Private ruling: prize money
Published: January 2012
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 2012
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 2011

Ruling: Q1: Is your prize money regarded as assessable income? | A1: No.


Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 6-5.

Reasons for decision: Summary: Subsection 6-5(2) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) provides that the assessable income of an Australian resident includes ordinary income derived directly or indirectly from all sources, whether in or out of Australia, during the income year. Generally speaking, a receipt will be income according to ordinary concepts if it is a receipt arising out of a taxpayer's employment, business activities or income producing activities. This will be so even if the receipt is not directly related to any service provided by the recipient to the donor ( FC of T v Dixon (1952) 86 CLR 540 ( Dixon's case )). However, windfall gains which result from winning a prize, a lottery or any other game of chance are not assessable. Also, a receipt that is a mere gift will not constitute income according to ordinary concepts. For example, if an award is attributable to the personal qualities of an individual, it is generally a gift and therefore not assessable income. In determining whether a prize or gift is ordinary income, the courts have established that consideration of the whole of the circumstances is necessary and that the following factors need to be taken into account : · how, in what capacity, and for what reason the recipient received the prize or gift ( Squatting Investment Co Ltd v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1953) 86 CLR 570, (1953) 5 AITR 496; (1953) 10 ATD 126 ( Squatting Investment case ) · whether the prize or gift is of a kind which is a common incident of the recipient's calling or occupation ( Scott v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1966) 117 CLR 514; (1966) 10 AITR 367; (1966) 14 ATD 286 ( Scott's case ) · whether the prize or gift is made voluntarily · whether the prize or gift is solicited ( Hayes v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1956) 96 CLR 47; (1956) 6 AITR 248; (1956) 11 ATD 68 ( Hayes' case ) and Scott's case ) · whether the prize or gift can be traced to gratitude engendered by some service rendered by the recipient to the prize or gift donor ( Squatting Investment case ) · the motive of the prize or gift donor (though this factor is rarely decisive in itself) ( Hayes' case ); and · whether the recipient relies on the prize or gift for regular maintenance of themselves and any dependants ( Dixon's case ) and FC of T v. Blake (1984) 75 FLR 315; (1984) 15 ATR 1006; 84 ATC 4661). The Commissioner's view on the assessability of money received by way of awards and prizes is set out in Income Tax Rulings IT 2145, IT 2474 and IT 167. IT 2145 addresses BHP Awards for the Pursuit of Excellence which are made to Australians who have made outstanding contributions to the pursuit of excellence in their particular fields of endeavour and who may not yet be recognised for their achievements. The ruling states: "Although undoubtedly it will be the case that awards sometimes will be made in respect of achievements directly related to a winner's vocation, business, etc., the nature of the award is that of a personal windfall or gain not having the qualities of income. Such awards therefore, will not be assessable income in the hands of recipients." The winners of the BHP Awards for the Pursuit of Excellence are chosen from six categories which are claimed to cover every occupation and pursuit so that entry is open to all, whether by nomination of others or self nomination. The judging of the awards is by special panels including experts in the particular category and anyone who has achieved excellence will be eligible in one category or another except for employees of BHP. IT 2474 deals with the assessability of payments received under the Military Skills Award program. Military Skills Awards are made to successful participants in military skills competitions conducted in or between units in the Australian Regular Army and Army Reserve. For a member of the Australian Regular Army, participation in a military skills competition is regarded as part of his duties as an employee and the cash prizes are part of the pay and allowances arising from the performance of those duties. The cash prizes are therefore assessable income under section 6-5 of the ITAA 1997. IT167 states that windfall gains resulting from winning a prize in a lottery or in a competition are generally non-assessable. However, where a taxpayer makes regular appearances on radio or television programs, the rewards for appearing, whether appearance fees or prizes in cash or kind, may be assessable. In the absence of any unusual features, it is considered that no liability to tax would ordinarily arise where a member of the general public participates casually in a competition and wins a prize. A windfall gain of this nature would not have the character of income. When considering prizes won by professional sportspersons, IT 167 states in paragraph 5: "A prize or award won in circumstances where it is an incident of the taxpayer's income producing activities (for example, a 'best player' award won by a professional footballer in a newspaper competition) or where it is part of the proceeds of a business conducted by the taxpayer (for example, a prize won by an author in a literary competition) would have the character of income. It is clear from the above that prizes will not constitute assessable income if they are received as a result of the personal qualities of the recipient. However, prizes that relate to a taxpayers income producing activities will be assessable under section 6-5 of the ITAA 1997. In your case, the prize did not relate to your employment. You entered a competition with a chance of winning a prize. The competition was open to people from various backgrounds. It is considered that your prize is not the product or consequence of your income producing activities. The prize can be compared to the BHP Awards which are set out in IT 2145. Similarities of the two awards include judging by a panel of experts and industry representatives. Winners of the BHP award are chosen from six categories which are claimed to cover every occupation. This compares to your prize which is open to all individuals. It is considered that the Commissioner's views in IT 2145 apply to your prize as the prize was awarded on the basis for the best relevant skills irrespective of their occupation. The prize money is a windfall gain. Therefore, the prize is not assessable income under section 6-5 of the ITAA 1997. Section 118-37(1) of the ITAA 1997 states that a game or competition with prizes do not give rise to a capital gain under the capital gains tax provisions. There are no other provisions that relate to your prize money. Therefore, the prize money is not assessable as ordinary or statutory income.

Please check this edited version to be sure that there are no details remaining that you think may allow you to be identified. If you have any concerns about this ruling you wish to discuss, you will find our contact details in the fact sheet. | Relevant facts: You were a winner of a competition and were awarded prize money. | You were not working in a related industry before the competition.