Private ruling: Superannuation death benefit - interdependency
Date of advice: 5 December 2023
Published: 29 January 2024

Ruling: Q1: Is the Beneficiary a death benefits dependant of the Deceased according to section 302-195 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997), due to being in an interdependency relationship with the Deceased under section 302-200 of the ITAA 1997? | A1: No. An interdependency relationship as defined under section 302-200 of the ITAA 1997 did not exist between the Deceased and the Beneficiary, as all of the requirements set out in the legislation have not been satisfied in this case. Therefore, the Beneficiary is not a death benefits dependant of the Deceased as defined in section 302-195 of the ITAA 1997. Consequently, the taxable component of the superannuation lump sum death benefit paid to the Beneficiary is assessable income, taxed under section 302-145 of the ITAA 1997.


Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 302-60 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 302-145 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 302-195 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 302-200 | Income Tax Assessment (1997 Act) Regulations 2021 section 302-200.01 | Income Tax Assessment (1997 Act) Regulations 2021 section 302-200.02

Reasons for decision: Detailed Reasoning - Meaning of death benefits dependant: Subsection 995-1(1) of the ITAA 1997 states that the term 'death benefits dependant' has the meaning given by section 302-195 of the ITAA 1997. Subsection 302-195(1) of the ITAA 1997 defines a death benefits dependant as follows: A death benefits dependant, of a person who has died, is a. the deceased person's spouse or former spouse; or b. the deceased person's child, aged less than 18; or c. any other person with whom the deceased person had an interdependency relationship under section 302-200 just before he or she died; or d. any other person who was a dependant of the deceased person just before he or she died. As the Beneficiary is the adult child of the Deceased, paragraphs 302-195(1)(a) and (b) of the ITAA 1997 are not applicable. The definition of death benefits dependant does not stipulate the nature or degree of dependency required to be a dependant of the deceased person in paragraph 302-195(1)(d) of the ITAA 1997. However, it is generally accepted that this paragraph refers to financial dependence. The Beneficiary was not financially dependent on the Deceased person and therefore, paragraph 302-195(1)(d) of the ITAA 1997 is not applicable. To meet the definition of a death benefits dependant, the Beneficiary must have been in an interdependency relationship with the Deceased, in accordance with paragraph 302-195(1)(c) of the ITAA 1997. | Detailed Reasoning - Interdependency relationship: Under subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997, an interdependency relationship is defined as: Two persons (whether or not related by family) have an interdependency relationship under this section if: a. they have a close personal relationship; and b. they live together; and c. one or each of them provides the other with financial support; and d. one or each of them provides the other with domestic support and personal care. Subsection 302-200(2) of the ITAA 1997 states: In addition, 2 persons (whether or not related by family) also have an interdependency relationship under this section if: a. they have a close personal relationship; and b. they do not satisfy one or more of the requirements of an interdependency relationship mentioned in paragraphs (1)(b), (c) and (d); and c. the reason they do not satisfy those requirements is that either or both of them suffer from a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability. To assist in determining whether two people have an interdependency relationship, paragraph 302-200(3)(a) of the ITAA 1997 provides that the regulations may specify the matters that are or are not to be taken into account. Subsection 302-200.01(2) of the Income Tax Assessment (1997 Act) Regulations 2021 (ITAR 2021) states the matters to be taken into account. These matters are all of the circumstances of the relationship between the persons, including (where relevant): a. the duration of the relationship b. the ownership, use and acquisition of property c. the degree of mutual commitment to a shared life d. the reputation and public aspects of the relationship e. the degree of emotional support f. the extent to which the relationship is one of mere convenience g. any evidence that the parties intend the relationship to be permanent; and h. the existence of a statutory declaration signed by one of the persons to the effect that the person is, or (in the case of a statutory declaration made after the end of the relationship) was in an interdependency relationship with the other person. Paragraph 302-200(3)(b) of the ITAA 1997 states that the regulations may specify the circumstances in which two people have, or do not have an interdependency relationship. Section 302-200.02 of the ITAR 2021 sets out the circumstances in which two people have an interdependency relationship. Subsection 302-200.02(2) of the ITAR 2021 provides that