Private ruling: Residency status of a self-managed superannuation fund
Published: June 2015
Ruling period: Year ending 30 June 2015 | Year ending 30 June 2016
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 2014

Ruling: Q1: Is the Fund an Australian superannuation fund as defined in subsection 295-95(2) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 ? | A1: Yes.

Relevant facts and circumstances: Member 1 and Member 2 are the only members the Fund. The Fund is a complying self-managed superannuation fund. Member 1 and Member 2 are the directors of the corporate trustee of the Fund. The Fund was established in Australia. In the relevant income year Member 1 and Member 2 left on an extended overseas holiday. Member 1 and Member 2 were aware that they would need to be back in Australia within two years to ensure there were no issues with the residency of the Fund. It was intended that Member 1 and Member 2 return to Australia within two years. Due to unforeseen circumstances Member 1 and Member 2 have been unable to continue their travels back to Australia. Member 1 and Member 2's return to Australia is dependent upon repairs which may take a specified period of time. Member 1 and Member 2 intend to return to Australia once the required repairs have been completed. Member 1 and Member 2 have no fixed abode overseas. Whilst Member 1 and Member 2 have been overseas any correspondence for the Fund has been sent to the Fund's tax agent. The Fund's tax agent then emails Member 1 and Member 2 who take action as required. Member 1 and Member 2 exercise full control over the Fund via electronic means. Member 1 and Member 2 have retained their bank accounts and share holdings in Australia. Member 1 and Member 2 have maintained their professional registrations in Australia. There have been no contributions to the Fund by the members, or on behalf of the members, whilst they have been overseas. The Fund's financial statements show that the Fund's assets are primarily in a direct investment account, shares in listed companies and units in listed unit trusts.

Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 295-95. | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Subsection 295-95(2). | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Paragraph 295-95(2)(a). | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Paragraph 295-95(2)(b). | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Paragraph 295-95(2)(c). | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Subsection 295-95(3). | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Subsection 295-95(4).

Reasons for decision: Summary: The Fund satisfies all the tests set out in subsection 295-95(2) of the ITAA 1997 and is therefore an Australian superannuation fund for income tax purposes. It is considered that the central management and control of the Fund will remain 'ordinarily in Australia'. | Detailed Reasoning - Detailed reasoning: Subsection 295-95(2) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) defines what is an Australian superannuation fund. Subsection 295-95(2) of the ITAA 1997 provides that: A superannuation fund is an Australian superannuation fund at a time, and for the income year in which that time occurs, if: (a) the fund was established in Australia, or any asset of the fund is situated in Australia at that time; and (b) at that time, the central management and control of the fund is ordinarily in Australia; and (c) at that time either the fund had no member covered by subsection (3) (an active member ) or at least 50% of: (i) the total market value of the fund's assets attributable to superannuation interests held by active members; or (ii) the sum of the amounts that would be payable to or in respect of active members if they voluntarily ceased to be members; is attributable to superannuation interests held by active members who are Australian residents. There are three tests that a fund must satisfy in order to be treated as an Australian superannuation fund as defined in subsection 295-95(2) of the ITAA 1997. If a fund fails to satisfy any one of the conditions at a particular time, it will not be an Australian superannuation fund at that time, even if it satisfies the other two conditions. The Commissioner of Taxation has issued a Taxation Ruling TR 2008/9 entitled - Income tax: meaning of 'Australian superannuation fund' in subsection 295-95(2) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (TR 2008/9). The ruling sets out the Commissioner's interpretation of the definition of 'Australian superannuation fund'. | Detailed Reasoning - Test One: Fund established in Australia or any asset of the fund is situated in Australia: The first test that a superannuation fund must satisfy to be an Australian superannuation fund at that time is that the fund was either established in Australia, or any asset of the fund is situated in Australia at the relevant time. This is a question of fact. A superannuation fund will be established when the trust deed governing the operation of the fund is signed and executed and money or other property is transferred to the trustee of the fund as an initial contribution, to be