Private ruling: Non-commercial losses
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 2010
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 2009

Ruling: Q1: Will the Commissioner exercise the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(c) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) to allow you to include any losses from your business activity in your calculation of taxable income for the 2009-10 and financial year? | A1: Yes. Note: The issue of this ruling of itself does not constitute a decision of the Commissioner under subsection 35-55(1) of the ITAA 1997 that the loss deferral rule in subsection 35-10(2) of the ITAA 1997 does not apply to you for the year in question. That decision can only be made in issuing you your assessment, following lodgement of your income tax return for this year, being that for the 2009-10 financial year. You can lodge this return on the basis that the Commissioner is bound to make this decision as set out in this ruling, where the facts set out in the ruling do not differ materially from the actual facts concerning your business activity.

Relevant facts and circumstances: You sold an asset in the 2009-10 financial year and made a net taxable capital gain of over $250,000. In the 2009-10 financial year you started a business. You made a loss in the 2009-10 financial year in relation to your business. You submit that due to the situation in your area it is unlikely that the business will show a profit for the 2010-11 financial year. Due to the situation clientele were unable to access the business or had other imperative issues that took precedence. The relevant period is the busiest period of the year for your type of business. However, since that time business has improved and you expect to make a profit in the 2011-12 financial year. You have submitted third party evidence to show that a commercially viable time frame for making a profit would be at least a number of years in your industry.

Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 35-10 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Subsection 35-10(2E) | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Subsection 35-55(1) | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Paragraph 35-55(1)(c)

Reasons for decision: Summary: For the 2009-10 and later financial years, Division 35 of the ITAA 1997 will apply to defer a non-commercial loss from a business activity unless: · you meet the income requirement and you pass one of the four tests · the exceptions apply · the Commissioner exercises his discretion. In your situation, you do not satisfy the income requirement (that is, your taxable income, reportable fringe benefits and reportable superannuation contributions but excluding your business losses, exceeds $250,000) and do not come under any of the exceptions. Your business losses are therefore subject to the deferral rule unless the Commissioner exercises his discretion. The relevant discretion may be exercised for the income year in question where: · it is in the nature of your business activity that there will be a period before a tax profit can be produced · there is an objective expectation your business activity will produce a tax profit within the commercially viable period for your industry. Having regard to your full circumstances, it is accepted that it is the nature of the business activity that has prevented you making a tax profit. It is also accepted that you will make a tax profit within the commercially viable period for your industry. Consequently the Commissioner will exercise his discretion in the 2009-10 financial year.

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