Taxation Determination

TD 93/154

Income tax: is the expenditure incurred by an employee on an employer's range of brand name conventional clothing or footwear, which is required to be worn as a condition of employment, an allowable deduction under subsection 51(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 ?

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FOI status:

may be releasedFOI number: I 1215831

This Determination, to the extent that it is capable of being a 'public ruling' in terms of Part IVAAA of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 , is a public ruling for the purposes of that Part. Taxation Ruling TR 92/1 explains when a Determination is a public ruling and how it is binding on the Commissioner. Unless otherwise stated, this Determination applies to years commencing both before and after its date of issue. However, this Determination does not apply to taxpayers to the extent that it conflicts with the terms of a settlement of a dispute agreed to before the date of issue of the Determination (see paragraphs 21 and 22 of Taxation Ruling TR 92/20).

1. No. Although a taxpayer may be required to purchase and wear a certain brand or type of conventional clothing or footwear at the direction of the employer, it does not detract from the character of the garments or footwear as conventional attire. Expenditure on this attire is generally not incurred in gaining or producing assessable income and is of a private nature and precluded from deduction under subsection 51(1). It does not fall for consideration under section 51AL because it is not in respect of a corporate wardrobe or uniform.

Example:

A sales assistant employed in a retail clothing store has purchased her employer's brand of conventional clothing to the value of $200. The sales assistant is required by her employer to wear combinations of the conventional clothing during different periods of her employment as a sales assistant.

Although the employee is required to purchase and wear a certain brand of clothing at the direction of her employer in the course of her employment, the expenditure is private in nature and precluded from a deduction under subsection 51(1).

Commissioner of Taxation
12 August 1993

Previously issued as Draft TD 93/D141

References

ATO references:
NO NEW TD33

ISSN 1038 - 8982

Related Rulings/Determinations:

TD 92/157
TD 93/101
TD 93/109
TD 93/110
TD 93/111
TD 93/121

Subject References:
clothing
footwear
retail trade

Legislative References:
ITAA 51(1)
51AL

TD 93/154 history

	Date:	Version:	Change:
You are here	12 August 1993	Original ruling
	18 June 1997	Withdrawn

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