held on trust for the beneficiaries (members) of the fund. A superannuation fund will be established in Australia if the initial contribution is paid to and accepted by the trustee of the fund in Australia. The establishment of the fund requirement in paragraph 295-95(2)(a) of the ITAA 1997 is a once and for all requirement. That is, once it is determined that a fund was established in Australia, it will satisfy the first test at all relevant times. If it is determined that the fund was not established in Australia, then the alternative requirement in paragraph 295-95(2)(a), namely location of the assets of the fund, must be considered. In the present case, the Fund was established in Australia. Therefore the first requirement under paragraph 295-95(2)(a) of the ITAA 1997 has been satisfied. | Detailed Reasoning - Test Two: The CM&C of the fund ordinarily in Australia: The second test, and one of the key requirements that a superannuation fund must satisfy to be an Australian superannuation fund at a particular time, is that the Central Management and Control (CM&C) of the fund is ordinarily in Australia. Generally, the location of where important decisions are made is the location of the relevant management and control. The concept of CM&C is not defined in the ITAA 1997 or in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936). In addition, the Explanatory Memorandum to the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Simplification) Act 2007 (which inserted section 295-95 of the ITAA 1997) does not provide any guidance as to its meaning. Therefore it must be given its ordinary or common law meaning. The policy intention of the amendment was to simplify the scope of the superannuation fund residency definition and give effect to a minor policy change in respect of the application of the CM&C test. The concept of CM&C was developed by the courts as a common law rule for determining the residence of a company. To determine the location of the CM&C of a fund at a point in time, it is necessary to consider what constitutes the CM&C of a fund and who it is that exercises the CM&C of a fund. Paragraph 20 of TR 2008/9 states that the CM&C of a superannuation fund involves a focus on the who, when and where of the strategic and high level decision making processes and activities of the fund. In the context of the operations of a superannuation fund, the strategic and high level decision making processes includes the performance of the following duties and activities: • formulating the investment strategy for the fund; • reviewing and updating or varying the fund's investment strategy as well as monitoring and reviewing the performance of the fund's investments; • if the fund has reserves - the formulation of a strategy for their prudential management; and • determining how the assets of the fund are to be used to fund member benefits. Establishing who is exercising the CM&C of the fund is a question of fact to be determined with reference to the circumstances of each case. While it is the trustee of the fund which has the legal responsibility or duty to exercise the CM&C of a superannuation fund, the mere duty to exercise CM&C does not, of itself, constitute CM&C. If the trustee in fact performs the high level duties and activities of the fund, they will be exercising the CM&C of the fund in practice. Paragraph 26 of TR 2008/9 states: The trustee of a fund may seek external advice relating to the performance of their high level duties and activities. Provided that the trustee in fact makes the strategic and high level decisions for the fund, the circumstance that the trustee acts on or is influenced by such advice does not affect the fact that the trustee is exercising the CM&C of the fund. However, there may be situations where a person other than the trustee is exercising the CM&C of the fund. If a person other than the trustee of the fund independently and without any influence from the trustee performs those duties and activities that constitute the CM&C of the fund, that person is exercising the CM&C of the fund. As directors of the corporate trustee of the Fund, Member 1 and Member 2 perform the high level and strategic decisions in relation to the Fund and it is considered that they exercise the CM&C of the Fund. | Detailed Reasoning - Location of the CM&C: The location of the CM&C of the fund is determined by where the high level and strategic decisions of the fund are made and high level duties and activities are in fact performed. Thus, if the trustees of the fund ordinarily reside overseas (notwithstanding that they may be Australian residents for income tax purposes) then, unless there is evidence to the contrary, the conclusion would be that the CM&C of the fund is overseas. Whether the CM&C of a fund is ordinarily in Australia at a particular time is to be determined by the relevant facts and circumstances of each case. It involves determining whether, in the ordinary course of events, the CM&C of the fund is regularly, usually or customarily exercised in Australia. There must be some element of continuity or permanence if the CM&C of the fund is to be regarded as being ordinarily in