Commonwealth Coat of Arms

A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999

No. 55, 1999 as amended

Compilation start date:   3 December 2012

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 169, 2012

 

About this compilation

The compiled Act

This is a compilation of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 as amended and in force on 3 December 2012. It includes any amendment affecting the compiled Act to that date.

This compilation was prepared on 1 March 2013.

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending Acts and instruments and the amendment history of each amended provision.

Uncommenced provisions and amendments

If a provision of the compiled Act is affected by an uncommenced amendment, the text of the uncommenced amendment is set out in the endnotes.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for amendments

If the operation of an amendment is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision, the provision is set out in the endnotes.

Modifications

If a provision of the compiled Act is affected by a textual modification that is in force, the text of the modifying provision is set out in the endnotes.

Provisions ceasing to have effect

If a provision of the compiled Act has expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the Act, details of the provision are set out in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

Chapter 1—Introduction

Part 11—Preliminary

Division 1—Preliminary

11.................................Short title

12.............................Commencement

13.............................CommonwealthState financial relations

14..........States and Territories are bound by the GST law

Part 12—Using this Act

Division 2—Overview of the GST legislation

21..........................What this Act is about

25........................The basic rules (Chapter 2)

210.......................The exemptions (Chapter 3)

215.......................The special rules (Chapter 4)

220........................Miscellaneous (Chapter 5)

225..................Interpretative provisions (Chapter 6)

230....Administration, collection and recovery provisions in the Taxation Administration Act 1953

Division 3—Defined terms

31...................When defined terms are identified

35.............................When terms are not identified

310.............Identifying the defined term in a definition

Division 4—Status of Guides and other nonoperative material

41....................................Nonoperative material

45...........................Explanatory sections

410..............................Other material

Chapter 2—The basic rules

Division 5—Introduction

51.......................What this Chapter is about

55......................The structure of this Chapter

Part 21—The central provisions

Division 7—The central provisions

71........................GST and input tax credits

75...............................Net amounts

710...............................Tax periods

715.........................Payments and refunds

Part 22—Supplies and acquisitions

Division 9—Taxable supplies

91.......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 9A—What are taxable supplies?

95.............................Taxable supplies

910...............................Meaning of supply

915..............................Consideration

917.......Certain payments and other things not consideration

920................................Enterprises

925..................Supplies connected with Australia

930.........................Supplies that are GSTfree or input taxed

939..............Special rules relating to taxable supplies

Subdivision 9B—Who is liable for GST on taxable supplies?

940................Liability for GST on taxable supplies

969..Special rules relating to liability for GST on taxable supplies

Subdivision 9C—How much GST is payable on taxable supplies?

970..............The amount of GST on taxable supplies

975.....................The value of taxable supplies

980.........The value of taxable supplies that are partly GSTfree or input taxed

985 Value of taxable supplies to be expressed in Australian currency

990....................Rounding of amounts of GST

999 Special rules relating to the amount of GST on taxable supplies

Division 11—Creditable acquisitions

111......................What this Division is about

115...................What is a creditable acquisition?

1110..............................Meaning of acquisition

1115..............................Meaning of creditable purpose

1120 Who is entitled to input tax credits for creditable acquisitions?

1125 How much are the input tax credits for creditable acquisitions?

1130...............Acquisitions that are partly creditable

1199................Special rules relating to acquisitions

Part 23—Importations

Division 13—Taxable importations

131......................What this Division is about

135....................What are taxable importations?

1310..............................Meaning of nontaxable importation

1315.........Who is liable for GST on taxable importations?

1320......How much GST is payable on taxable importations?

1325......The value of taxable importations that are partly nontaxable importations

1399...........Special rules relating to taxable importations

Division 15—Creditable importations

151......................What this Division is about

155..................What are creditable importations?

