Product Ruling PR 2016/5
Date of effect: 18 May 2016

What this ruling is about: 1. This Product Ruling sets out the Commissioner's opinion on the way in which the relevant provision(s) identified in the Product Ruling section (below) apply to the defined class of entities, who take part in the scheme to which this Product Ruling relates. All legislative references in this Product Ruling are to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) unless otherwise indicated. 2. In this Product Ruling this scheme is referred to as the AgriWealth 2016 Softwood Timber Project or simply as 'the Project'. 3. This Product Ruling does not rule on the tax consequences of investing in the Land Trust described in the Information Memorandum (IM) issued for the Project. Class of entities 4. This part of the Product Ruling specifies which entities are subject to the taxation obligations and can rely on the taxation benefits set out in the Ruling section of this Product Ruling. 5. The members of the class of entities who are subject to those taxation obligations and who can rely on those taxation benefits are referred to in this Product Ruling as Growers. 6. Growers are those entities that: 7. A Grower will have executed the relevant Project Agreements set out in paragraph 53 of this Product Ruling by 30 June 2016, except the Deed of Novation and the Timberlot Agreement which must be executed on or before 30 November 2016 and 30 September 2017 respectively, and will hold a 'forestry interest' in the Project as defined in subsection 394-15(3). In this Product Ruling, each of the Growers will be wholesale clients for the purpose of the Corporations Act 2001. 8. The class of entities who can rely on the tax benefits set out in the Ruling section of this Product Ruling does not include: 9. This Product Ruling does not address the provisions of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SISA). The Commissioner gives no assurance that the scheme is an appropriate investment for a superannuation fund. The trustees of superannuation funds are advised that no consideration has been given in this Product Ruling as to whether investment in this scheme may contravene the provisions of SISA. Qualifications 10. The class of entities defined in this Product Ruling may rely on its contents, provided the scheme actually carried out is carried out in accordance with the scheme described in paragraphs 53 to 110 of this Product Ruling. 11. If the scheme actually carried out is materially different from the scheme that is described in this Product Ruling, then:

Class of entities or scheme: 4. This part of the Product Ruling specifies which entities are subject to the taxation obligations and can rely on the taxation benefits set out in the Ruling section of this Product Ruling. 5. The members of the class of entities who are subject to those taxation obligations and who can rely on those taxation benefits are referred to in this Product Ruling as Growers. 6. Growers are those entities that: 7. A Grower will have executed the relevant Project Agreements set out in paragraph 53 of this Product Ruling by 30 June 2016, except the Deed of Novation and the Timberlot Agreement which must be executed on or before 30 November 2016 and 30 September 2017 respectively, and will hold a 'forestry interest' in the Project as defined in subsection 394-15(3). In this Product Ruling, each of the Growers will be wholesale clients for the purpose of the Corporations Act 2001. 8. The class of entities who can rely on the tax benefits set out in the Ruling section of this Product Ruling does not include: 9. This Product Ruling does not address the provisions of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SISA). The Commissioner gives no assurance that the scheme is an appropriate investment for a superannuation fund. The trustees of superannuation funds are advised that no consideration has been given in this Product Ruling as to whether investment in this scheme may contravene the provisions of SISA. | Qualifications: 10. The class of entities defined in this Product Ruling may rely on its contents, provided the scheme actually carried out is carried out in accordance with the scheme described in paragraphs 53 to 110 of this Product Ruling. 11. If the scheme actually carried out is materially different from the scheme that is described in this Product Ruling, then: 12. This Product Ruling applies prospectively from 18 May 2016, the date it is published. It therefore applies only to the specified class of entities that enter into the scheme from 18 May 2016 until 30 June 2016 being the closing date for entry into the scheme. This Product Ruling provides advice on the availability of tax benefits to the specified class of entities for the income years up to the income year in which the scheme is terminated in accordance with the Tree Constitution, being its period of application. 13. This Product Ruling will continue to apply to those entities even after its period of application has ended. 14. However the Product Ruling only applies to the extent that there is no change in the scheme or in the entity's involvement in the scheme. | Changes in the law: 15. Although this Product Ruling deals with the income tax laws enacted at the time it was issued, later amendments may impact on this Product Ruling. Any such changes will take precedence over the application of this Product Ruling and, to that extent, this Product Ruling will have no effect. 16. Entities who are considering participating in the scheme are advised to confirm with their taxation adviser that changes in the law have not affected this Product Ruling since it was issued. | Note to promoters and advisers: 17. Product Rulings were introduced for the purpose of providing certainty about tax consequences for entities in schemes such as this. In keeping with that intention, the Commissioner suggests that promoters and advisers ensure that participants are fully informed of any legislative changes after the Product Ruling has issued. | Goods and Services Tax: 18. All amounts and percentages referred to in this Product Ruling exclude the Goods and Services Tax (GST) unless otherwise specified. The transactions in respect of this scheme may, where appropriate, have GST implications. Those GST implications are outside the scope of this Product Ruling. 19. In order for an entity (referred to in this Product Ruling as a Grower) to be entitled to claim input tax credits for the GST included in its expenditure, it must be registered or required to be registered for GST and hold a valid tax invoice. | Structure of the Project: 20. The AgriWealth 2016 Softwood Timber Project is a 'forestry managed investment scheme' as defined in subsection 394-15(1). Its purpose is the establishment and tending of Radiata pine trees (Trees) for felling in Australia. 21. However, the Put Option, the associated Put Option Fee and investment in Units in the associated Land Trust do not form part of the scheme to which subsection 394-15(1) applies. 22. Subject to the stated qualifications, this part of the Product Ruling sets out in detail the taxation obligations and benefits for Growers (as described in paragraphs 6 to 8 of this Product Ruling) who are accepted to participate in the 'forestry managed investment scheme' described at paragraphs 53 to 109 of this Product Ruling, between the date this Product Ruling is published and 30 June 2016 inclusive. 23. An entity that takes part in the Project as a 'subsequent participant' [1] is not covered by this Product Ruling but may request a private ruling on their participation in the Project. A 'subsequent participant' is an entity that does not meet the definition of 'initial participant' in subsection 394-15(5). | Carrying on an enterprise: 24. Although not relevant for the purposes of Division 394, Growers who enter into the arrangement described in this Product Ruling will be carrying on an enterprise for the purposes of subsection 9-20(1) of the A New Tax (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (GST Act), subject to the exclusions listed in subsection 9-20(2) of the GST Act. | Carrying on a business: 25. Although not relevant for the purposes of Division 394, a Grower who will stay in the Project until it is completed and does not obtain finance other than the finance arrangement described at paragraphs 105 to 108 of this Ruling will be considered to be carrying on a business of primary production for income tax purposes. Such Growers, who are individuals, alone or in partnership, will be subject to the operation of Division 35 (see paragraphs 48 to 51 and 153 to 159 of this Ruling). Growers who enter into finance arrangements other than the arrangement described in paragraphs 105 to 108 of this Product Ruling may request a private ruling on whether they will be carrying on a business of primary production for income tax purposes. Concessions for 'small business entities' [2] 26. From the 2007-08 income year, a range of concessions previously available under the simplified tax system (STS), will be available to an entity if it carries on a business and satisfies the $2 million aggregated turnover test (a 'small business entity'). 27. A 'small business entity' can choose the concessions that best suit its needs. Eligibility for some small business concessions is also dependent on satisfying some additional conditions. Because of these choices and the eligibility conditions, the application of the small business concessions to Growers who qualify as a 'small business entity' is not able to be dealt with in this Product Ruling. | Section 394-35 and subsection 394-10(4): 28. The taxation obligations and benefits set out below have been determined using the information provided to the Commissioner by AgriWealth Capital Limited ('the Manager'). On the basis of that information, the Commissioner has decided that on 30 June 2016 it will be reasonable to expect that the '70% DFE rule' [3] will be satisfied. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) may undertake review activities during the term of the Project to verify the information relied on for the purposes of the '70% DFE rule'. 29. This Product Ruling will only apply if the Manager establishes all of the Trees that were intended to be established under the Project within 18 months of the end of the income year in which an amount is first paid under the Project by a 'participant' that is accepted. [4] For this Project, the Trees must be established by 31 December 2017. 30. In the context of this Project, the Trees will be established when they are planted on the land acquired for the purposes of the Project (Plantation Land) at the average rate of 850 trees per hectare. The Manager is required by section 394-10 of Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (TAA) to notify the Commissioner if all of the Trees are not established by 31 December 2017. | Sections 8-5, 394-10, 394-20 and paragraph 394-40(d): 31. A Grower in the Project can claim deductions for the amounts shown in the Table below that are paid to the Manager for the Project (sections 8-5 and 394-10). 32. The deductibility of these amounts remains subject to a requirement that a CGT event [5] does not happen in relation to the Grower's 'forestry interest' within four years of the Grower first paying an amount under the scheme (see paragraphs 36 to 39 of this Product Ruling). 33. The amount is deductible in the income year in which it is paid, or is paid on behalf of the Grower (subsection 394-10(2) and section 394-20). This requires cash to flow from the Grower, or from another entity on the Grower's behalf, to the Manager's bank account in the year in which the deduction is claimed. Any form of payment that does not involve the movement of cash into the Manager's bank account will not qualify for a deduction under subsection 394-10(2). 34. Where an amount is not fully paid by a Grower, or on their behalf, in an income year, the amount is deductible only to the extent to which it has been paid. Any unpaid amount is then deductible in the year or years in which it is actually paid. 35. Amounts that are allowable deductions under Division 394 cannot also be claimed as deductions under section 8-1 (section 8-10). | Subsections 394-10(5), 394-10(5A), 394-10(6) and section 394-25: 36. Deductions are not allowable under Division 394 where a 'CGT event' happens to a Grower's 'forestry interest' before 1 July 2020 (subsection 394-10(5)). 37. Where deductions for these amounts have already been claimed by a Grower, the Commissioner may amend their assessment at any time within two years after the 'CGT event' (subsection 394-10(6)). The Commissioner's power to amend in these circumstances applies despite section 170 of the ITAA 1936. 38. Growers whose deductions are disallowed because of subsection 394-10(5) are still required by section 394-25 to include in assessable income the market value of the 'forestry interest' at the time of the 'CGT event', or any decrease in the market value of the 'forestry interest' as a result of the 'CGT event'. 39. However, deductions will not be affected where the 'CGT event' happens because of circumstances outside the Grower's control and the Grower could not reasonably have foreseen the 'CGT event' happening when they acquired the 'forestry interest' (subsection 394-10(5A)). | Put Option Fee: 40. The Put Option Fee is capital in nature and not deductible under section 8-1 or section 394-10. The Put Option Fee forms part of the first element of the cost base for CGT purposes (subsection 110-25(2)). The Put Option Fee does not form part of the 'forestry managed investment scheme' for the purposes of subsection 394-15(1). | Sections 6-10, 17-5, and 394-25: 41. Where a 'CGT event' [other than a 'CGT event' that happens in respect of Thinning [6] (see paragraphs 148 to 149 of this Product Ruling)] happens to a Grower's 'forestry interest', the market value of the 'forestry interest', or any decrease in the market value of the 'forestry interest', is included in the assessable income of the Grower (sections 6-10 and 394-25), less any GST payable on those proceeds (section 17-5). 42. The relevant amount is included in the Grower's assessable income in the income year in which the 'CGT event' happens (subsection 394-25(2)). 43. 'CGT events' for these purposes include those relating to: | Exercise of Put Option by the Grower: 44. The exercise of the 100% Put Option is a 'CGT event' that will constitute the sale of the Grower's 'forestry interest' to the Manager. The Put Option grants the Grower an option to require the Manager to purchase the whole of the Put Option Property from the Grower for the Sale Consideration. The Sale Consideration paid by the Manager to the Grower will be equal to the market value of the Put Option Property ('forestry interest') at the time the Put Option is exercised. If the Grower exercises the Put Option the Grower will include the market value of their 'forestry interest' in their assessable income in the income year the 'CGT event' happens (sections 6-10 and 394-25). | Amounts received by Growers as Ordinary Income: 45. The Timberlots will be thinned twice during the term of the Project when the Trees are around age 12 and 20 years. An amount received or entitled to be received by a Grower in respect of a Thinning is not received as a result of a 'CGT event' and is not otherwise assessable under Division 394. The amount is a distribution of ordinary income that arises as an incident of a Grower holding a 'forestry interest' in the Project. Growers should include the amount received from a Thinning in their assessable income in the income year the amount is derived (section 6-5) less any GST payable on those proceeds (section 17-5). 46. An amount received or entitled to be received by a Grower in respect of the sale of Carbon Sequestration Rights and Salinity Credits, insurance proceeds or interest from the Sinking Fund also constitutes a distribution of ordinary income that arises as an incident of the Grower holding an interest in the Project. Growers should include such amounts in their assessable income in the income year those amounts are derived (section 6-5) less any GST payable on those proceeds (section 17-5). 47. Where a Grower who is carrying on a business is entitled to receive, and receives, a rebate, Referral Fee or similar payment from the Manager, Distributor or any other entity, or directs the payment of such an amount to be made to another entity, this amount will be ordinary assessable income of the business under section 6-5. Growers should include such amounts in their assessable income in the income year they are received, or entitled to be received (section 6-5) less any GST payable on that rebate (section 17-5). | Section 35-55 - annual exercise of Commissioner's discretion: 48. For each of the income years ended 30 June 2016 to 30 June 2041-42, the Commissioner will exercise the discretion in subsection 35-55(1) once the following conditions are satisfied for the year concerned: 49. If these conditions are met for a given year, the Commissioner will exercise the discretion for that year under: 50. If the Commissioner determines that the discretion will not be exercised for a particular year or years, the Grower will be informed of that decision and the reasons. In any year where the discretion is not exercised, losses incurred by a Grower will be subject to the loss deferral rule in section 35-10 and the Grower will not be able to offset the losses from the Project against other assessable income. 51. The issue of this Product Ruling, of itself, does not constitute the exercise of the Commissioner's discretion in subsection 35-55(1) for any income year. | Sections 82KL and Part IVA of the ITAA 1936: 52. Where a Grower is accepted to participate in the Project set out at paragraphs 53 to 109 of this Product Ruling, the following provisions of the ITAA 1936 have application as indicated: 53. The scheme that is the subject of this Product Ruling is identified and described in the following documents: Note: Certain information has been provided on a commercial-in-confidence basis and will not be disclosed or released under Freedom of Information legislation. 54. The documents highlighted are those that a Grower may enter into. For the purposes of describing the scheme to which this Product Ruling applies, there are no other agreements, whether formal or informal, and whether or not legally enforceable, to which a Grower, or any associate of a Grower, will be a party, that are a part of the scheme. 55. In accordance with the above documents, a Grower must be a wholesale client. This Product Ruling does not apply unless the Grower is a wholesale client as defined in section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. The meaning of wholesale client is explained in the IM for this Project. 56. All Australian Securities & Investments Commission requirements are, or will be, complied with for the term of the agreements. | Overview: 57. The main features of the AgriWealth 2016 Softwood Timber Project are as follows: $122 Sinking Fund Unit subscription 58. The Project will be an unregistered managed investment scheme under the Corporations Act 2001. AgriWealth Capital Limited will be the Manager for the Project. 59. The Project will involve the establishment and tending of pinus radiata trees for felling in Australia over a 26 year period. However, the Project may be extended for approximately 5 years. 