 1 at paragraph 48A shows the Type 1 gross-up rate for the 2001 FBT year as 2.1292.
Table 2 at paragraph 60A shows the Type 2 gross-up rate for the 2001 FBT year as 1.9417.
Step 1(b)
There were no type 1 excluded fringe benefits in the examples for Archimedes Ltd.
Step 1(c)
The type 1 aggregate fringe benefits amount is $5,320 ($2,420 + $2,900).
Step 2(a)
The individual type 2 non-excluded fringe benefits amounts are:
| Riccardo's | bathtub | $1,500 | (Example 4) |
| Riccardo's | accommodation | $5,000 | (Example 5) |
| Riccardo's | type 2 total | $6,500 | |
| Kylie's | school fees | $2,000 | (Example 5) |
| Kylie's | type 2 total | $2,000 | |
Step2(b)
There were no type 2 excluded fringe benefits in the examples for Archimedes Ltd.
Step2(c)
The type 2 aggregate fringe benefits amount is $8,500 ($6,500 + $2,000).
Step3(a)
Multiply the aggregate type 1 fringe benefits amount of $5,320 by 2.1292 = $11,327.
Step3(b)
Multiply the aggregate type 2 fringe benefits amount of $8,500 by 1.9417 = $16,504.
Step3(c)
The fringe benefits taxable amount is $27,831 ($11,327 + $16,504).
Step 4
The FBT payable by Archimedes Ltd for the 2001 FBT year is $13,498 ($27,831 x 48.5%).
Examples
Further examples on car fringe benefits
Which gross-up rate do you use for a car for which you do not have an entitlement to an input tax credit for its purchase however you do have an entitlement for expenditure for running and maintenance costs and for non-business fitted accessories?
118. In some instances, employers, or other providers, will not be entitled to an input tax credit for the purchase of a car. For example, where the supply of the car to the employer was not a taxable supply because the supplier was not registered or required to be registered for GST. This means the employer will need to use the lower gross-up rate.
119. The determining factor for which gross-up rate you use for a car fringe benefit is whether the provider was entitled to an input tax credit at the time the car was acquired. Under those circumstances, the relevant matter is the original purchase of the car even though non-business fitted accessories or running and maintenance costs, on which GST has been paid and which may give rise to an entitlement to a GST input tax credit, may subsequently have been paid. Despite the subsequent additional costs the lower gross-up rate will still be used where there is no entitlement to a GST input tax credit for the purchase of the car.
Example 17
120. Castor Ltd is a company registered for GST that purchased a car on 1 May 2014 from an unregistered supplier. The company provides the car to its company secretary in the FBT year ended 31 March 2015. When Castor Ltd calculates its FBT liability in respect of the car fringe benefits for the 2015 FBT year it will use the lower gross-up rate of 1.8868 (refer Table 2 paragraph 60A ) as Castor Ltd is not entitled to a GST input tax credit for the GST it paid on the car's purchase. If Castor Ltd is entitled to GST input tax credits for the car's running and maintenance costs or non-business accessories cost it would still use the lower gross-up rate of 1.8868 to calculate the fringe benefits taxable amount for the car fringe benefits.
Which gross-up rate do you use for a car bought from 23 May 2001 onwards?
131. Employers will use the higher gross-up rate as long as they, or other providers, were entitled to a GST input tax credit at the time they bought the car.
132. Most registered employers, or other registered providers, will be entitled to a full GST input tax credit for cars bought from 23 May 2001 onwards. They will use the higher gross-up rate from 23 May 2001.
Example 22
133. Filipa Ltd is a company registered for GST who entered into a hire purchase agreement on 22 June 2001 for the purchase of a car for $33,000 (not including the hire charges which were separately disclosed in the agreement). The car was to be used by one of its senior employees. The GST paid on the purchase was $3,000 and as Filipa Ltd is entitled to claim the full $3,000 GST input tax credit from the purchase of the car it will use the higher gross-up rate of 2.1292 (Table 1 at paragraph 48A) when it calculates its FBT liability in respect of the car benefit for the 2002 FBT year.
Which gross-up rate do you use for a car leased only after 1 July 2000?
145. GST will be applied to lease fees from 1 July 2000, so input tax credits will be available to registered employers, or other registered providers, from that date. This means they should use the higher gross-up rate for any car fringe benefit provided after 1 July 2000.
