Private ruling: GST and application of Division 81 fees and charges
Published: March 2014

Ruling: Q1: Are the fees and charges imposed by Council consideration for a taxable supply under section 9-5 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (GST Act)? Decision: Some of the fees and charges are consideration for a taxable supply and others are exempt from goods and services tax (GST).

Relevant facts and circumstances: This ruling is based on the facts stated in the description of the scheme that is set out below. If your circumstances are materially different from these facts, this ruling has no effect and you cannot rely on it. The fact sheet has more information about relying on your private ruling. Council is registered for GST. Council levies various fees and charges in accordance with State and local laws. A description of the fees and charges and the relevant laws that they are levied under was provided. This is expressed in both the 'Fees and Charges' and 'Description' columns in the 'Decisions' section of this Ruling.


Reasons for decision: Detailed Reasoning - Taxable Supply: Section 9-5 provides that you make a taxable supply if: a) you make the supply for consideration b) the supply is made in the course or furtherance of an enterprise that you carry on c) the supply is connected with Australia, and d) you are registered or required to be registered for GST. However, the supply is not a taxable supply to the extent that it is GST-free or input taxed. The first criterion that needs to be determined is whether there is a supply for consideration. Section 9-39 provides special rules in relation to making taxable supplies. In particular, item 8 in the table in section 9-39 provides that where there is a payment of taxes, fees and charges the special rules in Division 81 may apply. | Detailed Reasoning - Division 81: Division 81 was amended with effect from 1 July 2011 to allow entities to self-assess the GST treatment of a payment of an Australian tax or an Australian fee or charge in accordance with certain principles. Under the transitional arrangements, those Australian taxes, fees and charges that were not subject to GST under the A New Tax System (Goods and Service Tax ) ( Exempt Taxes, Fees and Charges) Determination 2011 (No. 1 ) (Treasurer's Determination) remain not subject to GST until 30 June 2013 and thereafter will be assessed under Division 81 as amended. The GST treatment of all Australian taxes or Australian fees or charges that were not listed in the Treasurer's Determination will be self-assessed under the changes made to Division 81 with effect from 1 July 2011. Australian Tax Section 81-5 considers the effect of the payment of a tax. It states: | Detailed Reasoning - 81-5 Effect of payment of tax: Australian tax not consideration (1) A payment, or the discharging of a liability to make a payment, is not the provision of *consideration to the extent the payment is an *Australian tax. Regulations may provide for exceptions (2) However, a payment you make, or a discharging of your liability to make a payment, is treated as the provision of *consideration to the extent the payment is an *Australian tax that is, or is of a kind, prescribed by the regulations. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the *consideration is taken to be provided to the entity to which the tax is payable, for a supply that the entity makes to you. The term 'Australian tax' is defined in section 195-1 as: Australian tax means a tax (however described) imposed under an *Australian law. Australian Fees and Charges Sections 81-10 and 81-15 consider the effect of certain fees and charges and state: | Detailed Reasoning - 81-10 Effect of payment of certain fees and charges: Certain fees and charges not consideration (1) A payment, or the discharging of a liability to make a payment, is not the provision of *consideration to the extent the payment is an *Australian fee or charge that is of a kind covered by subsection (4) or (5). Prescribed fees and charges treated as consideration (2) However, a payment you make, or a discharging of your liability to make a payment, is treated as the provision of consideration to the extent the payment is an *Australian fee or charge that is, or is of a kind, prescribed by the regulations. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the consideration is taken to be provided to the entity to which the fee or charge is payable, for a supply that the entity makes to you. Fees or charges paid for permissions etc. (4) This subsection covers a fee or charge if the fee or charge: (a) relates to; or (b) relates to an application for; the provision, retention, or amendment, under an *Australian law, of a permission, exemption, authority or licence (however described). Fees or charges relating to information and record-keeping etc. (5) This subsection covers a fee or charge paid to an *Australian government agency if the fee or charge relates to the agency doing any of the following: (a) recording information; (b) copying information; (c) modifying information; (d) allowing access to information; (e) receiving information; (f) processing information; (g) searching for information. | Detailed Reasoning - 81-15 Other fees and charges that do not constitute