60. An offer to participate in the Project will be made through an IM. The offer under the IM is initially for up to 1,000 hectares, which equates to 2,000 Timberlots of 0.5 hectares. However, the Manager may increase or decrease the size of the Project. The IM for the Project also contains an offer to invest in Units in a Land Trust. This Product Ruling does not address the tax consequences of an investment in the Land Trust. 61. An entity that participates in the Project as a Grower will do so by acquiring a 'forestry interest', which will consist of a minimum of one Timberlot, by 30 June 2016. 62. To acquire a 'forestry interest' each Applicant must complete the 2016 Application Form attached to the IM and pay the Application Price in full. Under the Tree Constitution, the Manager is appointed as agent, attorney and/or trustee in relation to the Project. Upon acceptance of an Application, the Manager will be authorised to execute a Timberlot Agreement, Put Option Deed, Deed of Novation, Definitions and Interpretations Deed, Manager Loan Deed - 1 Year Interest Free and Forestry Management Agreement on behalf of the Grower. 63. For the purposes of this Product Ruling, Applicants who are accepted to participate in the Project and who execute the Put Option Deed, Deed of Novation, Definitions and Interpretations Deed and Forestry Management Agreement (Project Documents) by 30 June 2016 and the Timberlot Agreement by 30 September 2017 will become Growers in the Project. 64. The Manager will source land required for the Project, which must comply with the Project's Land Selection Policy and be acquired by the Manager by 30 September 2017. The Project Land will be divided into 0.5 hectare lots and licensed to the Growers via the Timberlot Agreements. | Tree Constitution: 65. The Tree Constitution establishes the Project and operates as a deed binding all Growers and the Manager (clause 1.3). The Tree Constitution sets out the terms and conditions under which the Manager agrees to act in that capacity and thereby manage the Project. Upon acceptance into the Project, Growers are bound by the Tree Constitution by virtue of their participation in the Project. 66. The Application Price in respect of a Timberlot comprises the Establishment Services Fee, Put Option Fee and Sinking Fund Unit subscription (clause 2.3). Until the Grower's Application is accepted, the Manager holds the Application Price in the Application bank account in its own name (clause 3.4). 67. Once the Manager has accepted the Application and each of the Project Documents have been executed, the Application Price will be dealt with as follows: 68. In summary, the Constitution also sets out provisions relating to: | Forestry Management Agreement: 69. Under the Forestry Management Agreement the Grower engages the Manager as an independent contractor to perform the Establishment Services (clause 1.1) and acknowledges that this engagement is not exclusive to the Project (clause 1.2). 70. The Establishment Services to be provided by the Manager(clause 4) are listed in Item A of Schedule 4 of the Definitions and Interpretations Deed. Services which are not provided by the Manager, but which may be able to be provided by separate agreement, are listed at Item B of Schedule 4 of the Definitions and Interpretations Deed. The Manager intends to sub-contract the Establishment Services to AgriWealth. 71. The Establishment Services include: 72. In consideration of the Manager agreeing to carry out the Establishment Services, the Grower agrees to pay the Manager the Establishment Services Fees set out in Part 1 of the Definitions and Interpretation Deed (clause 8.1). The Establishment Services Fees will be the only fees paid by the Grower to the Manager in return for the Establishment Services (clause 8.2). 73. The Manager will act as agent of the Grower in relation to: 74. The Manager will establish a Sinking Fund for the purposes of meeting these costs. The Grower agrees to pay the Manager the Sinking Fund Unit subscription applicable to their Forestry Right Land and additional amounts called upon by the Manager to cover any shortfall in the Sinking Fund (clause 8.14 and Part 1 of the Definitions and Interpretations Deed). 75. The Grower is entitled to all Carbon Sequestration Rights, Carbon Sequestration Benefits, Salinity Credits and Salinity Credit Benefits produced by or derived from their Forestry Rights and related Plantation Produce. These Rights and Benefits are calculated by reference to the size of the Grower's Forestry Right Land compared with the overall size of the Plantation Land of all Growers (clause 5). 76. The Grower will own the Trees and Timber on the Planted Land and all of the Plantation Produce for that land (clause 6.1). The Grower will also be entitled to all proceeds from the sales of Plantation Produce gross of all costs of Harvest, transportation and other associated costs for a Thinning or Final Harvest (clause 6.2). 77. The Manager will notify the Grower when the Planted Land is ready for any Thinning or Final Harvest (clause 6.4) and will act as agent for the Grower to market the Plantation Produce (clause 6.7). After deducting certain amounts owed to the Manager the Grower will be entitled to a pro rata sum referable to the Grower's entitlement to the Plantation Produce (clause 6.12). 78. The Manager will provide the Grower with a reconciliation of the amounts owed as soon as reasonably practicable after the sale of the Plantation Produce (clause 6.13) and distribute the proceeds of sale within 30 days after receiving the last receipt attributable to the relevant Harvest activity (clause 6.14). | AgriWealth Management Agreement: 79. Under this Agreement the Manager engages AgriWealth in a non-exclusive arrangement as an independent contractor to provide the Forestry Services to the Manager for the purposes of establishing and managing the Growers' Plantations (clause 1.1). 80. AgriWealth intends to sub-contract the Forestry Services to Independent Contractors (recital E). 81. The Manager and Growers have certain rights or obligations under the Timberlot Agreement and Forestry Management Agreement. Under the AgriWealth Management Agreement, AgriWealth will have the right to carry out these rights or obligations on their behalf (clause 2.4). | Forestry Management Contracts: 82. In respect of each Plantation AgriWealth will engage Independent Contractors in a non-exclusive arrangement to perform the Forestry Services as described in Schedule 1 and as a disclosed agent to perform the Agency Services in Schedule 3 (clauses 3.1 and 3.2). 83. The Contracts commence on the date the Contracts are executed and will terminate upon completion of all Forestry Services and final settlement of accounts between the Parties after Final Harvest of all Plantations unless terminated earlier as provided in the Contracts. However, the Contracts should not continue after 30 June 2048 (clause 4.1). 84. The Contracts shall apply only to the Plantation Establishment and Management Plans agreed by AgriWealth and the Independent Contractors for the Plantations intended to be established during the 2017 calendar year (clause 4.2). | Timberlot Agreement: 85. Under the Timberlot Agreement, the Manager grants the Grower an interest in and a forestry right over the Forestry Right Land. 86. The Grower must punctually pay all rates, taxes and other charges levied on the Forestry Right Land (clause 6.7). 87. Under the Forestry Right (Timber) and Forestry Right (Carbon Sequestration) the Grower is granted: 88. The Forestry Right shall commence on the date of execution of the Timberlot Agreement and continue for a maximum term of 31 years. | Put Option Deed: 89. The Manager will grant Growers a Put Option in respect of their Timberlot(s) (the Put Option Property). Growers must pay $10 per Timberlot to the Manager on or before 30 June 2016 as consideration for this right. The Put Option (if exercised) will require the Manager to purchase the Put Option Property for the Sale Consideration, being the market value of the Put Option Property at the time of exercise of the option by the Grower. The Put Option Deed can be exercised per Timberlot by the Grower between 1 July 2020 and 16 July 2023. Clause 4.1 of the Put Option Deed allows the Manager to set off any amount payable by the Grower to the Manager against the Sale Consideration. | Deed of Novation and Roading Harvest Haulage and Pruning Trust: 90. Under the Deed of Novation, AgriWealth will novate an amount of not less than $12,440.79 to the Trustee of the AgriWealth 2016 Softwood Timber Roading Harvest Haulage and Pruning Trust ('Roading Trust') by 30 November 2016. The Trustee agrees to apply the amount on behalf of Growers to pay for Roading Harvest and Haulage costs that apply to any Thinning and Final Harvest and Pruning Costs as set out in the Forestry Management Agreement (clause 6.6.11 of the Forestry Management Agreement). 91. In accordance with the Deed of Novation, the Grower agrees that AgriWealth is no longer obligated to meet the Roading Harvest and Haulage Costs and Pruning Costs and is replaced by the Trustee of the Roading Trust to fulfil all obligations of clause 6.6 of the Forestry Management Agreement. 92. The Roading Trust has a vesting date of 30 June 2096 or a date specified by the Trustee under the vesting substitution provisions. Any money remaining in the Roading Trust at the vesting date will be distributed to the beneficiaries as identified at Schedule 1 of the Trust Deed. | Pooling of Timber and entitlement to Harvest Proceeds: 93. The Forestry Management Agreement sets out provisions relating to the Grower's entitlement to Harvest Proceeds (clause 6). 94. In accordance with the Tree Constitution, the Grower authorises the Manager to collect for distribution to the Grower the Harvest Proceeds from sale of the Plantation Produce to which the Grower is entitled (clause 6.3 of the Forestry Management Agreement). 