Example 26
146. Jacinda Ltd, who is registered for GST, leased a car from 1 July 2000 to 31 March 2001 to provide to the company's beautician. As all the lease payments were made after 1 July 2000 GST would have been paid. Jacinda Ltd would use the higher gross-up rate of 2.1292 (Table 1 at paragraph 48A) irrespective of whether it chooses to use the 'statutory formula method' or the 'operating cost method' to calculate its FBT liability. If Jacinda Ltd continued the lease past 31 March 2001 it would also use the higher gross-up rate thereafter due to the availability of input tax credits on the lease payments
Detailed contents list
147. Below is a detailed table of contents for this Ruling
| Paragraph | ||
| What this Ruling is about | 1 | |
| Class of person/arrangement | 1 | |
| Ruling | 6 | |
| Fringe Benefits Taxable Amount From 1 April 2000 | 6 | |
| Excluded Fringe Benefits and the Employer's Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount | 11 | |
| Employer's Type 1 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount | 12 | |
| Higher Gross-up Formula for Type 1 Benefits | 15 | |
| Employer's Type 2 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount | 16 | |
| GST-free and Input Taxed Benefits | 17 | |
| Other Benefits For Which There Is No Entitlement To An Input Tax Credit | 18 | |
| Lower Gross-up Formula for Type 2 Benefits | 19 | |
| Employee's Type 1 and Type 2 Individual Base Non-Exempt Amounts and Employee's Type 1 and Type 2 Individual Base Non-Rebatable Amounts | 20 | |
| From 1 April 2016: salary packaged entertainment benefits | 20A | |
| Value of Fringe Benefits from 1 July 2000 | 21 | |
| Value of Employee Contributions from 1 July 2000 | 22 | |
| Reportable Fringe Benefits Amounts | 23 | |
| Income Tax and Fringe Benefits From 1 July 2000 | 24 | |
| Date of effect | 27 | |
| Explanations | 28 | |
| Fringe Benefits Taxable Amount Prior To 1 April 2000 | 28 | |
| Fringe Benefits Taxable Amount From 1 April 2000 | 32 | |
| Employer's Type 1 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount | 34 | |
| Example 1 | 41 | |
| Example 2 | 44 | |
| Higher Gross-up Formula | 47 | |
| Table 1: FBT rates and Type 1 gross-up rates for Type 1 benefits | 48A | |
| Example 3 | 49 | |
| Employer's Type 2 Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount | 51 | |
| Benefits 'Not Acquired' or 'Not Imported' | 52 | |
| Example 4 | 53 | |
| GST-free and Input Taxed Benefits | 54 | |
| Example 5 | 56 | |
| Other Benefits For Which There Is No Entitlement To An Input Tax Credit | 57 | |
| Example 6 | 58 | |
| Example 7 | 59 | |
| Lower Gross-up Formula | 60 | |
| Table 2: FBT rates and Type 2 gross-up rates for Type 2 benefits | 60A | |
| Example 8 | 61 | |
| Excluded Fringe Benefits and the Employer's Aggregate Fringe Benefits Amount | 62 | |
| Example 9 | 65 | |
| Employee's Type 1 and Type 2 Individual Base Non-Exempt Amounts and Employee's Type 1 and Type 2 Individual Base Non-Rebatable Amounts | 66 | |
| Table 3: Capping thresholds for the FBT exemption and FBT rebate concessions | 72B | |
| Value of Fringe Benefits - GST-inclusive or GST-exclusive? | 73 | |
| Car Fringe Benefits | 73 | |
| Debt Waiver Fringe Benefits | 80 | |
| Loan Fringe Benefits | 81 | |
| Expense Payment Fringe Benefits | 82 | |
| Housing Fringe Benefits | 83 | |
| Living-Away-From-Home-Allowance Fringe Benefits (LAFHA) | 85 | |
| Airline Transport Fringe Benefits | 86 | |
| Board Fringe Benefits | 87 | |
| Meal Entertainment Fringe Benefits | 88 | |
| Tax-Exempt Body Entertainment Fringe Benefits | 90 | |
| Car Parking Fringe Benefits | 91 | |
| Property Fringe Benefits | 92 | |
| Residual Fringe Benefits | 95 | |
| The Value of Employee Contributions After 1 July 2000 | 97 | |
| Example 10 | 101 | |
| Reportable Fringe Benefits Amounts | 106 | |
| Example 11 | 107 | |
| Income Tax and Fringe Benefits From 1 July 2000 | 108 | |
| Example 12 | 110 | |
| Example 13 | 111 | |
| Example 14 | 113 | |
| Example 15 | 115 | |
| Calculation of Employer's FBT Liability for the 2001 FBT year (who is not a public benevolent institution nor a rebatable employer) | 116 | |
| Example 16 | 117 | |
| Examples | 118 | |
| Further examples on car fringe benefits | 118 | |
| Which gross-up rate do you use for a car for which you do not have an entitlement to an GST input tax credit for its purchase however you do have an entitlement for expenditure for running and maintenance costs and for non-business fitted accessories? | 118 | |
| Example 17 | 120 | |
| Which gross-up rate do you use for a car bought from 1 July 2002 onwards? | 131 | |
| Example 22 | 133 | |
| Which gross-up rate do you use for a car leased only after 1 July 2000? | 145 | |
| Example 26 | 146 | |
| Detailed contents list | 147 |
Commissioner of Taxation
18 May 2001
Footnotes
Fringe benefit is defined in subsection 136(1).