consideration: The regulations may provide that the payment of a prescribed *Australian fee or charge, or of an Australian fee or charge of a prescribed kind, or the discharging of a liability to make such a payment, is not the provision of *consideration. The term 'Australian fee or charge' is defined in section 195-1 as: Australian fee or charge means a fee or charge (however described), other than an Australian tax, imposed under an *Australian law and payable to an *Australian government agency. Australian Law The term 'Australian law' is defined in section 995-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) and relevantly includes a State law. It includes acts and law making powers which are delegated by parliaments, such as regulations, by-laws, proclamations and orders made under Acts. Therefore, the LG Act is an Australian law. Australian Government Agency The term 'Australian government agency' is defined by section 995-1 of the ITAA 1997. 'Australian government agency' means: • the Commonwealth, a State or Territory; or • an authority of the Commonwealth or of a State or a Territory. For the purposes of this Ruling, it is accepted that Council comes within the definition of an Australian government agency. GST Regulations - a fee or charge that is consideration for a supply Certain fees and charges are prescribed by Regulation 81-10.01 of the GST Regulations and are treated as consideration under subsection 81-10(2). Of relevance to this ruling are the following paragraphs: Paragraph 81-10.01(1)(a) of the GST Regulations specifies 'a fee for parking a motor vehicle in a ticketed or metered parking space'. Paragraph 81-10.01(1)(c) of the GST Regulations specifies 'a fee for hire, use of, or entry to a facility, except for an entry fee to a national park.' Therefore, any fee charged by an Australian government agency that is for the hire, use of or entry to a facility is consideration for a supply. The only exception is if the fee is charged by an Australian government agency and is for an entry fee to a national park. Paragraph 81-10.01(1)(d) of the GST Regulations provides that 'a fee for the use of a waste disposal facility' is consideration for a supply under subsection 81-10(2). Paragraph 81-10.01(1)(e) of the GST Regulations specifies: (e) a fee for pre-lodgement advice if: (i) the advice relates to an application to which subsection 81-10(4) of the Act applies; and (ii) it is not compulsory to seek the advice. Therefore, if there is an Australian law that regulates that it is compulsory to seek advice for pre-lodgement of an application that is an approval etc., paragraph 81-10.01(1)(e) of the GST Regulations would not apply. An example of where paragraph 81-10.01(1)(e) of the GST Regulations would apply is pre-lodgement advice in relation to the lodging of a development approval application. Paragraph 81-10.01(1)(g) of the GST Regulations specifies 'a fee or charge for a supply of a non-regulatory nature. In relation to this paragraph the explanatory statement to the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Amendment Regulation 2012 (No. 2) (ES) states: This paragraph ensures that the non-regulatory activities of government are subject to GST. This paragraph applies to supplies of goods and services for which fees are imposed where the consumer is provided with something that lacks a regulatory character. That is, the fee or charge does not arise under an Australian law which is intended, for example, to regulate behaviour, ensure consumer protection and ensure compliance with certain standards... The ES provides examples of fees and charges that do not have a regulatory character. Of particular relevance in this case is a fee charged for exclusive right to a mausoleum or burial plot. Paragraph 81-10.01(1)(h) of the GST Regulations specifies: (h) a fee or charge for a supply by an Australian government agency, where the supply may also be made by a supplier that is not an Australian government agency. The ES explains: This paragraph ensures that the regulatory activities of government made in competition with the private sector are subject to GST where the other requirements of section 9-5 of the Act are satisfied. Fees and charges in this category are not excluded from being consideration for a taxable supply. This is consistent with the National Competition and Consumer Policy guidelines and ensures that a government entity is not given a competitive advantage over a private sector supplier making the same type of supply. This covers situations in which government agencies have authorised private agencies to perform activities that form part of a regulatory process, for example, certification activities which are required for a regulatory process to be followed. Where government agencies, as well as government certifiers, have authorised private certifiers to perform certification activities these fees and charges will continue to be consideration for a supply that is subject to GST. This ensures competitive neutrality between supplies made by government and non-government agencies. GST Regulations - a fee or charge that is not consideration for a supply Regulation 81-15.01 of the GST Regulations sets out those fees and charges that are prescribed for section 81-15 and which do not