95. The Harvest Proceeds to which the Grower is entitled will be calculated by reference to the size of the Grower's Forestry Right Land compared with the overall size of the Plantation Land of all Growers after deducting the Manager's reasonable estimate of all moneys owing by the Grower to the Manager or AgriWealth, including Rehabilitation expenses (in excess of those included at Item A-21 of Schedule 4 of the Definitions and Interpretations Deed) and any other costs for which the Grower is or will be liable in terms of the Forestry Management Agreement or the Timberlot Agreement. These costs will be calculated pro rata by reference to the size of the Grower's Forestry Right Land compared with the overall size of the Plantation Land of all Growers. | Establishment Services Fee: 96. Under the terms of the Forestry Management Agreement, the Establishment Services Fee is $28,500 per Timberlot and is payable by Growers when the Application Form is lodged. | Sinking Fund Unit subscription: 97. Under the terms of the Forestry Management Agreement, the Sinking Fund Unit subscription is comprised of: 98. Additional Sinking Fund Payments may be called upon by the Manager to cover insurance for the first seven years of the Project and council rates and other applicable charges for the life of the Project where there is a shortfall in the Sinking Fund. | Put Option Fee: 99. Under the terms of the Put Option Deed, the Put Option Fee is $11 per Timberlot and is payable by Growers upon Application. | Roading, Harvest, Haulage and Pruning Costs: 100. The Manager is required to pay any Roading Harvest and Haulage Costs and Pruning Costs in relation to each Grower's Forestry Right Land. The Manager will satisfy this obligation by paying the Novation Amount under the Deed of Novation to the Roading Trust. | Rehabilitation Costs: 101. Growers will be required to pay Rehabilitation Costs in excess of those included at Item A-21 of Schedule 4 of the Definitions and Interpretations Deed. | Finance: 102. A Grower may enter into a finance arrangement with the Manager or borrow from an independent lender to finance all or part of the cost of their Timberlot. 103. This Product Ruling only covers the finance arrangement set out below. A Grower cannot rely on this Product Ruling if they enter into a finance arrangement with the Manager, or it's related entities that materially differs from that set out in the documentation provided with the application for this Product Ruling (set out at paragraphs 105 to 108 of this Product Ruling). A Grower who enters into a finance arrangement not covered by this Product Ruling may request a private ruling on the deductibility of any interest or borrowing expenses they incur. 104. A Grower cannot rely on any part of this Product Ruling if the Application Price is not paid in full on or before 30 June 2016 by the Grower or on the Grower's behalf by another entity. Payment in this context is explained in paragraphs 33 to 34 of this Product Ruling. | Finance offered by the Manager: 105. A Grower can finance all or part of the cost of their Application Price by borrowing that amount from the Manager. The finance facility offered by the Manager is a one year interest free loan with terms and conditions as follows: 106. Subject to the Manager accepting the Grower's application, the Grower will be bound by the terms and conditions of the Loan Deed and the IM. 107. As security, Growers will charge all of their interests in the Project to the Manager. The charge will include the Put Option Sale Consideration. 108. Loans to Growers will be made from the Manager's own cash resources or from the Manager's credit facilities. The Manager will not use funds it receives from Growers entering the Project that it has previously lent to Growers to fund loans for other Growers to enter the Project. | Other qualifications relating to finance: 109. This Product Ruling does not apply if the finance arrangement entered into by the Grower includes or has any of the following features: Commissioner of Taxation 18 May 2016 | Structure of the Project: 110. In return for payment of the Establishment Services Fee required under the Forestry Management Agreement, Growers will hold a 'forestry interest' in a 'forestry managed investment scheme'. The Project qualifies as a 'forestry managed investment scheme' because its purpose is for 'establishing and tending trees for felling in Australia' (see subsection 394-15(1)). 111. However, the Put Option Fee and Units in the associated Land Trust do not form part of the scheme for the purposes of subsection 394-15(1) because these fees are not concerned with establishing and tending trees for felling in Australia. 112. Under the Project's Constitution and the other supporting agreements, the holding of a 'forestry interest' in the Project gives each Grower a right to a share in the Harvest Proceeds, which includes all gross proceeds for the sale of Plantation Produce for a Thinning or Final Harvest of the Trees grown on the Plantation Land. That share of proceeds is determined using the number of 'forestry interests' held by a Grower as a proportion of all 'forestry interests' held by 'participants' in the Project (Grower's Proportion). | Is the Grower carrying on an enterprise?: 113. An entity may be registered for GST if it is carrying on an 'enterprise' (section 23-10 of the GST Act). 114. The term 'enterprise' is defined in section 9-20 of the GST Act and includes an activity, or series of activities, done in the form of a business (paragraph 9-20(1)(a) of the GST Act). The use of the phrase 'in the form of' has been interpreted to indicate a wider meaning than the word 'business' in isolation. 115. However, subsection 9-20(2) of the GST Act provides that the term 'enterprise' does not include an activity, or series of activities, done by an individual or partnership without a reasonable expectation of profit or gain. 116. Miscellaneous Tax Ruling MT 2006/1 The New Tax System: the meaning of entity carrying on an enterprise for the purposes of entitlement to an Australian Business Number sets out the Commissioner's views on when an entity is carrying on an enterprise for the purposes of section 9-20 of the GST Act. 117. ATO Interpretative Decision ATO ID 2010/197 Goods and Services Tax: GST and agricultural managed investment scheme - Investor carrying on an enterprise considers a managed investment scheme similar to that which is the subject of this Product Ruling. This decision applies the principles set out in MT 2006/1 to conclude that the 'Grower' in that scheme was carrying on an enterprise for the purpose of section 9-20 of the GST Act. 118. Application of these principles to the arrangement set out in this Product Ruling leads to the conclusion that a Grower (as described in paragraphs 6 to 8 of this Product Ruling) will be carrying on an enterprise for the purpose of section 9-20 of the GST Act where there is a reasonable expectation of profit or gain from their participation in the Project. | Is the Grower carrying on a business?: 119. The general indicators used by the courts in determining whether an entity is carrying on a business are set out in Taxation Ruling TR 97/11 Income Tax: am I carrying on a business of primary production? 120. In relation to a managed investment scheme similar to that which is the subject of this Product Ruling, the Full Federal Court in Hance v. FC of T; Hannebery v. FC of T [2008] FCAFC 196; 2008 ATC 20-085; (2008) 74 ATR 644 applied these principles to conclude that 'Growers' in that scheme were carrying on a business of producing almonds (at FCAFC 90; ATC 90). 121. Application of these principles to the arrangement set out in this Product Ruling leads to the conclusion that Growers who stay in the Project until its completion and do not obtain finance to fund their participation in the Project other than the finance arrangement described at paragraphs 105 to 108 of this Product Ruling will be carrying on a business of primary production involving afforestation activities. 122. Growers who enter into a finance arrangement other than the arrangement described in paragraphs 105 to 108 of this Product Ruling are invited to apply for a private ruling on whether they will be considered to be carrying on a business for income tax purposes. | Sections 8-5, 12-5, 394-10 and 394-20: 123. Section 8-5 allows certain specific deductions to be claimed against the assessable income of a taxpayer. The list of specific deductions is shown in a table in section 12-5, and includes payments under a 'forestry managed investment scheme' that meet the requirements of subsection 394-10(1). | Paragraph 394-10(1)(c) and section 394-35: 124. The threshold test for Growers in the Project to be entitled to deductions under subsection 394-10(1) is the '70% DFE rule' in paragraph 394-10(1)(c). Under that rule it must be reasonable to expect that on 30 June 2016 the amount of 'direct forestry expenditure' [7] under the scheme will be no less than 70% of the amount of payments under the scheme. [8] 125. The amount of all 'direct forestry expenditure' is the amount of the net present value (on 30 June 2016) of all 'direct forestry expenditure' that the Manager, as 'forestry manager' [9] of the Project, has paid or will pay under the scheme (subsection 394-35(2)). 126. The 'amount of payments under the scheme' is the amount of the net present value (on 30 June 2016) of all amounts (that is, the fees and expenses) that all current and future 'participants' in the scheme have paid or will pay under the scheme (subsection 394-35(3)). 