an interdependency relationship exists between two people where: a. they satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 302-200(1)(a) to (c) of the ITAA 1997; and b. one or both of them provides the other with support and care of a type and quality normally provided in a close personal relationship rather than by a mere friend or flatmate, for example one person provides significant care for the other person when they are unwell or suffering emotionally. Subsections 302-200.02(3) and (4) of the ITAR 2021 provide that an interdependency relationship also exists between two people where: a. they have a close personal relationship; and b. they do not satisfy one or more of the other requirements set out in subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997 because: i) they are temporarily living apart, for example because one of them is temporarily working overseas or in gaol; or ii) one (or both) of them suffers from a disability. Subsection 302-200.02(5) of the ITAR 2021 states that two persons do not have an interdependency relationship if one of them provides domestic support and personal care to the other: a. under an employment contract or a contract for services; or b. on behalf of another person or organisation such as a government agency, a body corporate or a benevolent or charitable organisation. All of the conditions in subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997, or alternatively, subsection 302-200(2) of the ITAA 1997, or one of the tests in section 302-200.02 of the ITAR 2021 must be satisfied for a person to be in an interdependency relationship with another person. We deal with each condition in turn, to establish if an interdependency relationship existed. | Detailed Reasoning - Close personal relationship: The first requirement to be met is specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(a) of the ITAA 1997, which states that the two persons (whether or not related by family) must have a close personal relationship. This requirement is common to all of the tests specified in section 302-200 of the ITAA 1997 and section 302-200.02 of the ITAR 2021. A detailed explanation of subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997 is set out in the Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum (SEM) to the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Choice of Superannuation Funds) Act 2004, which states: a. A close personal relationship will be one that involves a demonstrated and ongoing commitment to the emotional support and well-being of the two parties. b. Indicators of a close personal relationship may include: i) the duration of the relationship; ii) the degree of mutual commitment to a shared life; iii) the reputation and public aspects of the relationship (such as whether the relationship is publicly acknowledged). The above indicators are not an exclusive list and none of them are required for a close personal relationship to exist. People who share accommodation for convenience (such as flatmates) or people who provide care as part of an employment relationship or on behalf of a charity are not intended to fall within the definition of a close personal relationship The Explanatory Statement to the Income Tax Amendment Regulations 2005 (No. 7) stated that: a. Generally speaking, it is not expected that children will be in an interdependency relationship with their parents. While this statement does not preclude a child from being in an interdependency relationship with a parent, it suggests that interdependency only exists where the relationship goes beyond the usual relationship between an adult child and a parent. A close personal relationship as specified in subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997 would not normally exist between a parent and an adult child because there would not be a mutual commitment to a shared life between the two. In addition, the relationship between parents and their adult children would be expected to change significantly over time. It would be expected that the adult child would eventually move out and secure independence from their parents. However, where unusual and exceptional circumstances exist, a relationship between a parent and an adult child may be treated as an interdependency relationship for the purposes of subsection 302-200(1) of the ITAA 1997. The relationship between the Beneficiary and the Deceased was not over and above a normal family relationship between a parent and an adult child. No evidence has been provided to suggest a mutual commitment to a shared life existed between the Beneficiary and the Deceased. It was not the case that the Beneficiary had always lived with the Deceased, and intended to always do so. While the parties had lived together for a reasonable period of time, the Beneficiary had lived apart from the Deceased for a reasonable part of their adult life. While a moderate level of financial support was provided, it is not considered that this is unusual between a parent and an adult child. No evidence has been presented to indicate that the Deceased required the Beneficiary to provide them with a substantive level of personal care. Therefore, a close personal relationship