constitute consideration. Of relevance to this ruling are the following paragraphs: Paragraph 81-15.01(1)(a) of the GST Regulations refers to a fee or charge for the: (i) kerbside collection of waste, or (ii) supply, exchange or removal of bins or crates used in connection with kerbside collection of waste. The ES states: This paragraph and subregulation ensure that fees and charges for the kerbside collection of waste are not treated as the provision of consideration, and therefore do not give rise to a taxable supply under Division 81. Kerbside waste collection fees are often, but not always, covered by general Council rates. It is intended that all fees and charges for kerbside collection of waste are not consideration for a supply, so that these services are exempt from GST. This is regardless of whether the fees paid in relation to the service are compulsory or optional as kerbside collection of waste is a basic activity of local government. Kerbside collection includes a regular waste collection service conducted by an Australian government agency where, for practical reasons, the waste must be collected from inside the property boundary of the ratepayer, such as a waste service for residents of a high-rise residential complex. However, additional waste collection undertaken by a commercial entity is not considered to be kerbside collection even though it may be collected from the kerbside in some circumstances… Paragraph 81-15.01(1)(d) of the GST Regulations 'a fee or charge to compensate an Australian government agency for costs incurred by the agency in undertaking regulatory activities. The ES states: This paragraph ensures that fees and charges which are for services provided on a cost recovery basis by government agencies, and relate to activities that are regulatory in nature, are not treated as the provision of consideration and therefore do not give rise to a taxable supply… Paragraph 81-15.01(1)(f) of the GST Regulations refers to 'a fee or charge for a supply of a regulatory nature made by an Australian government agency.' The term 'regulatory nature' is not defined in the GST Regulations or the GST Act. The ES states: The term 'regulatory' captures those supplies made by a government agency, where that agency is legislatively empowered to make the relevant supply and the supply is to satisfy a regulatory purpose. In some instances, although the consumer acquires something that may be of intrinsic value to the consumer, the acquisition is made in the context of satisfying a regulatory requirement of an Australian law… Paragraph 81-15.01(1)(h) of the GST Regulations refers to any other fees or charges: • specified in the Treasurer's Determination as in force immediately before the commencement of Schedule 4 of the Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 2) Act 2011 , and • imposed before 1 July 2013 as not constituting consideration. | Detailed Reasoning - GST-free: Subsection 9-30(1) provides that a supply is GST-free if: a) it is GST-free under Division 38 or under a provision of another Act, or b) it is a supply of a right to receive a supply that would be GST-free under paragraph (a). Of relevance to this Ruling are the following sections: Sections 38-285, 38-290 and 28-295 relate to the supply of water, sewerage and emptying of septic tanks. These sections state: | Detailed Reasoning - 38-285 Water: (1) A supply of water is GST-free . (2) However, a supply of water is not GST-free under this section if it is (a) supplied in a container; or (b) transferred into a container; that has a capacity of less than 100 litres or such other quantity as the regulations specify. (3) It does not matter whether or not the amount of water supplied or transferred fills the container. | Detailed Reasoning - 38-290 Sewerage and sewerage-like services: (1) A supply of sewerage services is GST-free . (2) A supply that consists of removing waste matter from *residential premises is GST-free if: (a) the premises are not serviced by sewers; and (b) the waste matter is of a kind that would normally be removed using sewers if the premises were serviced by sewers. (3) A supply that consists of servicing a domestic self-contained sewerage system is GST-free . | Detailed Reasoning - 38-295 Emptying of septic tanks: A supply of a service that consists of the emptying of a septic tank is GST-free . Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2000/25 provides guidance on GST-free supplies of water, sewerage and sewerage like services, storm water draining services and emptying of a septic tank. Appendix 2 to GSTR 2000/25 lists the types of charges that are GST-free. Item 9 states 'water meter (including a sub-meter) reading, testing and service charges', item 10 states 'standpipe charges' and item 11 states 'inspection charges'. | Detailed Reasoning - Input Taxed: Subsection 9-30(2) provides that a supply is input taxed if: a) it is input taxed under Division 40 or under a provision of another Act, or b) it is a supply of a right to receive a supply that would be input taxed under paragraph (a). Of relevance to this ruling are sections 40-5 and 40-35. These are explained below. Financial Supply Subsection 40-5(1) provides that a financial supply is input taxed. Subsection 40-5(2) provides that a