Australia. | Detailed Reasoning - CM&C - temporary absences: To provide certainty to trustees of superannuation funds, especially trustees of a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF), subsection 295-95(4) of the ITAA 1997 was inserted into the definition of 'Australian superannuation fund'. This subsection explains that the CM&C of a superannuation fund is considered to be ordinarily in Australia even if that CM&C is temporarily outside Australia, where it is for a period of not more than two years. Where the trustees are temporarily absent from Australia for a period of up to two years, then subsection 295-95(4) of the ITAA 1997 makes it clear that the CM&C is ordinarily in Australia. On the other hand, it is considered that where the trustees of the fund are absent from Australia for a period greater than two years, the fund will only satisfy the test in subsection 295-95(2) if the trustees can establish that their absence was of a temporary nature. At paragraph 33 of TR 2008/9 it states: The CM&C of a fund will be 'temporarily' outside Australia if the person or persons who exercise the CM&C of the fund are outside Australia for a relatively short period of time and during that time they exercise the CM&C of the fund overseas. The duration of the absence must either be defined in advance or related (both in intention and fact) to the fulfilment of a specific, passing purpose. Whether an absence is considered to be temporary involves considerations of questions of degree which must be decided by reference to the circumstances of each particular case. In this case whilst Member 1 and Member 2 will be overseas, the period of their absence had been defined in advance as being no longer than two years. However, due to the unforeseen circumstances, Member 1 and Member 2 have been unable to return to Australia within two years. Due to unforeseen circumstances Member 1 and Member 2 have been unable to continue their travels back to Australia. Member 1 and Member 2's return to Australia is dependent upon repairs which may take a specified period of time. Member 1 and Member 2 intend to return to Australia once the required repairs have been completed. Member 1 and Member 2, as directors of the corporate trustee of the Fund, have exercised full control over the Fund via electronic means while overseas. The Fund's financial statements show that the Fund's assets are primarily in a direct investment account, shares in listed companies and units in listed unit trusts. Member 1 and Member 2's absence from Australia is temporary. Member 1 and Member 2 have no fixed abode overseas. Member 1 and Member 2 have retained their bank account and share holdings in Australia. In addition, both members have maintained their professional registrations in Australia. Due to the above reasons whilst the CM&C of the Fund may be outside of Australia for a period greater than two years, the period of absence of the CM&C is temporary. The CM&C of the Fund remains ordinarily in Australia. Therefore, the Fund satisfies the CM&C test under paragraph 295-95(2)(b) of the ITAA 1997. | Detailed Reasoning - Test Three: The active member test: The third test that must be satisfied for a fund to be an Australian superannuation fund at a particular time is the 'active member' test. In accordance with paragraph 295-95(2)(c) of the ITAA 1997 the 'active member' test is satisfied if, at the relevant time: • the fund has no 'active member'; or • at least 50% of the total market value of the fund's assets attributable to superannuation interests held by active members is attributable to superannuation interests held by active members who are Australian residents (subparagraph 295-95(2)(c)(i) of the ITAA 1997); or • at least 50% of the sum of the amounts that would be payable to or in respect of active members if they voluntarily ceased to be members is attributable to superannuation interests held by active members who are Australian residents (subparagraph 295-95(2)(c)(ii) of the ITAA 1997). As defined in subsection 295-95(3) of the ITAA 1997, a member is an active member at a particular time if the member is: (a) a contributor to the fund at that time; or (b) an individual on whose behalf contributions have been made, other than an individual: (i) who is a foreign resident; and (ii) who is not a contributor at that time; and (iii) for whom contributions made to the fund on the individual's behalf after the individual became a foreign resident are only payments in respect of a time when the individual was an Australian resident. The term 'contributor' in the definition of active member is not defined. Therefore, it is to be given its ordinary meaning subject to the context in which it appears. The concept of a 'contributor' within the context of the active member test is directed at establishing the status of a member as a contributor at a particular point in time, not on the specific act of contributing. In this case the Fund has no active members. There have been no contributions to the Fund in respect of either member while they have been overseas. Therefore, the requirement under paragraph 295-95(2)(c) of the ITAA 1997 has been satisfied.