Private ruling: Legal expenses
Published: May 2014
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 2014
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 2013

Ruling: Q1: Are you entitled to a deduction for legal expenses? | A1: No.


Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 8-1

Reasons for decision: Summary: Section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 allows a deduction for all losses and outgoings to the extent to which they are incurred in gaining or producing assessable income except where the outgoings are of a capital, private or domestic nature. In determining whether a deduction for legal expenses is allowed, the nature of the expenditure must be considered ( Hallstroms Pty Ltd v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1946) 72 CLR 634; (1946) 3 AITR 436; (1946) 8 ATD 190). The nature or character of the legal expenses follows the advantage that is sought to be gained by incurring the expenses. If the advantage to be gained is of a capital nature, then the expenses incurred in gaining the advantage will also be of a capital nature. The Commissioner of Taxation considers that expenses incurred in relation to an action for damages for wrongful dismissal, are capital in nature and not deductible (Taxation Determination TD 93/29). Payments made in consequence of termination of employment are treated as employment termination payments (ETP) and subject to special tax treatment that may result in some or the entire amount being included in the taxpayer's assessable income. However the fact that a capital payment is specifically brought to account as assessable income will not change the nature of the payment. An amount that is capital in nature will remain capital notwithstanding that it is specifically included in the assessable income of the taxpayer. In your case, you incurred the legal expenses claiming unfair dismissal which resulted in the receipt of an ETP. As previously stated, legal expenses relating to unfair dismissal are capital in nature. Furthermore, although the ETP may be included in the assessable income, the ETP retains its character as a capital receipt. The legal expenses incurred are of a capital nature and are therefore not deductible.

Relevant facts: You were employed from mid-20XX until you were terminated in mid-20YY. | You lodged an application to deal with a general protections dispute before the Fair Work Commission. | You received a settlement sum comprising half for economic loss and half for non-economic loss. | You incurred legal expenses.