1510..............................Meaning of creditable purpose

1515 Who is entitled to input tax credits for creditable importations?

1520 How much are the input tax credits for creditable importations?

1525...............Importations that are partly creditable

1599.........Special rules relating to creditable importations

Part 24—Net amounts and adjustments

Division 17—Net amounts and adjustments

171......................What this Division is about

175...............................Net amounts

1710..............................Adjustments

1715.........Working out net amounts using approved forms

1720....Determinations relating to how to work out net amounts

1799.......Special rules relating to net amounts or adjustments

Division 19—Adjustment events

191......................What this Division is about

195...........Explanation of the effect of adjustment events

Subdivision 19A—Adjustment events

1910..........................Adjustment events

Subdivision 19B—Adjustments for supplies

1940...............Where adjustments for supplies arise

1945................Previously attributed GST amounts

1950................Increasing adjustments for supplies

1955................Decreasing adjustments for supplies

Subdivision 19C—Adjustments for acquisitions

1970.............Where adjustments for acquisitions arise

1975..........Previously attributed input tax credit amounts

1980..............Increasing adjustments for acquisitions

1985..............Decreasing adjustments for acquisitions

1999............Special rules relating to adjustment events

Division 21—Bad debts

211......................What this Division is about

215..............Writing off bad debts (taxable supplies)

2110.Recovering amounts previously written off (taxable supplies)

2115..........Bad debts written off (creditable acquisitions)

2120Recovering amounts previously written off (creditable acquisitions)

2199........Special rules relating to adjustments for bad debts

Part 25—Registration

Division 23—Who is required to be registered and who may be registered

231........................Explanation of Division

235...................Who is required to be registered

2310........................Who may be registered

2315.................The registration turnover threshold

2320......................Not registered for 4 years

2399Special rules relating to who is required to be registered or who may be registered

Division 25—How you become registered, and how your registration can be cancelled

Subdivision 25A—How you become registered

251................When you must apply for registration

255.............When the Commissioner must register you

2510...............The date of effect of your registration

2515...............Effect of backdating your registration

2549................Special rules relating to registration

Subdivision 25B—How your registration can be cancelled

2550......When you must apply for cancellation of registration

2555........When the Commissioner must cancel registration

2557.....When the Commissioner may cancel your registration

2560...............The date of effect of your cancellation

2565......Effect of backdating your cancellation of registration

2599.......Special rules relating to cancellation of registration

Part 26—Tax periods

Division 27—How to work out the tax periods that apply to you

271......................What this Division is about

275.................General rule—3 month tax periods

2710.................Election of one month tax periods

2715..............Determination of one month tax periods

2720.........Withdrawing elections of one month tax periods

2722...........Revoking elections of one month tax periods

2725.......Revoking determinations of one month tax periods

2730Tax periods determined by the Commissioner to take account of changes in tax periods

2735........Changing the days on which your tax periods end

2737.........Special determination of tax periods on request

2738..........Revoking special determination of tax periods

2739................Tax periods of incapacitated entities

2740.................An entity’s concluding tax period

2799................Special rules relating to tax periods

Division 29—What is attributable to tax periods

291......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 29A—The attribution rules

295...........Attributing the GST on your taxable supplies

2910 Attributing the input tax credits for your creditable acquisitions

2915Attributing the input tax credits for your creditable importations

2920....................Attributing your adjustments

2925....Commissioner may determine particular attribution rules

2939.............Special rules relating to attribution rules

Subdivision 29B—Accounting on a cash basis

2940................Choosing to account on a cash basis

2945...............Permission to account on a cash basis

2950.................Ceasing to account on a cash basis

2969.......Special rules relating to accounting on a cash basis

Subdivision 29C—Tax invoices and adjustment notes

2970..............................Tax invoices

2975...........................Adjustment notes

2980Tax invoices and adjustment notes not required for low value transactions

2999...Special rules relating to tax invoices and adjustment notes

Part 27—Returns, payments and refunds

Division 31—GST returns

311......................What this Division is about

315.....................Who must give GST returns

318....When GST returns must be given—quarterly tax periods

3110......When GST returns must be given—other tax periods

3115...............The form and contents of GST returns

3120.......................Additional GST returns

3125................Electronic lodgment of GST returns

3130..............GST returns treated as being duly made

3199................Special rules relating to GST returns

Division 33—Payments of GST

331......................What this Division is about

333When payments of assessed net amounts must be made—quarterly tax periods

335When payments of assessed net amounts must be made—other tax periods

3310.........How payment of assessed net amounts are made

3315............Payments of assessed GST on importations

3399............Special rules relating to payments of GST

Division 35—Refunds

351......................What this Division is about

355.........................Entitlement to refund

3510.......................When entitlement arises

3599...................Special rules relating to refunds

Part 28—Checklist of special rules

Division 37—Checklist of special rules

371.......................Checklist of special rules

Chapter 3—The exemptions

Part 31—Supplies that are not taxable supplies

Division 38—GSTfree supplies

381......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 38A—Food

382...................................Food

383..........................Food that is not GSTfree

384...............................Meaning of food

385...................Premises used in supplying food

386...........................Packaging of food

Subdivision 38B—Health

387............................Medical services

3810.........................Other health services

3815.............Other government funded health services

3820..........................Hospital treatment

3825.........................Residential care etc.

