Private ruling: Commissioner’s discretion for non-commercial losses
Date of advice: 27 July 2018
Published: September 2018
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 20XX
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 20XX

Ruling: Q1: Will the Commissioner exercise the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(a) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) to allow you to include any losses from your business activity in your calculation of taxable income for the 20XX financial year? | A1: Yes. Having regard to your full circumstances, it is accepted that your business activity was affected by special circumstances outside your control. It is also accepted that, but for the special circumstances, you would have made a tax profit, and you have met, or would have met one of the four tests. Consequently the Commissioner will exercise his discretion in the 20XX financial year.

Relevant facts and circumstances: You do not satisfy the <$250,000 income requirement set out in subsection 35-10(2E) of the ITAA 1997. You carry on a business activity. You were prevented from operating your business activity to full capacity by circumstances outside of your control in the 20XX financial year. You project that your activity will make a profit in the 20XX financial year.

Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 subsection 35-10(1) | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 subsection 35-10(2) | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 subsection 35-10(2E) | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 paragraph 35-55(1)(a)