Private ruling: Non-commercial loss - Commissioner's discretion
Published: October 2014
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 20XX
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 2013

Ruling: Q1: Will the Commissioner exercise the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(b) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) to allow you to include any losses from your dairy farming business activity in the calculation of your taxable income for the 2013-14 financial year? | A1: Yes

Relevant facts and circumstances: You commenced a primary production business on 1 July 20XX. You operate the enterprise as a sole trader. You expect to have gross sales from this enterprise of more than $20,000 in the 20XX financial year, and expect to make a tax profit in the following year. Your other income for non-commercial loss purposes was more than $40,000 but less than $250,000 for the 20XX financial year.

Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Paragraph 35-55(1)(b)

Reasons for decision: Summary: For the 2009-10 and later income years, Division 35 of the ITAA 1997 will apply to defer a non-commercial loss from a business activity unless: • you satisfy the income requirement and you pass one of the four tests, or • the exceptions apply, or • the Commissioner exercises his discretion. The relevant discretion may be exercised for the income year in question where: • it is in the nature of the business activity that there will be a period of time before it can be expected to pass one of the four tests, or • there is an objective expectation your business activity will produce a tax profit or meet one of the four tests within a commercially viable period for your industry. Having regard to your full circumstances, it is accepted that it is in the nature of the business activity that has prevented one of the four tests being passed. It is also accepted that you will pass one of the four tests or make a tax profit within the commercially viable period for your industry. Therefore the Commissioner's discretion under paragraph 35-55(1)(b) of the ITAA 1997 has been granted for the 20XX financial year.