3830.........................Community care etc.

3835..............................Flexible care

3840.....................Specialist disability services

3845.....................Medical aids and appliances

3847...............................Other GSTfree health goods

3850...............Drugs and medicinal preparations etc.

3855.....................Private health insurance etc.

3860......................Third party procured GSTfree health supplies

Subdivision 38C—Education

3885...........................Education courses

3890.......................Excursions or field trips

3895...........................Course materials

3897...............Lease etc. of curriculum related goods

38100..........................Supplies that are not GSTfree

38105............Accommodation at boarding schools etc.

38110.................Recognition of prior learning etc.

Subdivision 38D—Child care

38140 Child care—registered carers under the family assistance law

38145Child care—approved child care services under the family assistance law

38150...........................Other child care

38155.......Supplies directly related to child care that is GSTfree

Subdivision 38E—Exports and other supplies for consumption outside Australia

38185...........................Exports of goods

38187..........Lease etc. of goods for use outside Australia

38188........................Tooling used by nonresidents to manufacture goods for export

38190Supplies of things, other than goods or real property, for consumption outside Australia

Subdivision 38F—Religious services

38220..........................Religious services

Subdivision 38G—Activities of charities etc.

38250.....................Nominal consideration etc.

38255................................Secondhand goods

38260.......Supplies of retirement village accommodation etc.

38270..........Raffles and bingo conducted by charities etc.

Subdivision 38I—Water, sewerage and drainage

38285.................................Water

38290......................Sewerage and seweragelike services

38295......................Emptying of septic tanks

38300...............................Drainage

Subdivision 38J—Supplies of going concerns

38325.....................Supply of a going concern

Subdivision 38K—Transport and related matters

38355.............Supplies of transport and related matters

38360............Travel agents arranging overseas supplies

Subdivision 38L—Precious metals

38385....................Supplies of precious metals

Subdivision 38M—Supplies through inwards duty free shops

38415............Supplies through inwards duty free shops

Subdivision 38N—Grants of land by governments

38445...Grants of freehold and similar interests by governments

38450Leases preceding grants of freehold and similar interests by governments

Subdivision 38O—Farm land

38475........................Subdivided farm land

38480..................Farm land supplied for farming

Subdivision 38P—Cars for use by disabled people

38505..........................Disabled veterans

38510........................Other disabled people

Subdivision 38Q—International mail

38540..........................International mail

Subdivision 38R—Telecommunication supplies made under arrangements for global roaming in Australia

38570Telecommunication supplies made under arrangements for global roaming in Australia

Subdivision 38S—Eligible emissions units

38590......................Eligible emissions units

Division 40—Input taxed supplies

401......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 40A—Financial supplies

405...........................Financial supplies

Subdivision 40B—Residential rent

4035............................Residential rent

Subdivision 40C—Residential premises

4065....................Sales of residential premises

4070.........Supplies of residential premises by way of longterm lease

4075..............................Meaning of new residential premises

Subdivision 40D—Precious metals

40100...........................Precious metals

Subdivision 40E—School tuckshops and canteens

40130..................School tuckshops and canteens

Subdivision 40F—Fundraising events conducted by charities etc.

40160..................................Fundraising events conducted by charities etc.

40165.............................Meaning of fundraising event

Part 32—Nontaxable importations

Division 42—Nontaxable importations

421......................What this Division is about

425....................................Nontaxable importations—Schedule 4 to the Customs Tariff Act 1995

4210......Goods returned to Australia in an unaltered condition

Chapter 4—The special rules

Division 45—Introduction

451......................What this Chapter is about

455.......................The effect of special rules

Part 41—Special rules mainly about particular ways entities are organised

Division 48—GST groups

481......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 48A—Formation and membership of GST groups

485.......................Formation of GST groups

487.....................Membership of GST groups

4810............Membership requirements of a GST group

4815................Relationship of companies and noncompanies in a GST group

Subdivision 48B—Consequences of GST groups

4840........................Who is liable for GST

4845.................Who is entitled to input tax credits

4850..............................Adjustments

4851Consequences of being a member of a GST group for part of a tax period

4852Consequences for a representative member of membership change during a tax period

