ATO ID 2001/775: Salary or wages income derived prior to 1 July from employment in Norfolk Island - exempt income
Date of decision: 1 October 2001
Business line: Small Business/Individual Taxpayers

Issue
Is the taxpayer's salary and wage income derived prior to 1 July 2016 from employment in Norfolk Island assessable under section 6-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997)?

Decision
No. The taxpayer's salary and wage income derived prior to 1 July 2016 from employment in Norfolk Island is not assessable under section 6-5 of the ITAA 1997 as it is exempt from tax under section 24G of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936).

Facts
The taxpayer will be employed in Norfolk Island for three years and commences on 31 March 2016. The contract of employment binds the taxpayer to a continuity of service. The duties of the taxpayer's position will be performed wholly within the boundaries of Norfolk Island.

Reasons for decision
Summary: Subsection 6-5(2) of the ITAA 1997 provides that the assessable income of a resident taxpayer includes ordinary income derived directly or indirectly from all sources during the income year. However, if an amount is exempt income, it is not included in the assessable income of a taxpayer (subsection 6-15(2) of the ITAA 1997). Section 24G of the ITAA 1936 provides an exemption from tax in Australia on certain income derived from sources in a prescribed Territory. Subsection 24B(1) of the ITAA 1936 provides that Norfolk Island is a prescribed Territory. Paragraph 24G(1)(e) of the ITAA 1936 provides that the exemption will apply where income is derived by a person from employment wholly or mainly performed in a prescribed Territory. The Commissioner must be satisfied that at the commencement of that employment the taxpayer intended to remain in that Territory for a continuous period of more than 6 months. The taxpayer's employment will be wholly performed within the boundaries of Norfolk Island, a prescribed Territory. The posting is for a period of three years and the terms of the contract of employment indicate the requisite continuity of service. Therefore, salary and wage income paid to the taxpayer prior to 1 July 2016 from employment in Norfolk Island will be exempt from tax pursuant to section 24G of the ITAA 1936.

Legislative references: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 subsection 24B(1) section 24G paragraph 24G(1)(e)
Subject references: Exempt income Australian external territories Prescribed Territory Norfolk Island