ATO ID 2003/842: Refund of tax on foreign sourced income to non-resident beneficiary
Date of decision: 11 August 2003
Year of income: Year ended 30 June 2002
Business line: Public Groups and International

Issue
Is the non-resident beneficiary of a resident trust entitled to a refund under subsection 99D(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936) of the tax paid by the trustee of a resident trust estate on foreign source income which was included in the calculation of the net income of the resident trust estate?

Decision
Yes. The non-resident beneficiary of a resident trust estate is entitled to a refund under subsection 99D(1) of the ITAA 1936 of the tax paid by the trustee of a resident trust estate on foreign source income which was included in the calculation of the net income of the resident trust estate.

Facts
The taxpayer is a non-resident beneficiary of a resident trust estate. The resident trust estate's net income for the year included income and other gains on disposal of assets attributable to sources out of Australia. The trustee of the trust estate pays the tax liability assessed based on the net income of the trust under subsection 99(2) of the ITAA 1936. The trustee of the trust estate distributes the income of trust to the taxpayer. The taxpayer requests in writing for a refund of the tax paid by the trustee in respect of the net income attributable to sources out of Australia. The distributed income is not part of any 'reimbursement agreement' arrangements that are subject to section 100A of the ITAA 1936.

Reasons for decision
Summary: Section 99D of the ITAA 1936 allows a non-resident beneficiary in a resident trust estate to obtain a refund of any Australian tax paid by the trustee of a resident trust estate if certain conditions are satisfied. Paragraphs 99D(1)(a) to 99D(1)(c) of the ITAA 1936 provide that an application may be made by the beneficiary of the resident trust estate for a refund of tax under the following circumstances: Paragraph 99D(1)(e) of the ITAA 1936 provides that the beneficiary is also required to satisfy the Commissioner of Taxation that the whole or a part of the distributed amount: As the taxpayer satisfies all the requirements of subsection 99D(1) of the ITAA 1936, the taxpayer is entitled to a refund of tax paid by the trustee of the resident trust estate on foreign source income which was included in the calculation of the net income of the resident trust estate.

Legislative references: Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 subsection 99(2) subsection 99(3) subsection 99A(4) subsection 99A(4A) section 99D paragraph 99D(1)(e) section 100A
Subject references: Foreign income Distributions to non residents Non resident beneficiaries