4853Consequences of changing a representative member during a tax period

4855...GST groups treated as single entities for certain purposes

4857.......Tax invoices that are required to identify recipients

4860..............................GST returns

Subdivision 48C—Administrative matters

4870..........Changing the membership etc. of GST groups

4871Approval of early day of effect of forming, changing etc. GST groups

4873....Tax periods of GST groups with incapacitated members

4875Effect of representative member becoming an incapacitated entity

Subdivision 48D—Ceasing to be a member of a GST group

48110.Adjustments after you cease to be a member of a GST group

48115Changes in extent of creditable purpose after you cease to be a member of a GST group

Division 49—GST religious groups

491......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 49A—Approval of GST religious groups

495..................Approval of GST religious groups

4910......Membership requirements of a GST religious group

Subdivision 49B—Consequences of approval of GST religious groups

4930......Supplies between members of GST religious groups

4935....Acquisitions between members of GST religious groups

4940..........................Adjustment events

4945............Changes in the extent of creditable purpose

4950GST religious groups treated as single entities for certain purposes

Subdivision 49C—Administrative matters

4970....Changing the membership etc. of GST religious groups

4975.........Revoking the approval of GST religious groups

4980.................Notification by principal members

4985............Date of effect of approvals and revocations

4990.................Notification by the Commissioner

Division 50—GST treatment of religious practitioners

Guide to Division 50

501......................What this Division is about

505..............GST treatment of religious practitioners

Division 51—GST joint ventures

511......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 51A—Formation of and participation in GST joint ventures

515...................Formation of GST joint ventures

517..................Participants in GST joint ventures

5110........Participation requirements of a GST joint venture

Subdivision 51B—Consequences of GST joint ventures

5130........................Who is liable for GST

5135.................Who is entitled to input tax credits

5140..............................Adjustments

5145.....Additional net amounts relating to GST joint ventures

5150............GST returns relating to GST joint ventures

5152..Consolidation of GST returns relating to GST joint ventures

5155.........Payments of GST relating to GST joint ventures

5160..............Refunds relating to GST joint ventures

Subdivision 51C—Administrative matters

5170......Changing the participants etc. of GST joint ventures

5175Approval of early day of effect of forming, changing etc. GST joint ventures

Subdivision 51D—Ceasing to be a participant in, or an operator of, a GST joint venture

51110Adjustments after you cease to be a participant in a GST joint venture

51115Changes in extent of creditable purpose after you cease to be a member of a GST joint venture

Division 54—GST branches

541......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 54A—Registration of GST branches

545....................Registration of GST branches

5410........The date of effect of registration of a GST branch

5415..................GST branch registration number

Subdivision 54B—Consequences of registration of GST branches

5440........Additional net amounts relating to GST branches

5445....................Net amounts of parent entities

5450.................Tax invoices and adjustment notes

5455...............GST returns relating to GST branches

5460............Payments of GST relating to GST branches

5465.................Refunds relating to GST branches

Subdivision 54C—Cancellation of registration of GST branches

5470When an entity must apply for cancellation of registration of a GST branch

5475When the Commissioner must cancel registration of a GST branch

5480The date of effect of cancellation of registration of a GST branch

5485.....................Application of Subdivision 25B

5490.Effect on GST branches of cancelling the entity’s registration

Division 57—Resident agents acting for nonresidents

571......................What this Division is about

575.........................Who is liable for GST

5710.................Who is entitled to input tax credits

5715..............................Adjustments

5720...........Resident agents are required to be registered

5725..........Cancellation of registration of a resident agent

5730....................Notice of cessation of agency

5735....................Tax periods of resident agents

5740.........................GST returns for nonresidents

5745................Resident agents giving GST returns

5750...................................Nonresidents that belong to GST groups

Division 58—Representatives of incapacitated entities

581......................What this Division is about

585General principle for the relationship between incapacitated entities and their representatives

5810.......Circumstances in which representatives have GSTrelated liabilities and entitlements

5815......................Adjustments for bad debts

5820...........Representatives are required to be registered

5825..........Cancellation of registration of a representative

5830................Notice of cessation of representation

5835...................Tax periods of representatives

5840..Effect on attribution rules of not accounting on a cash basis

5845....GST returns for representatives of incapacitated entities

5850.Representatives to give GST returns for incapacitated entities

5855Incapacitated entities not required to give GST returns in some cases

5860 Representative to notify Commissioner of certain liabilities etc.

5865.......Money available to meet representative’s liabilities

5870..............Protection for actions of representative

5895Division does not apply to the extent that the representative is a creditor of the incapacitated entity