Input tax credit is defined in section 195-1 of the GST Act to mean an entitlement arising under sections 11-20 or 15-5 of the GST Act.
Fringe benefits taxable amount is defined in subsection 136(1) as the meaning given by section 5B.
The FBT rebate is a rebate of tax for certain not-for-profit employers (rebatable employers) described in section 65J.
Refer to paragraph 23.
The type 1 aggregate fringe benefits amount is defined in subsection 5B(3) and is the amount worked out under subsection 5C(3).
The type 2 aggregate fringe benefits amount is defined in subsection 5B(3) and is the amount worked out under subsection 5C(4).
Registered public benevolent institution from 3 December 2012, refer subsection 136(1).
Subsections 5B(1H) and 5B(1J) set out respectively what is the employee's type 1 and type 2 individual base non-exempt amount.
Subsections 65J(2E) and 65J(2F) set out respectively what is the employee's type 1 and type 2 individual base non-rebatable amount.
Subsection 5E(3) details which benefits are excluded fringe benefits.
The methodology to work out an employer's aggregate fringe benefits amount is set out in section 5C.
Thing is defined in subsection 195-1 of the GST Act as meaning anything that can be supplied or imported.
GST-free supplies are set out in Division 38 of the GST Act.
Input taxed supplies are set out in subsection 9-30(2) of the GST Act.
[Omitted.]
From 1 April 2016, under the Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 5) Act 2015, a separate grossed-up cap of up to $5,000 for section 57A and 65J rebatable employers applies to salary packaged meal entertainment or salary packaged entertainment facility leasing expense benefits, referred to collectively as salary packaged entertainment benefits.
There is no definition of 'GST-inclusive value' in the GST Act (although GST-inclusive market value' is defined in section 195-1 of the GST Act). Where the term is used in this ruling it means the value of the consideration or thing without any reduction for the amount of GST payable (if any) on the supply.
Recipient's payment is defined in paragraphs 9(2)(e) and 10(3)(c) (see also paragraph 98).
Recipients contribution is defined in subsection 136(1) (see also paragraph 102)
Section 135P sets out the general rule for what is an employee's reportable fringe benefits amount. Section 135Q sets out the rule for what is an employee's reportable fringe benefits amount for some employees of certain institutions.
Section 5E sets out what is an employee's individual fringe benefits amount.
GST-exclusive value is defined in section 195-1 of the GST Act.
Taxable supply is defined in section 195-1 of the GST Act.
See paragraph 112 for an explanation of the 'otherwise deductible rule'.
An expense payment benefit in the GST Act means a fringe benefit that is a benefit of the kind referred to in section 20 of the FBTAA and includes all reimbursements and payments made on behalf of a recipient which are fringe benefits and exempt benefits.
Further references to 'employee' will also include an associate of the employee where relevant.
These Type 1 gross-up rates are obtained by applying the formula shown at paragraph 47 to each FBT year.
The taxable value of $1,500 includes any reduction available under section 62.
Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2012/6 Goods and services tax: commercial residential premises sets out the Commissioners views concerning when premises are commercial residential premises. GSTR 2012/6 contains transitional arrangements concerning certain supplies of employee accommodation at paragraphs 124 to 126. It also contains transitional arrangements at paragraphs 129 and 130 concerning certain supplies of accommodation to managers and caretakers of commercial residential premises. Where a taxpayer can treat a supply of a fringe benefit as an input taxed supply under either paragraph 125 or 130 of GSTR 2012/6, the supply can be classified as a type 2 benefit. A benefit remains a type 2 benefit where the fringe benefit supplied by a taxpayer is an input taxed supply even though the taxpayer can treat related acquisitions as having been acquired for a creditable purpose under paragraph 126 of GSTR 2012/6.
Salary packaging arrangement as defined in subsection 136(1).
Under subsection 69-5(3A) of the GST Act an acquisition or importation of meal entertainment and entertainment facilities will only be creditable to the extent that it is deductible under sections 51AEA to 51AEC of the ITAA 1936.
Refer footnote 10A.
Registered health promotion charity from 3 December 2012, refer subsection 136(1).
Registered charity from 3 December 2012, refer subsection 136(1).
For details see Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2012/6. Supplies of long-term accommodation may also be input taxed. See Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2012/7 Goods and services tax: long- term accommodation in commercial residential premises.
Subject to the paragraph 37AC(b) exclusion for salary packaged meal entertainment from 1 April 2016 by the Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 5) Act 2015. From 1 April 2016 salary packaged entertainment expenses are excluded from the 50-50 split method and the 12 week register method'.
Recipients rent is defined in subsection 136(1) (see also paragraph 103).
Subsection 9-75(3) of the GST Act deals with what is the price of the supply of a fringe benefit as defined in that Act.
T2000/008929
FBTAA 1986 5B
FBTAA 1986 5B(1A)
FBTAA 1986 5B(1B)
FBTAA 1986 5B(1C)
FBTAA 1986 5B(1D)
FBTAA 1986 5B(1F)
FBTAA 1986 5B(1G)
FBTAA 1986 5B(1H)
FBTAA 1986 5B(1J)
FBTAA 1986 5B(3)
FBTAA 1986 Pt III Div 9A
FBTAA 1986 5C
FBTAA 1986 5C(3)
FBTAA 1986 5C(4)
FBTAA 1986 5E
FBTAA 1986 5E(2)
FBTAA 1986 5E(3)
FBTAA 1986 9(2)(e)
FBTAA 1986 10(3)
FBTAA 1986 10(3)(c)
FBTAA 1986 20
FBTAA 1986 37AC(b)
FBTAA 1986 42(1)(aa)
FBTAA 1986 48(aa)
FBTAA 1986 49(aa)
FBTAA 1986 57A
FBTAA 1986 62
FBTAA 1986 65J
FBTAA 1986 65J(2C)
FBTAA 1986 65J(2D)
FBTAA 1986 65J(2E)
FBTAA 1986 65J(2F)
FBTAA 1986 136(1)
FBTAA 1986 135P
FBTAA 1986 135Q
FBTAA 1986 149A
FBTAA 1986 149A(1)
FBTAA 1986 149A(2)
FBTAA 1986 149A(2)(a)(i)
FBTAA 1986 149A(2)(a)(ii)
FBTAA 1986 149A(2)(a)(iii)
FBTAA 1986 149A(2)(a)(iv)
ITAA 1936 51AEA
ITAA 1936 51AEB
ITAA 1936 51AEC
ITAA 1997 8-1
ITAA 1997 17-5(a)
ITAA 1997 27-5
ANTS(GST) A99 9-75(3)
ANTS(GST) A99 11-5
ANTS(GST) A99 11-20
ANTS(GST) A99 15-5
ANTS(GST) A99 Div 38
ANTS(GST) A99 Div 40
ANTS(GST) A99 69-5
ANTS(GST) A99 69-5(3A)
ANTS(GST) A99 69-25
ANTS(GST) A99 Div 111
ANTS(GST) A99 111-5
ANTS(GST) A99 195-1
A New Tax System (Fringe Benefits) Act 2000
A New Tax System (Indirect Tax and Consequential Amendments) Act 1999 Sch 3
A New Tax System (Indirect Tax and Consequential Amendments) Act 1999 Sch 8
Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 5) Act 2015