financial supply has the meaning given by the GST Regulations. Subregulation 40-5.09(1) of the GST Regulations provides that the provision, acquisition or disposal of an interest mentioned in subregulations (3) or (4) is a financial supply if: a) the provision, acquisition or disposal is: i. for consideration ii. in the course or furtherance of an enterprise, and iii. connected with Australia, and b) the supplier is: i. registered or required to be registered, and ii. a financial supply provider in relation to supply of the interest. Subregulation 40-5.09(3) of the GST Regulations provides that for subregulation 40-5.09(1) of the GST Regulations, the interest is an interest in or under the matter mentioned in an item in the table in this subregulation. Item 1 in the table in subregulation 40-5.09(1) of the GST Regulations lists 'an account made available by an Australian ADI (authorised deposit-taking institution) in the course of: a) its banking business within the meaning of the Banking Act 1959, or b) its State banking business.' Item 2 in the table in subregulation 40-5.09(3) of the GST Regulations lists 'a debt, credit arrangement or right to credit, including a letter of credit'. Residential Rent Under subsection 40-35(1) a supply of premises that is by way of lease, hire or licence (including a renewal or extension of a lease, hire or licence) is input taxed if: a) the supply is of residential premises (other than a supply of commercial residential premises or a supply of accommodation in commercial residential premises provided to an individual by the entity that owns or controls the commercial residential premises), or b) the supply is of commercial accommodation and Division 87 (which is about long-term accommodation in commercial premises) would apply to the supply but for a choice made by the supplier under section 87-25. However, subsection 40-35(2) provides: a) the supply is input taxed only to the extent that the premises are to be used predominantly for residential accommodation (regardless of the term of occupation), and b) the supply is not input taxed under this section if the lease, hire or licence, or renewal or extension of a lease, hire or licence, is a long-term lease. Residential premises are defined in section 195-1 to mean land or a building that: a) is occupied as a residence or for residential accommodation, or b) is intended to be occupied, and is capable of being occupied, as a residence or for residential accommodation (regardless of the term of the occupation or intended occupation) and includes a floating home. For further guidance in relation to residential premises and commercial residential premises refer to Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2012/5 and Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2012/6. | Detailed Reasoning - Bonds: Bonds are required and held by Councils for a variety of reasons, for example, bonds for damage to footpaths and roads in connection with building and development or to protect Council against damages to Council property, for example, a hall rented by someone for a birthday party. Subsection 99-5(1) provides that a deposit held as security for the performance of an obligation is not treated as consideration for a supply, unless the deposit: • is forfeited because of a failure to perform the obligation, or • is applied as all or part of the consideration for a supply. GSTR 2006/2 provides guidance on GST and deposits held as security for the performance of an obligation. It discusses the characteristics of a security deposit to which Division 99 applies and explains the meaning of a security deposit and the special rules for the attribution of GST on taxable supplies relating to security deposits. For a payment to be considered a 'security deposit' for the purposes of Division 99, paragraph 20 of GSTR 2006/2 states that it should have the following characteristics: • be held as a security for the performance of an obligation • the contract, conduct and intent of the parties to the contract must be consistent with the payment being a security deposit • be at risk of forfeiture upon failure to perform the obligation; and • be a reasonable amount. Where the deposit is refunded in full there are no GST consequences. Where the deposit is forfeited, the payment is applied to the underlying supply (the obligation that has not been satisfied) and the applicable application of GST to that supply. If the underlying supply is either GST-free or input taxed, the forfeited deposit will not be consideration for a taxable supply. Fees and charges which are for services provided on a cost recovery basis by government agencies, and relate to activities that are regulatory in nature, are not treated as the provision of consideration under paragraph 81-15.01(1)(d) of the GST Regulations and therefore do not give rise to a taxable supply. Where Council equipment is lost or damaged, Council may have a right to claim damages from the lessees for the cost or replacement value of the equipment. A charge to recover the replacement cost of Council equipment is not regulatory in nature even if the equipment damaged or lost was used in undertaking regulatory activity. Recovery of costs in these circumstances will be consideration for a taxable supply.