Division 60—Preestablishment costs

601......................What this Division is about

605Input tax credit for acquisitions and importations before establishment

6010.........Registration etc. not needed for input tax credits

6015....................................Preestablishment acquisitions and importations

6020..........................Creditable purpose

6025...............Attributing the input tax credit for preestablishment acquisitions

6030...............Attributing the input tax credit for preestablishment importations

6035.......................Application of Division 129

Division 63—Nonprofit subentities

631......................What this Division is about

635..........Entities that may choose to apply this Division

6310................Period for which a choice has effect

6315........Consequences of choosing to apply this Division

6320...................................Nonprofit subentities may register

6325..............Registration turnover threshold for nonprofit subentities

6327..Application of particular provisions relating to charities etc.

6330...............................When nonprofit subentities must apply for cancellation of registration

6335....When the Commissioner must cancel registration of nonprofit subentities

6340.............Effect on adjustments of becoming a nonprofit subentity

6345...........Effect on adjustments of ceasing to be a nonprofit subentity

6350.............Membership requirements of GST groups

Part 42—Special rules mainly about supplies and acquisitions

Division 66—Secondhand goods

661......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 66A—Input tax credits for acquiring secondhand goods

665..................Creditable acquisitions of secondhand goods

6610Amounts of input tax credits for creditable acquisitions of secondhand goods

6615Attributing input tax credits for creditable acquisitions of secondhand goods

6617...........Records of creditable acquisitions of secondhand goods

Subdivision 66B—Acquisitions of secondhand goods that are divided for resupply

6640........................Acquisitions of secondhand goods that can be used to offset GST on future resupplies

6645................................Future resupplies that are not taxable supplies

6650................................Future resupplies on which GST is reduced

6655.................Records of acquisitions of secondhand goods to which this Subdivision applied

6660...............Input tax credits for acquiring secondhand goods the supply of which is not fully taxable

6665...........................Total Subdivision 66B credit amounts and Subdivision 66B GST amounts

6670Commissioner may determine rules for applying this Subdivision

Division 69—Nondeductible expenses

691......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 69A—Nondeductible expenses generally

695....................................Nondeductible expenses do not give rise to creditable acquisitions or creditable importations

6910Amounts of input tax credits for creditable acquisitions or creditable importations of certain cars

Subdivision 69B—Elections for GST purposes relating to meal entertainment and entertainment facilities

6915...................What this Subdivision is about

6920.................Effect of elections on net amounts

6925.Election to use the 50/50 split method for meal entertainment

6930Election to use the 12 week register method for meal entertainment

6935Election to use the 50/50 split method for entertainment facilities

6940......................When elections take effect

6945................When elections cease to have effect

6950..............Adjustment events relating to elections

6955...................Adjustment notes not required

Division 70—Financial supplies (reduced credit acquisitions)

701......................What this Division is about

705.............Acquisitions that attract the reduced credit

7010........................Extended meaning of creditable purpose

7015...........How much are the reduced input tax credits?

7020.....................Extent of creditable purpose

7025...........Sale of reduced credit acquisitions (Division 132)

Division 71—Fringe benefits provided by input taxed suppliers

711......................What this Division is about

715.Acquisitions by input taxed suppliers to provide fringe benefits

7110 Importations by input taxed suppliers to provide fringe benefits

Division 72—Associates

721......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 72A—Supplies without consideration

725...............Taxable supplies without consideration

7210.......The value of taxable supplies without consideration

7215.................Attributing the GST to tax periods

7220..Supplies and acquisitions that would otherwise be sales etc.

7225..............Supplies that would otherwise be GSTfree, input taxed or financial supplies

Subdivision 72B—Acquisitions without consideration

7240..........Creditable acquisitions without consideration

7245.................The amount of the input tax credit

7250...........Attributing the input tax credit to tax periods

Subdivision 72C—Supplies for inadequate consideration

7270...The value of taxable supplies for inadequate consideration

Subdivision 72D—Application of this Division to certain subentities

7290.............................GST branches

7292...................................Nonprofit subentities

7295................Commonwealth government entities

72100..............State or Territory government entities

Division 75—Sale of freehold interests etc.

