Product Ruling PR 2008/12
Date of effect: 30 June 2008

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 Ruling section (below) apply to the defined class of entities, who take part in the scheme to which this Ruling relates. All legislative references in this Ruling are to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) unless otherwise indicated. In this Product Ruling this scheme is referred to as the '1997 Timbercorp Eucalypts Project' or simply as 'the Project'. Class of entities 2. This part of the Product Ruling specifies which entities can rely on the tax benefits set out in the Ruling section of this Product Ruling. In this Product Ruling, those entities that can rely on the tax benefits set out in this Ruling are referred to as Growers. 3. The class of entities who can rely on those tax benefits consists of entities that were accepted to participate in the scheme between 14 March 1997 and 13 March 1998 and whose Woodlots were planted in 1998. Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 4. This Product Ruling does not address the provisions of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SISA 1993). The Tax Office gives no assurance that the product 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 product may contravene the provisions of SISA 1993. Qualifications 5. The class of entities defined in this Product Ruling may rely on it provided the scheme actually carried out is carried out in accordance with the scheme described in paragraphs 14 to 39 of Product Ruling PR 2001/167. 6. If the scheme actually carried out is materially different from the scheme that is described in this Product Ruling, then: 7. This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 , no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to:

Class of entities or scheme: 2. This part of the Product Ruling specifies which entities can rely on the tax benefits set out in the Ruling section of this Product Ruling. In this Product Ruling, those entities that can rely on the tax benefits set out in this Ruling are referred to as Growers. 3. The class of entities who can rely on those tax benefits consists of entities that were accepted to participate in the scheme between 14 March 1997 and 13 March 1998 and whose Woodlots were planted in 1998. | Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993: 4. This Product Ruling does not address the provisions of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SISA 1993). The Tax Office gives no assurance that the product 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 product may contravene the provisions of SISA 1993. | Qualifications: 5. The class of entities defined in this Product Ruling may rely on it provided the scheme actually carried out is carried out in accordance with the scheme described in paragraphs 14 to 39 of Product Ruling PR 2001/167. 6. If the scheme actually carried out is materially different from the scheme that is described in this Product Ruling, then: 7. This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 , no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to: 8. This Ruling applies to the specified class of entities for the income year ending 30 June 2008. These entities entered into the scheme that is set out in paragraphs 14 to 39 of PR 2001/167. 9. However, the Product Ruling only applies to the extent that: 10. If this Product Ruling is inconsistent with a later public or private ruling, the relevant class of entities may rely on either ruling which applies to them (item 1 of subsection 357-75(1) of Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (TAA)). 11. If this Product Ruling is inconsistent with an earlier private ruling, the private ruling is taken not to have been made if, when the Product Ruling is made, the following two conditions are met: 12. If the above two conditions do not apply, the relevant class of entities may rely on either ruling which applies to them (item 3 of subsection 357-75(1) of Schedule 1 to the TAA). | Changes in the law: 13. Although this Product Ruling deals with the 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 the Ruling and, to that extent, this Product Ruling will have no effect. 14. Entities accepted to participate 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: 15. 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 Tax Office suggests that promoters and advisers ensure that participants are fully informed of any legislative changes after the Product Ruling is issued. | Continuing application of PR 2001/167: 16. Although now withdrawn, the tax benefits set out in PR 2001/167 continue to apply to participants who are within the specified class of entities to which the Ruling applied and who entered into the specified scheme between 14 March 1997 and 13 March 1998. This is subject to there being no material difference in the scheme or in the entities' involvement in the scheme. | Section 35-55 - exercise of Commissioner's discretion: 17. A Grower under the Project, may have losses arising from their participation in the Project that would be deferred to a later income year under section 35-10. Subject to the Project being carried out in the manner described in paragraphs 14 to 39 of PR 2001/167, the Commissioner will exercise the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(b) as follows: 18. This conditional exercise of the discretion will allow those losses to be offset against the Grower's other assessable income in the income year in which the losses arise. 19. The scheme that is the subject of this Ruling is described in paragraphs 14 to 39 of PR 2001/167. A copy of PR 2001/167 can be obtained on the Tax Office's Internet site at http://www.ato.gov.au. 20. In deciding to exercise the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(b) the Commissioner has relied upon the following documents: Commissioner of Taxation 13 February 2008 | Division 35 - deferral of losses from non-commercial business activities and the Commissioner's discretion: 21. In deciding to exercise the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(b) on a conditional basis for the income year ended 30 June 2008, based on the evidence supplied, the Commissioner has determined that for this income year: 22. A Grower who would otherwise be required to defer a loss arising from their participation in the Project under subsection 35-10(2) until a later income year is able to offset that loss against their other assessable income. 23. The exercise of the Commissioner's discretion under paragraph 35-55(1)(b) is conditional on the Project being carried on in the manner described in this Ruling during the income years specified. If the Project is carried out in a materially different way to that described in the Ruling a Grower will need to apply for a private ruling on the application of section 35-55 to those changed circumstances. 24. The following is a detailed contents list for this Ruling: Not previously issued as a draft