127. The above amounts are determined as at 30 June 2016 taking into account: 128. Based on the information provided by the Manager of the Project, the Commissioner has determined that the Project will satisfy the '70% DFE rule' on 30 June 2016. | Other requirements of subsection 394-10(1): 129. The requirements of paragraphs 394-10(1)(a) and (b) are met as a Grower will hold a 'forestry interest' in the Project (see paragraph 7 of this Product Ruling) and will pay an amount under the Project. The requirement of paragraph 394-10(1)(d) is met as it is clear from the Project Agreements that Growers in the Project do not have day- to-day control over the operation of the Project. The requirement of paragraph 394-10(1)(e) relating to the number of Growers in the scheme and the Manager's role in other managed investment schemes is also met. 130. All of the Trees intended to be established under the Project must be established within 18 months of 30 June 2016 (see paragraph 394-10(1)(f) and subsection 394-10(4)). The planting timeline provided with the application for this Product Ruling by the Manager indicates that all the Trees required to be established under the scheme will be planted on the Plantation Land by 31 December 2017. 131. Accordingly, subject to the qualifications set out below, amounts paid by Growers to the Manager in relation to their 'forestry interests' satisfy all of the requirements of subsection 394-10(1). The amounts are allowable deductions in the income year in which they are paid (subsection 394-10(2)). 132. Amounts that are allowable deductions under Division 394 cannot also be claimed as deductions under section 8-1 (section 8-10). 133. Where a Grower does not fully pay an amount, or the amount is not fully paid on their behalf, in an income year (see section 394-20), it is deductible only to the extent to which it has been paid. The unpaid balance is then deductible in the year or years in which it is actually paid. This may occur, for example, if all or part of the amount is borrowed and the financier fails to transfer the funds to the account of the 'forestry manager' on or before 30 June in an income year. | Loss of deductions previously allowed under subsection 394-10(1): 134. Two situations may lead to a loss of deductions previously allowed to Growers under subsection 394-10(1). 135. The first of these situations will occur if the Manager fails to establish the Trees on the Plantation Land within 18 months. Where this occurs the Manager is required to notify the Commissioner within three months of the end of the 18 month period (section 394-10 of Schedule 1 to the TAA). 136. The second situation where a Grower may have deductions disallowed is where a 'CGT event' happens to their 'forestry interest' within four years after 30 June of the income year in which they first paid an amount under the scheme (see subsection 394-10(5)). 137. For the purposes of giving effect to subsection 394-10(5), the Commissioner is able to amend the assessment of a Grower within two years after the relevant 'CGT event'. The Commissioner's power to amend in these circumstances applies despite section 170 of the ITAA 1936 (subsection 394-10(6) of the ITAA 1997). 138. Where a 'CGT event' happens to the 'forestry interest' of a Grower within four years after 30 June 2016, the market value of the forestry interest at the time of the 'CGT event', or any decrease in the market value of the 'forestry interest' as a result of the 'CGT event', is still included in the assessable income of the Grower by section 394-25. The amount must be included in assessable income even where an amendment has disallowed, or may disallow, the deductions previously allowed under section 394-10. 139. However, subsection 394-10(5) will have no application where the 'CGT event' happens because of circumstances outside the Grower's control and the Grower could not reasonably have foreseen the 'CGT event' happening when they acquired the 'forestry interest' (subsection 394-10(5A)). | Sections 82KZL to 82KZMF of the ITAA 1936: 140. The prepayment provisions contained in Subdivision H of Division 3 of Part III of the ITAA 1936 affect the timing of deductions for certain prepaid expenditure. These provisions apply to certain expenditure incurred under an agreement in return for the doing of a thing under the agreement that will not be wholly done within the same year of income as the year in which the expenditure is incurred. For schemes such as this Project, the main operative provisions are sections 82KZMD and 82KZMF of the ITAA 1936. 141. However, subsection 394-10(7) specifically provides that sections 82KZMD and 82KZMF of the ITAA 1936 do not affect the timing of amounts deductible under section 394-10. | Sections 6-10, 10-5, and 394-25: 142. Section 6-10 includes in assessable income amounts that are not 'ordinary income'. These amounts, called 'statutory income', are listed in the table in section 10-5, and include amounts that are included in the assessable income of 'initial participants' of a 'forestry managed investment scheme' by subsection 394-25(2). | Application Price Rebate: 143. To participate in the Project as a Grower each Applicant must complete the 2016 Application Form and pay the Application Price in full. Growers may be referred to the Project by a Distributor. 144. A Distributor will have executed the AgriWealth 2016 Softwood Timber Project Distribution Agreement. A Distributor is entitled to a Referral Fee from the Manager. The Referral Fee is a percentage of the Application Price paid by a Grower to the Manager. 145. Where the Distributor elects to rebate an amount of the Referral Fee to the Grower, and the Grower is carrying on a business of primary production as per this Product Ruling, then this amount will be ordinary income of the business under subsection 6-5 and included in the Grower's assessable income in the year of receipt. This includes where the Grower directs that the payment of the rebate be made to another entity. | Subsection 394-25(2): 146. Where a 'CGT event' other than in respect of a Thinning [10] happens to a Grower's 'forestry interest', subsection 394-25(2) includes an amount in the assessable income of the Grower if: | Market value rule applies to 'CGT events': 147. If, as a result of a 'CGT event', a Grower either: then the market value of the 'forestry interest' at the time of the event, or the reduction of the market value of the 'forestry interest' as a result of the event, is included in the Grower's assessable income in the income year the 'CGT event' happens (subsection 394-25(2)). A market value rule applies rather than the amount of money actually received from the 'CGT event' (subsection 394-25(3)). However, the market value and the actual amount of money received may be the same. 148. The market value amount included in the Grower's assessable income is: 149. Section 394-25 applies where the 'forestry interest' is sold, extinguished or ceases and includes 'CGT events' such as a full or partial sale of the 'forestry interest' or a full or partial clear-fell Harvest of the Project Trees. 150. Based on the scheme set out in the Product Ruling application and as ruled upon herein, where the Put Option is exercised the Sale Consideration will be equal to the market value of the Put Option Property at the time of exercise | Section 6-5: 151. Section 394-25 specifically excludes a 'CGT event' that happens in respect of a Thinning from the operation of Division 394 (see paragraph 394-25(1)(c)). 152. Amounts received by a Grower from a Thinning do not arise as a result of a 'CGT event' and are not otherwise assessable under Division 394. The receipt of an amount arising from a Thinning of the Project Trees is a distribution that arises as an incident of the Grower holding a 'forestry interest' in the Project. It is an item of ordinary income and is assessable under section 6-5 in the year in which it is derived. | Sections 35-10 and 35-55: 153. Based on information provided with the application for this Product Ruling, a Grower who is an individual and is accepted into the Project in the year ended 30 June 2016 and who carries on a business of forestry (alone or in partnership), is expected to incur losses until the end of the Project in 2042 from their participation in the Project which will be subject to Division 35. [11] These losses will be subject to the loss deferral rule in section 35-10 unless an exception applies or, for each income year in which losses are incurred, the Commissioner exercises the discretion in subsection 35-55(1) on 30 June of that specific income year. 154. The exceptions to the loss deferral rule depend upon the circumstances of individual Growers and are outside the scope of this Product Ruling. 155. The Commissioner will apply the principles set out in Taxation Ruling TR 2007/6 Income tax: non-commercial business losses: Commissioner's discretion when exercising the discretion. 156. Where a Grower with income for non-commercial loss (NCL) purposes of less than $250,000 (that is, the Grower satisfies the income requirement in subsection 35-10(2E)) incurs a loss in an income year from carrying on their business activity in a way that is not materially different to the scheme described in this Product Ruling, and the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(b) is exercised for that year, the Commissioner will be satisfied that: 157. Where a Grower with income for NCL purposes of $250,000 or more (that is, the Grower does not satisfy the income requirement in subsection 35-10(2E)) incurs a loss in an income year from carrying on their business activity in a way that is not materially different to the scheme described in this Product Ruling, and the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(c) is exercised for that year, the Commissioner will be satisfied that: 158. A Grower will satisfy the income requirement in subsection 35-10(2E) where the sum of the following amounts is less than $250,000: 159. In each year in which the Commissioner's discretion is exercised as set out in either paragraph 156 or 157 of this Product Ruling in relation to the business carried on by a Grower, the Grower, who would otherwise be required to defer a loss arising from their participation in the Project under section 35-10 until a later income year, is able to offset that loss against their other assessable income. | Section 82KL of the ITAA 1936: 160. Section 82KL will apply to deny a Grower a deduction where an 'additional benefit' in relation to an amount of eligible relevant expenditure incurred by the Grower and expected tax saving in relation to that amount of eligible relevant expenditure is equal to or greater than the amount of the eligible relevant expenditure. 