Income Tax Assessment Act 1997-Free-Samples-Myassignmenthelp.com

Questions: 1.Can Robyn be taxed on any part of her salary, from Victoria University, in Australia for the 2016/17 tax year and any other years she acts as coordinator in Calcutta. Fully explain your answer. 2.Determine what amounts will form part of Pauls assessable income for the 2016/17 taxation year. Answers: 1.Issue The major issue is to determine whether the taxpayer Robyn from Victoria University would be taxed as per Australian tax law for the tax year 2016/17. Law The tax liability on the derived income of taxpayer mainly depends on the tax residency position. When a taxpayer is termed as Australian tax resident, then the income derived from domestic (Australian) source and from international sources would be taxed as highlighted in Section 6-5(2), ITAA 1997[1]. Further, when the taxpayer is foreign tax resident then only the part of income which is derived from Australian sources would be held for taxation as per the highlights of Section 6-5(3), ITAA 1997[2]. Therefore, it is critical aspect to find the tax residency position of underlying taxpayer. Section (1), ITAA 1936, comprises imperative provisions related to the tax residency status of individual taxpayer. Further, in order to determine the tax residency position of taxpayer tax ruling TR 98/17[3] would be taken into consideration. When the taxpayer is residing in other country rather than Australia then the tax residency positions would be determined based on residency tests. There are four main tests (Residency tests) describe in the TR 98/17 which comprises the requisite conditions that needs to be satisfied by the concerned taxpayer in order to recognized as Australia tax resident. It is essential that taxpayer must fulfill the conditions of at least one of residency test[4]. Residency tests and their applicability are as given below: Tests Residency Tests Applicability 1. Resides Test Foreign Residents 2. Superannuation Test Australian Governments officers 3. Domicile Test Australian Residents 4. 183 day Test Foreign Residents Determination of tax residency position when the taxpayer is foreign resident[5] Resides Test There is no direct law or ruling available in Australian tax law, which describes the actual meaning and implication of word Resides. Hence, the relevant case law and their verdicts are taken into consideration in order to decide the tax residency through this test. Moreover, the main factors considered by the tax authorities are as highlighted below[6]: Purpose of visits and abode in Australia Frequency of visits Presence of any personal/professional/educational tie with Australia Social arrangement of taxpayer with Australia Also, the nationality of the taxpayer would be taken into account while deciding the tax residency status for the given tax year. 183-day test When the taxpayer who is foreign resident and has stayed in Australia, then the following conditions need to be satiated by the taxpayer in order to pass this test. Taxpayer has stayed in Australia for minimum 183 days in the given assessment tax year Taxpayer must has strong will to permanently settle in Australia Superannuation test When the government of Australia has sent their officers to overseas in order to fulfill the government duties, then this test is used to check the tax residency of officer taxpayer. It is essential that the taxpayer has systematic and steady contribution in any of the superannuation scheme of Australian government. These schemes are as given below: Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSSS) Domicile test The taxpayer must satisfied the following two conditions of domicile test in regards to termed as Australian tax resident irrespective of the fact that taxpayer has resided in foreign land[7]. Taxpayer must hold Australian domicile under the provisions of Domicile Act 1982 Taxpayers permanent abode must located in Australia only (the Levene v, I.R.C.[8] case is the testimony of this condition) When the taxpayer who holds Australian domicile but the permanent abode is located in foreign land, then he/she would be categorized as foreign resident. Therefore, it is imperative to check the location of permanent abode of taxpayer. As per the verdict of Applegate per Franki[9]case, if the taxpayer holds Australian domicile but resides in foreign land for substantial period of time (i.e. atleast 2 years) or having intention to extend the abode than it would be assumed that the permanent place of abode has been shifted from Australia. In such case, the person would not be termed as Australian tax resident. The main features related to the permanent abode of taxpayer are described in the tax ruling IT 2650 and are given below[10]: Difference in the actual and expected abode in foreign land Taxpayers intention to purchase home in foreign country Intention of the taxpayer to make another visits to any other country or to go back to Australia after a definite but substantial time period Total duration of stay in foreign land and willingness to extent the stay Strength of association (professional/private and so forth) with Australia Activity of taxpayer which highlights the intent to make permanent abode in foreign land Application Robyn Rainer is the concerned taxpayer who was working as a lecturer in Victoria University in Australia. The university also conducted business courses in Calcutta University India. Jason Holm who was the coordinator in Calcutta University India has resigned from the job. After his resignation, the university was looking for a lecturer who can go and stay in India and continue the work. Taxpayer who was looking for a career opportunity as a course coordinator has expressed her interest and also gets approved for the post. On January 14, she has joined the Calcutta University India. It is apparent that the taxpayer is neither an Australian government officer nor a foreign resident and hence, superannuation test, 183 day test and resides test are not applicable. Further, she is an Australian resident and therefore, the only valid test is domicile test in order to check the tax residency status of Robyn. Applicable test Domicile test Robyn has Australia domicile. Permanent place of abode needs to be determined as per tax ruling IT 2650. It is apparent from the case facts that she lives in a company owned flat in India. She has also opened a bank account in Indian bank where she has receiving half of her salary. She has rented her flat located in Melbourne for a period of 12 months. She has intention to remain in the position of coordinator in Calcutta as long as the course is conducted in India. Hence, it would be fair to conclude that Robyn has arrived India for a substantial time and thus, her permanent place of abode has shifted from Australian and located in India. Based on the facts, it can be concluded that Robyn fails to pass domicile test because her permanent place of abode is not in Australia. Therefore, her salary would be taxed in Australia for 2016/17. Conclusion It is apparent from the above that the only applicable test is domicile test. Further, the permanent place of abode of taxpayer Robyn is shifted from Australian and hence, during the tax year 2016/17 her permanent place of abode is located in India. Therefore, it is fair to conclude that taxpayer is not an Australian tax resident. Also, she would be categorized as foreign tax resident and thus, the domestic income would be liable for taxation. Therefore, under section 6-5(3), ITAA 1997 her salary from Victoria University would be taxed in Australia for the tax year 2016/17. 