Ruling: This Product Ruling has been given on the basis that the entity(s) who 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 Ruling section (below) apply to the defined class of entities, who take part in the scheme to which this Ruling relates. All legislative references in this Ruling are to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) unless otherwise indicated. In this Product Ruling this scheme is referred to as the '1997 Timbercorp Eucalypts Project' or simply as 'the Project'. | Class of entities: 2. This part of the Product Ruling specifies which entities can rely on the tax benefits set out in the Ruling section of this Product Ruling. In this Product Ruling, those entities that can rely on the tax benefits set out in this Ruling are referred to as Growers. 3. The class of entities who can rely on those tax benefits consists of entities that were accepted to participate in the scheme between 14 March 1997 and 13 March 1998 and whose Woodlots were planted in 1998. | Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993: 4. This Product Ruling does not address the provisions of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SISA 1993). The Tax Office gives no assurance that the product 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 product may contravene the provisions of SISA 1993. | Qualifications: 5. The class of entities defined in this Product Ruling may rely on it provided the scheme actually carried out is carried out in accordance with the scheme described in paragraphs 14 to 39 of Product Ruling PR 2001/167. 6. If the scheme actually carried out is materially different from the scheme that is described in this Product Ruling, then: 7. This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 , no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to:


Appendix: Division 35 - deferral of losses from non-commercial business activities and the Commissioner's discretion: 21. In deciding to exercise the discretion in paragraph 35-55(1)(b) on a conditional basis for the income year ended 30 June 2008, based on the evidence supplied, the Commissioner has determined that for this income year: 22. A Grower who would otherwise be required to defer a loss arising from their participation in the Project under subsection 35-10(2) until a later income year is able to offset that loss against their other assessable income. 23. The exercise of the Commissioner's discretion under paragraph 35-55(1)(b) is conditional on the Project being carried on in the manner described in this Ruling during the income years specified. If the Project is carried out in a materially different way to that described in the Ruling a Grower will need to apply for a private ruling on the application of section 35-55 to those changed circumstances.


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, we must apply the law to you in the way set out in the ruling (or in a way that is more favourable for you if we are satisfied that the ruling is incorrect and disadvantages you, and we are 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. | No guarantee of commercial success: The Tax Office does not sanction or guarantee this product. Further, we give no assurance that the product is commercially viable, that charges are reasonable, appropriate or represent industry norms, or that projected returns will be achieved or are reasonably based. | Potential participants must form their own view about the commercial and financial viability of the product. We recommend 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. | Appendix 2 - Detailed contents list


Related rulings: PR 2001/167
Legislative references: ITAA 1997 Div 35 ITAA 1997 35-10 ITAA 1997 35-10 (2) ITAA 1997 35-55 ITAA 1997 35-55(1)(b) TAA 1953 TAA 1953 Sch 1 357-75(1) Copyright Act 1968 SISA 1993
Subject references: non-commercial business losses