Private ruling: CGT- Income tax exempt body
Published: April 2014
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June XXXX | Year ended 30 June YYYY
Date scheme commenced: 1 July ZZZZ

Ruling: Q1: Will any capital gain or profit arising from the disposal of the lots from Company A to Company B be exempt from income tax as provided for by section 6-20 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) subject to special conditions? | A1: Yes

Relevant facts and circumstances: This ruling is based on the facts stated in the description of the scheme that is set out below. If your circumstances are materially different from these facts, this ruling has no effect and you cannot rely on it. The fact sheet has more information about relying on your private ruling. Company A is proposing to transfer properties to a wholly owned subsidiary Company B. The consideration to be paid by Company B is nominal. Company A is an endorsed charitable institution for income tax purposes in accordance with Subdivision 50-B of the ITAA 1997. It is also an endorsed deductible gift recipient under item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the ITAA 1997. Company B is an endorsed charitable institution but not a deductible gift recipient. Both Company A and Company B are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Company A and Company B's objects are set out in their constitutions as follows: Company's Object 3.1 (a) The company is established for the public charitable object of providing reli against poverty, distress and helplessness in such localities within Australia as the Board may from time to time, determine. (b) The Directors may, in relation to the Object: (1) formulate policies and guidelines for their implementation; (2) revoke or amend any policy or guideline and formulate others; and (3) take any other action consistent with achieving the Object, including determining the localities in which the Company's operations are to be undertaken. Both Company A and Company B are registered providers under the relevant government act subject to compliance with this act's regulations and registration conditions. Company A currently holds legal and beneficial title to the properties. The properties were vested to Company A by the government at no cost to Company A. The transfers were published in the government gazette. One of several conditions for Company A receiving the properties from the government is that it must increase the number of aid in certain service sectors of the community it provides in the future. It can use the equity in the properties to secure funding from financial institutions to invest to achieve its objects. It must leverage its assets at a rate that, in the opinion of the Registrar, delivers sustainable and optimal growth. The leveraging targets are set out in the agreement entered into between government and Company A, whereby it will leverage off properties to acquire more properties over a period of time. Both Company A and Company B are to fund the increase in property holdings by borrowing against the equity of the properties. Company B is to fund the increase in aid by borrowing against the equity of the existing properties transferred to it. The intended use of the new properties by Company B is to carry out its activities as per its objectives for which it was established, and on the basis of which it received its tax exempt status. Company B is to raise a financing facility using the security of the properties transferred, and the underlying cash flows from other related income sources to service the borrowing. Company A is currently in advanced discussions with the bank regarding obtaining the finance. Company A incorporated Company B specifically to obtain a new financing facility.

Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 50-1 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 6-20 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 6-15 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 118-12 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 50-5 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 50-50 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 50-52 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 50-110 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 50-47

Reasons for decision: Summary: Section 50-1 of the ITAA 1997 provides that ordinary and statutory income of the entities covered by item 1.1 of the table in section 50-5 of the ITAA 1997 is exempt from income tax subject to special conditions. Subsection 6-20(1) of the ITAA 1997 provides that an amount of ordinary or statutory income is exempt income if it is made exempt from income tax by a provision of this Act or another Commonwealth law. Subsection 6-15(2) of the ITAA 1997 provides that if an amount is exempt income, it is not assessable income. It should be noted that if an amount is exempt income, there are other consequences besides it being exempt from income tax such as capital gains and losses on assets used solely to produce exempt income are disregarded as provided for by subsection 118-12(1) of the ITAA 1997. Subsection 118-12(1) of the ITAA 1997 provides that a capital gain or capital loss you make from a CGT asset that you used solely to produce your exempt income is disregarded. Subsection 50-50(1) of the ITAA 1997 provides that an entity covered by item 1.1 of the table in section 50-5 of ITAA 1997 is not exempt from income tax unless the entity has a physical presence in Australia and, to that extent, incurs its expenditure and pursues its objectives principally in Australia. In addition, the entity must also comply with all the substantive requirements in its governing rules and apply its income and assets solely for the purpose for which it is established as per subsection 50-50 (2) of the ITAA 1997. Subsection 50-52(1) of the ITAA 1997 provides that an entity covered by item 1.1 of the table in section 50-5 of the ITAA 1997 is not exempt from income tax unless the entity is endorsed as exempt from income tax under Subdivision 50-B of the ITAA 1997. Subsection 50-110(1) of the ITAA 1997 provides that an entity is entitled to be endorsed as exempt from income tax if the entity meets all the relevant requirements of this section. Subsection 50-110(2) of the ITAA 1997 provides that the entity must be an entity covered by item 1.1 of the table in section 50-5 of the ITAA 1997. Subsection 50-110(3) of the ITAA 1997 provides that the entity must have an ABN. Subsection 50-110(5) of the ITAA 1997 provides that the entity must meet the relevant conditions referred to in the column headed "Special conditions" of item 1.1 of the table in section 50-5 of the ITAA 1997. The entity must also satisfy section 50-47 of the ITAA 1997, if the entity is an ACNC type of entity. Subsection 50-47 of the ITAA 1997 provides that an entity that is covered by any item of the table in section 50-5 of the ITAA 1997, and is an ACNC type of entity, is not exempt from income tax unless the entity is registered under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 . To avoid doubt, subsection 50-110(6) of the ITAA 1997 provides that the condition set out in section 50-52 of the ITAA 1997, requiring the entity to be endorsed under Subdivision 50-B, is not a relevant condition for the purposes of subsection 50-110(5). | Detailed Reasoning - Application of the law: Company A is a registered X provider as provided for by the relevant government act. Company A is a registered charity covered by item 1.1 of the table in section 50-5 of the ITAA 1997. Therefore, its total ordinary and statutory income is exempt from income tax subject to special conditions as provided for by section 50-1 of the ITAA 1997. Company A has met the relevant conditions referred to in the column headed "Special conditions" of item 1.1 of the table in section 50-5 of the ITAA 1997 as it has a physical presence in Australia and to that extent, incurs its expenditure and pursues its objectives principally in Australia. In addition, it also complies with all the substantive requirements in its governing rules and applies its income and assets solely for the purpose for which it is established as provided for by subsection 50-50(1) of the ITAA 1997. Moreover, the disposal of the assets to Company B is in accordance with purpose for which it is established. Further, Company A has met all the relevant requirements under Subdivision 50-B as per Subsection 50-110(1). Company A has met the requirement of subsection 50-110(2) of the ITAA 1997 as it is a registered charity covered by item 1.1 of the table in section 50-5 of the ITAA 1997. Company A has met the requirement of subsection 50-110(3) of the ITAA 1997 as it has an ABN. Company A has satisfied subsection 50-47 of the ITAA 1997 as it is a registered charity covered by item 1.1 of the table in section 50-5 of the ITAA 1997, and is registered under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 as an ACNC type of entity. Therefore, the ordinary and statutory income of Company A is exempt income as provided for by subsection 6-20(1) of the ITAA 1997. Moreover, the capital gains that Company A makes from the sale of the properties to Company B is exempt income and not assessable.