Private ruling: relocation expenses
Published: January 2013
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 2012
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 2011

Ruling: Q1: Are you entitled to a deduction for the expenses of moving house and the associated costs? | A1: No


Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 8-1

Reasons for decision: Summary: Section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 allows a deduction for all losses and outgoings to the extent to which they are incurred in gaining or producing assessable income except where the outgoings are of a capital, private or domestic nature, or relate to the earning of exempt income. Taxation Ruling IT 2614 examines the deductibility of relocation expenses. The ruling states that expenses incurred in relocating to take up an appointment with a new or existing employer are not allowable deductions as they are private or domestic in nature. This is so, regardless of whether an allowance has been paid, or if the relocation was involuntary. Taxation Ruling IT 2481 also discusses this expense. At paragraph 9 the ruling states the expenditure is not incurred in gaining or producing income and is not deductible as the taxpayer is not travelling on work, but to work. This is consistent with the view in the Federal Court case Fullerton v. FC of T 91 ATC 4983; 22 ATR 757 ( Fullerton's case ). In Fullerton's case , it was held that the shortfall between the costs of relocation and the employer's partial reimbursement was not a loss or outgoing incurred in the gaining or producing of income, notwithstanding that the relocation was in response to the changing necessities of work. In your case, you incurred relocation expenditure due to your home being broken into and having to move from your current location. We understand that the move was not voluntary and has been necessitated by your current situation. However the expenses are not incurred in gaining or producing your assessable income. They are a prerequisite to earning that income and are of a private nature. Therefore, you are not entitled to a deduction for the expenses of removalist fees, security costs and other relocation expenses.

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 work in a particular profession and are regularly involved in delicate operations. | As a result of this and despite not making your address known, you have been broken into. | You have had to arrange temporary accommodation, which has been paid for by your employer and have incurred other expenditure, such as removalist fees, security costs, including dog expenses.