161. Amounts received under the exercise of the Put Option constitute an 'additional benefit'. If the amount received under the Put Option, the tax savings and any other additional benefits exceed the Establishment Services Fee then section 82KL will apply to deny the deduction for the Establishment Services Fee, otherwise section 82 KL of the ITAA 1936 will not apply to deny the deductions otherwise allowable. | Part IVA of the ITAA 1936: 162. For Part IVA of the ITAA 1936 to apply, there must be a 'scheme' (subsection 177A(1) of the ITAA 1936), a 'tax benefit' (section 177C of the ITAA 1936) and a dominant purpose of entering into the scheme to obtain a tax benefit (subsection 177D(1) of the ITAA 1936). 163. The AgriWealth 2016 Softwood Timber Project will be a 'scheme' and a Grower will obtain a 'tax benefit' from entering into the 'scheme', in the form of tax deductions for the amounts detailed at paragraph 31 of this Product Ruling that would not have been obtained but for the scheme. However, it is not possible to conclude the scheme will be entered into or carried out by the Grower with the dominant purpose of obtaining this tax benefit. 164. Growers to whom this Product Ruling applies will derive assessable income from holding or disposing of their 'forestry interest' in the Project. There are no facts that would suggest that Growers have the opportunity of obtaining a tax advantage other than the tax advantages identified in this Product Ruling. There is no non-recourse financing or round robin characteristics, and no indication that the parties are not dealing at arm's length or, if any parties are not dealing at arm's length, that any adverse tax consequences result. Further, having regard to the factors to be considered under subsection 177D(2) of the ITAA 1936, it cannot be concluded, on the information available, that Growers will enter into the scheme for the dominant purpose of obtaining a tax benefit. 165. Although this Product Ruling does not rule on the tax consequences of investing in the Land Trust, the Commissioner will not apply Part IVA to deny the tax deductions set out in paragraph 30 of this Product Ruling by reason of a Grower acquiring units in the Land Trust. 166. The following is a detailed contents list for this Ruling: © AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA You are free to copy, adapt, modify, transmit and distribute this material as you wish (but not in any way that suggests the ATO or the Commonwealth endorses you or any of your services or products). Not previously issued as a draft

Ruling: This Product Ruling has been given on the basis that the entity(s) that applied for the Product Ruling, and their associates, will abide by strict terms of use. Any failure to comply with the terms of use may lead to the withdrawal of this Product Ruling. 1. This Product Ruling sets out the Commissioner's opinion on the way in which the relevant provision(s) identified in the Product Ruling section (below) apply to the defined class of entities, who take part in the scheme to which this Product Ruling relates. All legislative references in this Product Ruling are to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) unless otherwise indicated. 2. In this Product Ruling this scheme is referred to as the AgriWealth 2016 Softwood Timber Project or simply as 'the Project'. 3. This Product Ruling does not rule on the tax consequences of investing in the Land Trust described in the Information Memorandum (IM) issued for the Project. | Class of entities: 4. This part of the Product Ruling specifies which entities are subject to the taxation obligations and can rely on the taxation benefits set out in the Ruling section of this Product Ruling. 5. The members of the class of entities who are subject to those taxation obligations and who can rely on those taxation benefits are referred to in this Product Ruling as Growers. 6. Growers are those entities that: 7. A Grower will have executed the relevant Project Agreements set out in paragraph 53 of this Product Ruling by 30 June 2016, except the Deed of Novation and the Timberlot Agreement which must be executed on or before 30 November 2016 and 30 September 2017 respectively, and will hold a 'forestry interest' in the Project as defined in subsection 394-15(3). In this Product Ruling, each of the Growers will be wholesale clients for the purpose of the Corporations Act 2001. 8. The class of entities who can rely on the tax benefits set out in the Ruling section of this Product Ruling does not include: 9. This Product Ruling does not address the provisions of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SISA). The Commissioner gives no assurance that the scheme is an appropriate investment for a superannuation fund. The trustees of superannuation funds are advised that no consideration has been given in this Product Ruling as to whether investment in this scheme may contravene the provisions of SISA. | Qualifications: 10. The class of entities defined in this Product Ruling may rely on its contents, provided the scheme actually carried out is carried out in accordance with the scheme described in paragraphs 53 to 110 of this Product Ruling. 11. If the scheme actually carried out is materially different from the scheme that is described in this Product Ruling, then:


Appendix: Structure of the Project: 110. In return for payment of the Establishment Services Fee required under the Forestry Management Agreement, Growers will hold a 'forestry interest' in a 'forestry managed investment scheme'. The Project qualifies as a 'forestry managed investment scheme' because its purpose is for 'establishing and tending trees for felling in Australia' (see subsection 394-15(1)). 111. However, the Put Option Fee and Units in the associated Land Trust do not form part of the scheme for the purposes of subsection 394-15(1) because these fees are not concerned with establishing and tending trees for felling in Australia. 112. Under the Project's Constitution and the other supporting agreements, the holding of a 'forestry interest' in the Project gives each Grower a right to a share in the Harvest Proceeds, which includes all gross proceeds for the sale of Plantation Produce for a Thinning or Final Harvest of the Trees grown on the Plantation Land. That share of proceeds is determined using the number of 'forestry interests' held by a Grower as a proportion of all 'forestry interests' held by 'participants' in the Project (Grower's Proportion). | Is the Grower carrying on an enterprise?: 113. An entity may be registered for GST if it is carrying on an 'enterprise' (section 23-10 of the GST Act). 114. The term 'enterprise' is defined in section 9-20 of the GST Act and includes an activity, or series of activities, done in the form of a business (paragraph 9-20(1)(a) of the GST Act). The use of the phrase 'in the form of' has been interpreted to indicate a wider meaning than the word 'business' in isolation. 115. However, subsection 9-20(2) of the GST Act provides that the term 'enterprise' does not include an activity, or series of activities, done by an individual or partnership without a reasonable expectation of profit or gain. 116. Miscellaneous Tax Ruling MT 2006/1 The New Tax System: the meaning of entity carrying on an enterprise for the purposes of entitlement to an Australian Business Number sets out the Commissioner's views on when an entity is carrying on an enterprise for the purposes of section 9-20 of the GST Act. 117. ATO Interpretative Decision ATO ID 2010/197 Goods and Services Tax: GST and agricultural managed investment scheme - Investor carrying on an enterprise considers a managed investment scheme similar to that which is the subject of this Product Ruling. This decision applies the principles set out in MT 2006/1 to conclude that the 'Grower' in that scheme was carrying on an enterprise for the purpose of section 9-20 of the GST Act. 118. Application of these principles to the arrangement set out in this Product Ruling leads to the conclusion that a Grower (as described in paragraphs 6 to 8 of this Product Ruling) will be carrying on an enterprise for the purpose of section 9-20 of the GST Act where there is a reasonable expectation of profit or gain from their participation in the Project. | Is the Grower carrying on a business?: 119. The general indicators used by the courts in determining whether an entity is carrying on a business are set out in Taxation Ruling TR 97/11 Income Tax: am I carrying on a business of primary production? 120. In relation to a managed investment scheme similar to that which is the subject of this Product Ruling, the Full Federal Court in Hance v. FC of T; Hannebery v. FC of T [2008] FCAFC 196; 2008 ATC 20-085; (2008) 74 ATR 644 applied these principles to conclude that 'Growers' in that scheme were carrying on a business of producing almonds (at FCAFC 90; ATC 90). 