751......................What this Division is about

755.....................Applying the margin scheme

7510..............The amount of GST on taxable supplies

7511Margins for supplies of real property in particular circumstances

7512Working out margins to take into account failure to pay full consideration

7513Working out margins to take into account supplies to associates

7514Consideration for acquisition of real property not to include cost of improvements etc.

7515............................Subdivided land

7516Margins for supplies of real property acquired through several acquisitions

7520Supplies under a margin scheme do not give rise to creditable acquisitions

7522.Increasing adjustment relating to input tax credit entitlement

7525.................Adjustments relating to bad debts

7527...Decreasing adjustment for later payment of consideration

7530Tax invoices not required for supplies of real property under the margin scheme

7535.........................Approved valuations

Division 78—Insurance

781......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 78A—Insurers

785.....GST on insurance premiums is exclusive of stamp duty

7810..Decreasing adjustments for settlements of insurance claims

7815...........How to work out the decreasing adjustments

7818Increasing adjustments for payments of excess under insurance policies

7820Settlements of insurance claims do not give rise to creditable acquisitions

7825....Supplies in settlement of claims are not taxable supplies

7830Acquisitions by insurers in the course of settling claims under nontaxable policies

7835........Taxable supplies relating to rights of subrogation

7840Adjustment events relating to decreasing adjustments under this Division

7842Adjustment events relating to increasing adjustments under section 7818

Subdivision 78B—Insured entities etc.

7845Settlements of insurance claims do not give rise to taxable supplies

7850Settlements of insurance claims give rise to taxable supplies if entitlement to input tax credits is not disclosed

7855Payments of excess under insurance policies are not consideration for supplies

7860.Supplies of goods to insurers in the course of settling claims

Subdivision 78C—Third parties

7865.............Payments etc. to third parties by insurers

7870.........Payments etc. to third parties by insured entities

7875....Creditable acquisitions relating to rights of subrogation

Subdivision 78D—Insured entities that are not registered etc.

7880..............................Net amounts

7885..............................GST returns

7890...........................Payments of GST

Subdivision 78E—Statutory compensation schemes

7895GST on premiums etc. under statutory compensation schemes is exclusive of stamp duty

78100Settlements of claims for compensation under statutory compensation schemes

78105.............................Meaning of statutory compensation scheme

Subdivision 78F—Miscellaneous

78110...............Effect of judgments and court orders

78115Exclusion of certain Commonwealth, State or Territory insurance schemes

78118..........................Portfolio transfers

78120.........................HIH rescue package

Division 79—Compulsory third party schemes

791......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 79A—Modified application of Division 78 to certain compulsory third party scheme payments and supplies under insurance policies

795........................Application of sections 7810 and 7815 (about decreasing adjustments) where premium selection test is satisfied

7910Adjustment where operator becomes aware that correct input tax credit situation differs from basis on which premium selection test was satisfied

7915........................Application of sections 7810 and 7815 (about decreasing adjustments) where sole operator election to use average input tax credit entitlement

7920............Extension of various references in Division 78 to rights of subrogation to cover other rights of recovery

Subdivision 79B—Extension of Division 78 to cover certain compulsory third party scheme payments and supplies connected with, but not under, insurance policies

7925..............................Meaning of CTP hybrid payment or supply

7930.......................Application of Division 78

Subdivision 79C—Other payments and supplies under compulsory third party schemes

7935..............................Meaning of CTP compensation or ancillary payment or supply etc.

7940.......GST on CTP premiums is exclusive of stamp duty

7945......Exclusion of certain compulsory third party schemes

7950Decreasing adjustments for CTP compensation or ancillary payments or supplies

7955Increasing adjustments for payments of excess etc. under compulsory third party schemes

7960Effect of settlements and payments under compulsory third party schemes

7965Taxable supplies relating to recovery by operators of compulsory third party schemes

7970Adjustment events relating to decreasing adjustments for operators of compulsory third party schemes

7975Adjustment events relating to increasing adjustments under section 7955

7980Payments of excess under compulsory third party schemes are not consideration for supplies

7985.Supplies of goods to operators in the course of settling claims

7990................Effect of judgments and court orders

Subdivision 79D—Compulsory third party scheme decreasing adjustments worked out using applicable average input tax credit fraction

7995How to work out decreasing adjustments using the applicable average input tax credit fraction

79100.............................Meaning of average input tax credit fraction

Division 80—Settlement sharing arrangements

801......................What this Division is about

Subdivision 80A—Insurance policy settlement sharing arrangements

805...............................Meaning of insurance policy settlement sharing arrangement etc.