2.Issue The central issue is to identify the amounts that would be included as assessable income for Paul for the taxation year 2016/2017 i.e. year ending on June 30, 2017. Law One of the components of assessable income for a taxpayer in Australia is ordinary income as defined by s. 6(5), ITAA 1997. The section defines ordinary income as that derived from ordinary sources. However, the ordinary sources are not defined in the statute and hence the various case laws and ATO rulings are relied on interpreting the various sources that are covered under the ambit of ordinary income. One of the key sources of ordinary income is employment income. Also, the income derived from any business or profession is also included in the fold of ordinary income as apparent from tax ruling TR 98/1. Besides, income received in kind instead of cash would also be included in taxable income as per TR 1999/17. It is noteworthy that there are various general business expenses related deductions that the taxpayer may assess in order to compute the taxable income in accordance with s. 8(1) ITAA 1997. Another critical issue while determination of assessable income arising from business is to determine whether the same should be done on a cash basis (Receipts Basis) or accrual basis (Earnings Basis). In accordance with TR 98/1, the taxpayer ought to choose the method which most appropriately captures the income. For instance, if the money received for clients is non-refundable, then the cash basis is more suitable because irrespective of service provided in the future or not, the money would not be given back and hence it makes sense to book revenues. On the other hand, if the cash collected from customer can be broken into smaller payments for particular milestones and excess payment is refundable, then the earnings method makes more sense for computation of assessable income[11]. Also, with regards to determination of gift, TR 2005/13 is relevant as division 30; ITAA 1997 has been rather silent in this regard. Based on the various case laws, it highlights the four conditions which are needed for a payment to be recognized as gift. These are as follows[12]. There needs to be an ownership transfer in the favor of the transferee. The transfer should be carried out on a voluntary basis. The transferor must not have any reciprocal material expectations from the transferee in exchange for the gift extended. The transfer must arise on account of benefaction. If a given payment fulfills the above criterion, then it would be recognized as gift and no tax would be charged on the same and hence no contribution to assessable income would be made[13]. Application It is apparent from the given facts that Paul is in the business of providing golf classes and hence the income derived from providing these classes would be termed as ordinary income under s. 6(5). Further, with regards to the appropriate means to record assessable income for Paul, the more appropriate means would be accrual basis as it is apparent that for the 12 lessons even though all the money is paid upfront but the same is refundable if the client fails to attend some lessons on a proportionate basis. This implies that for the sum collected for the 12 lessons, there is likelihood that some portion would be refunded to the client in the event client fails to turn up for the lessons. Thus, it is prudent that assessable income from the 12 lessons revenues should only realize the portion for which classes have been provided till June 30, 2017. The revenue for the remaining would be recognized in 2017/2018 as and when the lessons are imparted to the clients. Also, it is noteworthy that payment of $10,000 from Doreen would be recorded as a gift and hence it will not contribute to assessable income. This is because Doreen has paid the amount on a voluntary basis and also because the transfership of ownership has been completed. Further, Doreen by giving the money had no material reciprocal expectations in return and was primarily given as a token of appreciation to her teacher Paul. Additionally, the payment of two students that went into paying for damage to Davids golf buggy would also be part of the assessable income as per TR 1999/17. Conclusion Based on the above discussion, it is apparent that assessable income for Paul would consist of income from lessons on an accrual basis coupled with payment made by the students for making up for the damage caused to Davids golf buggy. References Websites ATO, INCOME TAX ASSESSMENT ACT 1997, https://www.ato.gov.au/law/view/document?DocID=PAC/19970038/6-5 Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Rulings: TR 98/17-Income tax: residency status of individuals entering Australia (25 November 1998), https://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/rulings/ato/ATOTR/1998/tr1998-017/ Commonwealth Consolidated Acts: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 SECT 6.5. https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/itaa1997240/s6.5.html Books Sadiq, Kerrie, et. al., Principles of Taxation Law 2015, (Pymont, Thomson Reuters, 2015) Deutsch, Robert, et. al., Australian tax handbook. (Pymont, Thomson Reuters, 2015) Relevant Statutes Income Tax Assessment Act, 1936 Income Tax Assessment Act, 1997 ATO, INCOME TAX ASSESSMENT ACT 1997, https://www.ato.gov.au/law/view/document?DocID=PAC/19970038/6-5 Commonwealth Consolidated Acts: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 SECT 6.5 https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/itaa1997240/s6.5.html Australian Taxation Office, TR 98/17-Income tax: residency status of individuals entering Australia [ (25 November 1998), https://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/rulings/ato/ATOTR/1998/tr1998-017/ Sadiq, Kerrie, et. al., Principles of Taxation Law 2015, (Pymont,Thomson Reuters, 2015), p.3 Deutsch, Robert, et. al., Australian tax handbook. (Pymont, Thomson Reuters, 2015), p.67-68 Ibid.3. Ibid.4. Levene v, I.R.C. (1928) A.C.2017 Applegate per Franki J 79 ATC at 4314; 9ATR at p. 907 Australian Taxation Office, Taxation Ruling No. IT 2650, (1991) https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Income-and-deductions/Income-you-must-declare/ Ibid.3 [13] Ibid.4.