121. Application of these principles to the arrangement set out in this Product Ruling leads to the conclusion that Growers who stay in the Project until its completion and do not obtain finance to fund their participation in the Project other than the finance arrangement described at paragraphs 105 to 108 of this Product Ruling will be carrying on a business of primary production involving afforestation activities. 122. Growers who enter into a finance arrangement other than the arrangement described in paragraphs 105 to 108 of this Product Ruling are invited to apply for a private ruling on whether they will be considered to be carrying on a business for income tax purposes. | Sections 8-5, 12-5, 394-10 and 394-20: 123. Section 8-5 allows certain specific deductions to be claimed against the assessable income of a taxpayer. The list of specific deductions is shown in a table in section 12-5, and includes payments under a 'forestry managed investment scheme' that meet the requirements of subsection 394-10(1). | Paragraph 394-10(1)(c) and section 394-35: 124. The threshold test for Growers in the Project to be entitled to deductions under subsection 394-10(1) is the '70% DFE rule' in paragraph 394-10(1)(c). Under that rule it must be reasonable to expect that on 30 June 2016 the amount of 'direct forestry expenditure' [7] under the scheme will be no less than 70% of the amount of payments under the scheme. [8] 125. The amount of all 'direct forestry expenditure' is the amount of the net present value (on 30 June 2016) of all 'direct forestry expenditure' that the Manager, as 'forestry manager' [9] of the Project, has paid or will pay under the scheme (subsection 394-35(2)). 126. The 'amount of payments under the scheme' is the amount of the net present value (on 30 June 2016) of all amounts (that is, the fees and expenses) that all current and future 'participants' in the scheme have paid or will pay under the scheme (subsection 394-35(3)). 127. The above amounts are determined as at 30 June 2016 taking into account: 128. Based on the information provided by the Manager of the Project, the Commissioner has determined that the Project will satisfy the '70% DFE rule' on 30 June 2016. | Other requirements of subsection 394-10(1): 129. The requirements of paragraphs 394-10(1)(a) and (b) are met as a Grower will hold a 'forestry interest' in the Project (see paragraph 7 of this Product Ruling) and will pay an amount under the Project. The requirement of paragraph 394-10(1)(d) is met as it is clear from the Project Agreements that Growers in the Project do not have day- to-day control over the operation of the Project. The requirement of paragraph 394-10(1)(e) relating to the number of Growers in the scheme and the Manager's role in other managed investment schemes is also met. 130. All of the Trees intended to be established under the Project must be established within 18 months of 30 June 2016 (see paragraph 394-10(1)(f) and subsection 394-10(4)). The planting timeline provided with the application for this Product Ruling by the Manager indicates that all the Trees required to be established under the scheme will be planted on the Plantation Land by 31 December 2017. 131. Accordingly, subject to the qualifications set out below, amounts paid by Growers to the Manager in relation to their 'forestry interests' satisfy all of the requirements of subsection 394-10(1). The amounts are allowable deductions in the income year in which they are paid (subsection 394-10(2)). 132. Amounts that are allowable deductions under Division 394 cannot also be claimed as deductions under section 8-1 (section 8-10). 133. Where a Grower does not fully pay an amount, or the amount is not fully paid on their behalf, in an income year (see section 394-20), it is deductible only to the extent to which it has been paid. The unpaid balance is then deductible in the year or years in which it is actually paid. This may occur, for example, if all or part of the amount is borrowed and the financier fails to transfer the funds to the account of the 'forestry manager' on or before 30 June in an income year. | Loss of deductions previously allowed under subsection 394-10(1): 134. Two situations may lead to a loss of deductions previously allowed to Growers under subsection 394-10(1). 135. The first of these situations will occur if the Manager fails to establish the Trees on the Plantation Land within 18 months. Where this occurs the Manager is required to notify the Commissioner within three months of the end of the 18 month period (section 394-10 of Schedule 1 to the TAA). 136. The second situation where a Grower may have deductions disallowed is where a 'CGT event' happens to their 'forestry interest' within four years after 30 June of the income year in which they first paid an amount under the scheme (see subsection 394-10(5)). 137. For the purposes of giving effect to subsection 394-10(5), the Commissioner is able to amend the assessment of a Grower within two years after the relevant 'CGT event'. The Commissioner's power to amend in these circumstances applies despite section 170 of the ITAA 1936 (subsection 394-10(6) of the ITAA 1997). 138. Where a 'CGT event' happens to the 'forestry interest' of a Grower within four years after 30 June 2016, the market value of the forestry interest at the time of the 'CGT event', or any decrease in the market value of the 'forestry interest' as a result of the 'CGT event', is still included in the assessable income of the Grower by section 394-25. The amount must be included in assessable income even where an amendment has disallowed, or may disallow, the deductions previously allowed under section 394-10. 139. However, subsection 394-10(5) will have no application where the 'CGT event' happens because of circumstances outside the Grower's control and the Grower could not reasonably have foreseen the 'CGT event' happening when they acquired the 'forestry interest' (subsection 394-10(5A)). | Sections 82KZL to 82KZMF of the ITAA 1936: 140. The prepayment provisions contained in Subdivision H of Division 3 of Part III of the ITAA 1936 affect the timing of deductions for certain prepaid expenditure. These provisions apply to certain expenditure incurred under an agreement in return for the doing of a thing under the agreement that will not be wholly done within the same year of income as the year in which the expenditure is incurred. For schemes such as this Project, the main operative provisions are sections 82KZMD and 82KZMF of the ITAA 1936. 141. However, subsection 394-10(7) specifically provides that sections 82KZMD and 82KZMF of the ITAA 1936 do not affect the timing of amounts deductible under section 394-10. | Sections 6-10, 10-5, and 394-25: 142. Section 6-10 includes in assessable income amounts that are not 'ordinary income'. These amounts, called 'statutory income', are listed in the table in section 10-5, and include amounts that are included in the assessable income of 'initial participants' of a 'forestry managed investment scheme' by subsection 394-25(2). | Application Price Rebate: 143. To participate in the Project as a Grower each Applicant must complete the 2016 Application Form and pay the Application Price in full. Growers may be referred to the Project by a Distributor. 144. A Distributor will have executed the AgriWealth 2016 Softwood Timber Project Distribution Agreement. A Distributor is entitled to a Referral Fee from the Manager. The Referral Fee is a percentage of the Application Price paid by a Grower to the Manager. 145. Where the Distributor elects to rebate an amount of the Referral Fee to the Grower, and the Grower is carrying on a business of primary production as per this Product Ruling, then this amount will be ordinary income of the business under subsection 6-5 and included in the Grower's assessable income in the year of receipt. This includes where the Grower directs that the payment of the rebate be made to another entity. | Subsection 394-25(2): 146. Where a 'CGT event' other than in respect of a Thinning [10] happens to a Grower's 'forestry interest', subsection 394-25(2) includes an amount in the assessable income of the Grower if: | Market value rule applies to 'CGT events': 147. If, as a result of a 'CGT event', a Grower either: then the market value of the 'forestry interest' at the time of the event, or the reduction of the market value of the 'forestry interest' as a result of the event, is included in the Grower's assessable income in the income year the 'CGT event' happens (subsection 394-25(2)). A market value rule applies rather than the amount of money actually received from the 'CGT event' (subsection 394-25(3)). However, the market value and the actual amount of money received may be the same. 148. The market value amount included in the Grower's assessable income is: 149. Section 394-25 applies where the 'forestry interest' is sold, extinguished or ceases and includes 'CGT events' such as a full or partial sale of the 'forestry interest' or a full or partial clear-fell Harvest of the Project Trees. 150. Based on the scheme set out in the Product Ruling application and as ruled upon herein, where the Put Option is exercised the Sale Consideration will be equal to the market value of the Put Option Property at the time of exercise | Section 6-5: 151. Section 394-25 specifically excludes a 'CGT event' that happens in respect of a Thinning from the operation of Division 394 (see paragraph 394-25(1)(c)). 