8010Effect of becoming parties to industry deeds or entering into settlement sharing arrangements

8015.............Effect of contributing operator’s payment

8020............Managing operator’s payments or supplies

8025..................Contributing operator’s payment

8030Managing operator’s increasing adjustment where contributing operator’s payment

8035Adjustment events relating to managing operator’s payment or supply

Subdivision 80B—Nominal defendant settlement sharing arrangements

8040..............................Meaning of nominal defendant settlement sharing arrangement etc.

8045Nominal defendant settlement sharing arrangements to which this Subdivision applies

8050Effect of becoming parties to industry deeds or entering into nominal defendant settlement sharing arrangements

8055.............Effect of contributing operator’s payment

8060..............Managing operator’s payment or supply

8065..................Contributing operator’s payment

8070Managing operator’s increasing adjustment where contributing operator’s payment

8075Adjustment events relating to managing operator’s payment or supply

Subdivision 80C—Hybrid settlement sharing arrangements

8080..............................Meaning of hybrid settlement sharing arrangement etc.

8085..............................Subdivision 80A to apply to hybrid settlement sharing arrangement, subject to exceptions

8090..............................Subdivision 80B to apply to payments or supplies by managing operator of hybrid settlement sharing arrangement who is also managing operator of nominal defendant settlement sharing arrangement

8095..............................Subdivision 80B to apply to payments or supplies by contributing operator of hybrid settlement sharing arrangement who is also managing operator of nominal defendant settlement sharing arrangement

Division 81—Payments of taxes, fees and charges

811......................What this Division is about

815........................Effect of payment of tax

8110..........Effect of payment of certain fees and charges

8115..Other fees and charges that do not constitute consideration

8120................Division has effect despite sections 915 and 917

8125.....................Date of effect of regulations

Division 82—Supplies in return for rights to develop land

821......................What this Division is about

825Supplies of rights to develop land do not constitute consideration in certain cases

8210Supplies by Australian government agencies of rights to develop land are not for consideration

Division 83—Nonresidents making supplies connected with Australia

831......................What this Division is about

835.............“Reverse charge” on supplies made by nonresidents

8310...........Recipients who are members of GST groups

8315.....Recipients who are participants in GST joint ventures

8320The amount of GST on “reverse charged” supplies made by nonresidents

8325...............................When nonresidents must apply for registration

8330............When the Commissioner must register nonresidents

8335Tax invoices not required for “reverse charged” supplies made by nonresidents

Division 84—Offshore supplies other than goods or real property

841......................What this Division is about

845Intangible supplies from offshore that are taxable supplies under this Division

8410........“Reverse charge” on offshore intangible supplies

8412.......The amount of GST on offshore intangible supplies

8413The amount of input tax credits relating to offshore intangible supplies

8414....Supplies relating to employee share ownership schemes

8415.......Transfers etc. between branches of the same entity

Division 85—Telecommunication supplies

851......................What this Division is about

855 When telecommunication supplies are connected with Australia

8510..............................Meaning of telecommunication supply

Division 87—Longterm accommodation in commercial residential premises

871......................What this Division is about

875 Commercial residential premises that are predominantly for longterm accommodation

8710Commercial residential premises that are not predominantly for longterm accommodation

8715..............................Meaning of commercial accommodation

8720..............................Meaning of longterm accommodation etc.

8725.........Suppliers may choose not to apply this Division

Division 90—Company amalgamations

901......................What this Division is about

905Supplies not taxable—amalgamated company registered or required to be registered

9010Value of taxable supplies—amalgamated company not registered or required to be registered

9015Acquisitions not creditable—amalgamated company registered or required to be registered

9020Liability after amalgamation for GST on amalgamating company’s supplies

9025Entitlement after amalgamation to input tax credits for amalgamating company’s acquisitions

9030..............................Adjustments

9035......Amalgamating companies accounting on a cash basis

Division 93—Time limit on entitlements to input tax credits

931......................What this Division is about

935...........Time limit on entitlements to input tax credits

9310..Exceptions to time limit on entitlements to input tax credits

9315.........GST ceasing to be payable on the related supply

Division 96—Supplies partly connected with Australia

961......................What this Division is about

965......Supplies that are only partly connected with Australia

9610The value of the taxable components of supplies that are only partly connected with Australia

Division 99—Deposits as security

991......................What this Division is about

995..Giving a deposit as security does not constitute consideration

9910.Attributing the GST relating to deposits that are forfeited etc.

