Private ruling: Assessability of a workers compensation payment
Published: December 2014
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 2015.
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 2014.

Ruling: Q1: Will the amounts or any portion thereof to be paid pursuant to sections 32 and 42 of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986 (SA) (WRCA), be included in your assessable income? | A1: No.

Relevant facts and circumstances: You sustained compensable disabilities said to have arisen from your employment. You will receive a redemption offer pursuant to sections 32 and 42 of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986 (SA) (WRCA). As part of the agreement you have to resign.

Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 6-5 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 15-30 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 118-37

Reasons for decision: Summary: Section 6-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) deals with receipts of ordinary income. It does not operate to include in assessable income amounts of a capital nature. The money to be received will be capital in nature and therefore not assessable income. Additionally, as the criteria in subsection 82-135(i) of the ITAA 1997 is satisfied the payment is excluded from being an Eligible Termination Payment. The other applicable sections, section 15-30 of the ITAA 1997 and section 118-37 of the ITAA 1997, also will not apply to make the income assessable. Therefore the payments you receive will not be included in your assessable income.