did not exist between the Beneficiary and the Deceased and the first requirement specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(a) of the ITAA 1997 has not been satisfied in this case. | Detailed Reasoning - Living together: The second requirement to be met is specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(b) of the ITAA 1997 and states that two interdependent persons (whether or not related by family) live together. The term 'live' is not defined in the ITAA 1997 or accompanying regulations. According to the Macquarie Dictionary, the term 'live' means to dwell or reside. The term 'reside' is defined as the action of dwelling in a particular place permanently or for a considerable time. In the context of paragraph 302-200(1)(b) of the ITAA 1997, the living arrangements must have some degree of permanency that is only disturbed by the death of one of the persons. Prior to the Deceased's death, the Beneficiary and the Deceased lived together. A bank statement for the Beneficiary for the relevant period supports that the Beneficiary resided at the relevant address at that time. Tax office records show that the Beneficiary lived at that same address during the relevant period. Documentation provided, in the form of bank statements and utility notices, also show the Deceased residing at that same address, prior to their passing. Tax office records show the Deceased living at that address during the relevant period. While the Beneficiary has indicated that they lived separately to the Deceased to some extent, in that the Deceased resided in the main premises, and the Beneficiary in a lined room within a shed at the rear of the property, it is accepted, for the purposes of this ruling, that the parties lived together. Consequently, the requirement specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(b) of the ITAA 1997 has been satisfied in this case. | Detailed Reasoning - Financial support: The third requirement to be met is specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(c) of the ITAA 1997, which states that one or each of these two persons provides the other with financial support. Financial support under paragraph 302-200(1)(c) of the ITAA 1997 is satisfied if some level of financial support (not necessarily substantial) is being provided by one person (or each of them) to the other. The Beneficiary had sufficient income from employment and Australian Government allowances and payments to support themselves financially and was not financially dependent on the Deceased. The Deceased had sufficient income from employment to support themselves financially and was not financially dependent on the Beneficiary. However, 'financial support' does not equate with financial dependence. The level of financial support required does not have to be substantial. Contradictory statements have been made concerning the provision of financial support, with the Beneficiary both stating that they provided cash towards utilities, and that the Deceased paid for all utilities. In addition, limited documentation has been provided to confirm the provision of financial support between the parties. However, it is accepted that such documentation can be difficult to provide, particularly where cash is involved, and it is considered that a limited degree of financial support is in evidence. It is accepted that a level of financial support was present in the relationship, just before the Deceased died. Consequently, paragraph 302-200(1)(c) of the ITAA 1997 has been satisfied. | Detailed Reasoning - Domestic support and personal care: The fourth requirement to be met is specified in paragraph 302-200(1)(d) of the ITAA 1997, which states that one or each of these two persons provides the other with domestic support and personal care. In discussing the meaning of domestic support and personal care, paragraph 2.16 of the SEM states: a. Domestic support and personal care will commonly be of a frequent and ongoing nature. For example, domestic support services will consist of attending to the household shopping, cleaning, laundry, and like services. Personal care services may commonly consist of assistance with mobility, personal hygiene and generally ensuring the physical and emotional comfort of a person. The statements provided suggest that the Beneficiary provided the Deceased with some level of domestic support, in terms of assisting with the general upkeep of the property they shared, and regular tasks such as shopping and cleaning. However, no evidence has been provided to suggest personal care was provided, nor that the Deceased suffered from any illness or condition which would require him to be provided with any such care. Therefore, the requirement in paragraph 302-200(1)(d) of the ITAA 1997 has not been satisfied. | Detailed Reasoning - Conclusion: As all of the requirements in section 302-200 of the ITAA 1997 have not been satisfied, the Deceased and Beneficiary were not in an interdependency relationship in the period just before the Deceased's death. As the Beneficiary was not in an interdependency relationship with the Deceased, the Beneficiary is not a death benefits dependant as defined under section 302-195 of the ITAA 1997.