Private ruling: Lump sum compensation payments paid pursuant to the Return to Work Act 2014 (South Australia) (RWA).
Date of advice: 26 July 2019
Published: September 2019
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 2019
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 2018

Ruling: Q1: Will the amount or any portion thereof to be paid pursuant to section 33 and 54 of the Return to Work Act 2014 (SA) (RWA) be included in your assessable income? | A1: No. 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 the capital gains tax provisions of the ITAA 1997, also will not operate to make the payment assessable. Therefore the payment you receive will not be included in your assessable income.

Relevant facts and circumstances: You sustained compensable disabilities said to have arisen from your employment. You will receive a redemption offer pursuant to section 33 and 54 of the RWA. 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