152. Amounts received by a Grower from a Thinning do not arise as a result of a 'CGT event' and are not otherwise assessable under Division 394. The receipt of an amount arising from a Thinning of the Project Trees is a distribution that arises as an incident of the Grower holding a 'forestry interest' in the Project. It is an item of ordinary income and is assessable under section 6-5 in the year in which it is derived. | Sections 35-10 and 35-55: 153. Based on information provided with the application for this Product Ruling, a Grower who is an individual and is accepted into the Project in the year ended 30 June 2016 and who carries on a business of forestry (alone or in partnership), is expected to incur losses until the end of the Project in 2042 from their participation in the Project which will be subject to Division 35. [11] These losses will be subject to the loss deferral rule in section 35-10 unless an exception applies or, for each income year in which losses are incurred, the Commissioner exercises the discretion in subsection 35-55(1) on 30 June of that specific income year. 154. The exceptions to the loss deferral rule depend upon the circumstances of individual Growers and are outside the scope of this Product Ruling. 155. The Commissioner will apply the principles set out in Taxation Ruling TR 2007/6 Income tax: non-commercial business losses: Commissioner's discretion when exercising the discretion. 156. Where a Grower with income for non-commercial loss (NCL) purposes of less than $250,000 (that is, the Grower satisfies the income requirement in subsection 35-10(2E)) incurs a loss in an income year from carrying on their business activity in a way that is not materially different to the scheme described in this Product Ruling, and the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(b) is exercised for that year, the Commissioner will be satisfied that: 157. Where a Grower with income for NCL purposes of $250,000 or more (that is, the Grower does not satisfy the income requirement in subsection 35-10(2E)) incurs a loss in an income year from carrying on their business activity in a way that is not materially different to the scheme described in this Product Ruling, and the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(c) is exercised for that year, the Commissioner will be satisfied that: 158. A Grower will satisfy the income requirement in subsection 35-10(2E) where the sum of the following amounts is less than $250,000: 159. In each year in which the Commissioner's discretion is exercised as set out in either paragraph 156 or 157 of this Product Ruling in relation to the business carried on by a Grower, the Grower, who would otherwise be required to defer a loss arising from their participation in the Project under section 35-10 until a later income year, is able to offset that loss against their other assessable income. | Section 82KL of the ITAA 1936: 160. Section 82KL will apply to deny a Grower a deduction where an 'additional benefit' in relation to an amount of eligible relevant expenditure incurred by the Grower and expected tax saving in relation to that amount of eligible relevant expenditure is equal to or greater than the amount of the eligible relevant expenditure. 161. Amounts received under the exercise of the Put Option constitute an 'additional benefit'. If the amount received under the Put Option, the tax savings and any other additional benefits exceed the Establishment Services Fee then section 82KL will apply to deny the deduction for the Establishment Services Fee, otherwise section 82 KL of the ITAA 1936 will not apply to deny the deductions otherwise allowable. | Part IVA of the ITAA 1936: 162. For Part IVA of the ITAA 1936 to apply, there must be a 'scheme' (subsection 177A(1) of the ITAA 1936), a 'tax benefit' (section 177C of the ITAA 1936) and a dominant purpose of entering into the scheme to obtain a tax benefit (subsection 177D(1) of the ITAA 1936). 163. The AgriWealth 2016 Softwood Timber Project will be a 'scheme' and a Grower will obtain a 'tax benefit' from entering into the 'scheme', in the form of tax deductions for the amounts detailed at paragraph 31 of this Product Ruling that would not have been obtained but for the scheme. However, it is not possible to conclude the scheme will be entered into or carried out by the Grower with the dominant purpose of obtaining this tax benefit. 164. Growers to whom this Product Ruling applies will derive assessable income from holding or disposing of their 'forestry interest' in the Project. There are no facts that would suggest that Growers have the opportunity of obtaining a tax advantage other than the tax advantages identified in this Product Ruling. There is no non-recourse financing or round robin characteristics, and no indication that the parties are not dealing at arm's length or, if any parties are not dealing at arm's length, that any adverse tax consequences result. Further, having regard to the factors to be considered under subsection 177D(2) of the ITAA 1936, it cannot be concluded, on the information available, that Growers will enter into the scheme for the dominant purpose of obtaining a tax benefit. 165. Although this Product Ruling does not rule on the tax consequences of investing in the Land Trust, the Commissioner will not apply Part IVA to deny the tax deductions set out in paragraph 30 of this Product Ruling by reason of a Grower acquiring units in the Land Trust.


What this Ruling is about | NOT LEGALLY BINDING SECTION: | A public ruling is an expression of the Commissioner's opinion about the way in which a relevant provision applies, or would apply, to entities generally or to a class of entities in relation to a particular scheme or a class of schemes. | If you rely on this ruling, the Commissioner must apply the law to you in the way set out in the ruling (unless the Commissioner is satisfied that the ruling is incorrect and disadvantages you, in which case the law may be applied to you in a way that is more favourable for you - provided the Commissioner is not prevented from doing so by a time limit imposed by the law). You will be protected from having to pay any underpaid tax, penalty or interest in respect of the matters covered by this ruling if it turns out that it does not correctly state how the relevant provision applies to you. | Potential participants must form their own view about the commercial and financial viability of the product. The Commissioner recommends a financial (or other) adviser be consulted for such information. | This Product Ruling provides certainty for potential participants by confirming that the tax benefits set out in the Ruling part of this document are available, provided that the scheme is carried out in accordance with the information we have been given, and have described below in the Scheme part of this document. If the scheme is not carried out as described, participants lose the protection of this Product Ruling. | Income year ending 30 June 2016 | Insurance during the first seven (7) years of the Project | When paid out of the Sinking Fund | Council rates and other applicable statutory charges | Land as required for the Project satisfying the Land Selection Protocols | Species to be planted under the scheme | Radiata pine (pinus radiata) | Date all Trees are required to be planted on scheme land | Number of Trees per hectare | Number of hectares offered for cultivation | Initially, up to 1,000 subject to the Manager deciding to either increase or decrease the project size | Size of each 'forestry interest' | Minimum allocation of 'forestry interests' per Grower | The '70% DFE rule' and the establishment of the trees | 'CGT event' within four years for Growers who are 'initial participants' | Assessable income, 'CGT events' and the 'forestry interests' of Growers who are 'initial participants' | Division 35 - deferral of losses from non-commercial business activities | Repayment Provisions and anti-avoidance provisions | Section 82KL and Part IVA of the ITAA 1936 | Sinking Fund Unit subscriptions | O requirements of subsection 394-10(1) | Amounts received by Growers where the Project trees are thinned | Deferral of losses from non-commercial business activities and the Commissioner's discretion | General avoidance provisions | Appendix 2 - Detailed contents list


Related rulings: TR 97/7 TR 97/11 TR 98/22 TR 2007/6 MT 2006/1
Legislative references: GST Act 1999 GST Act 1999 9-20 GST Act 1999 9-20(1)(a) GST Act 1999 9-20(2) GST Act 1999 23-10 ITAA 1936 ITAA 1936 82KL ITAA 1936 Pt III Div 3 Subdiv H ITAA 1936 82KZL ITAA 1936 82KZM ITAA 1936 82KZMD ITAA 1936 82KZME ITAA 1936 82KZMF ITAA 1936 Pt IVA ITAA 1936 170 ITAA 1936 177A ITAA 1936 177C ITAA 1936 177D ITAA 1936 177D(b) ITAA 1936 318 ITAA 1997 ITAA 1997 6-5 ITAA 1997 6-10 ITAA 1997 8-1 ITAA 1997 8-1(1) ITAA 1997 8-1(1)(a) ITAA 1997 8-1(2) ITAA 1997 8-1(2)(a) ITAA 1997 8-5 ITAA 1997 10-5 ITAA 1997 12-5 ITAA 1997 25-25 ITAA 1997 25-25(1) ITAA 1997 25-25(4) ITAA 1997 25-25(6) ITAA 1997 Div 35 ITAA 1997 35-10 ITAA 1997 35-10(2) ITAA 1997 35-10(2C) ITAA 1997 35-10(2E) ITAA 1997 35-55 ITAA 1997 35-55(1) ITAA 1997 35-55(1)(b) ITAA 1997 35-55(1)(c) ITAA 1997 Div 394 ITAA 1997 394-10 ITAA 1997 394-10(1) ITAA 1997 394-10(1)(c) ITAA 1997 394-10(1)(d) ITAA 1997 394-10(1)(f) ITAA 1997 394-10(2) ITAA 1997 394-10(4) ITAA 1997 394-10(5) ITAA 1997 394-10(5A) ITAA 1997 394-10(6) ITAA 1997 394-10(7) ITAA 1997 394-15(1) ITAA 1997 394-15(2) ITAA 1997 394-15(4) ITAA 1997 394-15(5) ITAA 1997 394-20 ITAA 1997 394-25 ITAA 1997 394-25(1)(c) ITAA 1997 394-25(2) ITAA 1997 394-25(3) ITAA 1997 394-30 ITAA 1997 394-35 ITAA 1997 394-35(1) ITAA 1997 394-35(2) ITAA 1997 394-35(3) ITAA 1997 394-35(4) ITAA 1997 394-35(5) ITAA 1997 394-35(6) ITAA 1997 394-35(7) ITAA 1997 394-35(8) ITAA 1997 394-40 ITAA 1997 394-45 ITAA 1997 995-1 TAA 1953 TAA 1953 Sch 1 394-10 SISA 1993 Copyright Act 1968
Case references: Australian National Hotels Ltd v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1988) 19 FCR 234 88 ATC 4627 (1988) 19 ATR 1575
Other references: ATO ID 2010/197 Hannebery and Hance (NSD 492-493 of 2008)