Taxation Determination TD 93/55







This Determination, to the extent that it is capable of being a 'public ruling' in terms of Part IVAAA of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 , is a public ruling for the purposes of that Part. Taxation Ruling TR 92/1 explains when a Determination is a public ruling and how it is binding on the Commissioner. Unless otherwise stated, this Determination applies to years commencing both before and after its date of issue. However, this Determination does not apply to taxpayers to the extent that it conflicts with the terms of a settlement of a dispute agreed to before the date of issue of the Determination (see paragraphs 21 and 22 of Taxation Ruling TR 92/20). | 1. Yes. An amount paid to an employee as a housing allowance subsidy (as described below) is considered to be an allowance given in respect of employment or services rendered and is assessable to the employee under subsection 26(e) of the ITAA. | 2. Some remuneration packages provide for the payment of a housing allowance subsidy where the employee owns a home. The subsidy is not intended to be a payment or reimbursement of any particular expense of home purchase or ownership incurred by the employee. The subsidy is merely intended to maintain equitable remuneration between employees who own their homes and those whose rental of private accommodation is paid or reimbursed by the employer. | 3. Because the payment is not intended to reimburse a particular expense of home purchase or ownership, a housing allowance subsidy paid in these circumstances is not a fringe benefit as defined in the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 but is assessable income of the employee. | Commissioner of Taxation 1/4/93 | Previously issued as Draft TD93/D27


Related rulings: IT 2614; TR 92/15
Legislative references: ITAA 26(e) ITAA 23L FBTAA 20 FBTAA 25 FBTAA 40 FBTAA 136(1)
Subject references: housing allowance subsidy