Division 100—Vouchers

1001.....................What this Division is about

1005.......Supplies of vouchers with a stated monetary value

10010......................Redemption of vouchers

10012............Consideration on redemption of vouchers

10015.......Increasing adjustments for unredeemed vouchers

10018................Arrangement for supply of voucher

10020.....................Vouchers supplied to nonresidents and redeemed by others in Australia

10025.............................Meaning of voucher etc.

Division 102—Cancelled layby sales

1021.....................What this Division is about

1025.............................Cancelled layby sales

10210..............Attributing GST and input tax credits

Division 105—Supplies in satisfaction of debts

1051.....................What this Division is about

1055Supplies by creditors in satisfaction of debts may be taxable supplies

10510.............................Net amounts

10515.............................GST returns

10520..........................Payments of GST

Division 108—Valuation of taxable supplies of goods in bond

1081.....................What this Division is about

1085..............Taxable supplies of goods in bond etc.

Division 110—Taxrelated transactions

1101.....................What this Division is about

Subdivision 110A—Income taxrelated transactions

1105...........Transfers of tax losses and net capital losses

11015....Supplies under operation of consolidated group regime

11020....Tax sharing agreements—entering into agreement etc.

11025Tax sharing agreements—leaving group clear of group liability

11030......................Tax funding agreements

Subdivision 110B—Other taxrelated transactions

11060 Indirect tax sharing agreements—entering into agreement etc.

11065Indirect tax sharing agreements—leaving GST group or GST joint venture clear of liability

Division 111—Reimbursement of employees etc.

1111.....................What this Division is about

1115.......Creditable acquisitions relating to reimbursements

11110...Amounts of input tax credits relating to reimbursements

11115.............Tax invoices relating to reimbursements

11118Application of Division to volunteers working for charities etc.

11120Application of Division to recipients of certain withholding payments

11125.........Employers paying expenses of employees etc.

11130...Reimbursements etc. of former or future employees etc.

Division 113—PAYG voluntary agreements

1131.....................What this Division is about

1135.........Supply of work or services not a taxable supply

Part 43—Special rules mainly about importations

Division 114—Importations without entry for home consumption

1141.....................What this Division is about

1145........Importations without entry for home consumption

11410Goods that have already been entered for home consumption etc.

11415Payments of amounts of assessed GST where security for payment of customs duty is forfeited

11420Payments of amounts of assessed GST where delivery into home consumption is authorised under section 71 of the Customs Act

11425Warehoused goods entered for home consumption by an entity other than the importer

Division 117—Valuation of reimported goods

1171.....................What this Division is about

1175Valuation of taxable importations of goods that were exported for repair or renovation

11710Valuation of taxable importations of live animals that were exported

11715Refunds of assessed GST on certain reimportations of live animals

Part 44—Special rules mainly about net amounts and adjustments

Division 123—Simplified accounting methods for retailers and small enterprise entities

1231.....................What this Division is about

1235.Commissioner may determine simplified accounting methods

1237..............................Meaning of small enterprise entity

12310.......Choosing to apply a simplified accounting method

12315.............................Net amounts

Division 126—Gambling

1261.....................What this Division is about

1265.........Global accounting system for gambling supplies

12610........................Global GST amounts

12615.......................Losses carried forward

12620...............................Bad debts

12625.....................Application of Subdivision 9C

12630.Gambling supplies do not give rise to creditable acquisitions

12632.....Repayments of gambling losses are not consideration

12633........Tax invoices not required for gambling supplies

12635.............................Meaning of gambling supply and gambling event

Division 129—Changes in the extent of creditable purpose

1291.....................What this Division is about

Subdivision 129A—General

1295..............Adjustments arising under this Division

12910Adjustments do not arise under this Division for acquisitions and importations below a certain value

12915Adjustments do not arise under this Division where there are adjustments under Division 130

Subdivision 129B—Adjustment periods

12920.........................Adjustment periods

12925.Effect on adjustment periods of things being disposed of etc.

Subdivision 129C—When adjustments for acquisitions and importations arise

12940.........Working out whether you have an adjustment

12945..............................Gifts to giftdeductible entities

12950.........................Creditable purpose

12955.............................Meaning of apply

Subdivision 129D—Amounts of adjustments for acquisitions and importations

12970.............The amount of an increasing adjustment

12975.............The amount of a decreasing adjustment

12980..........Effect of adjustment under certain Divisions

Subdivision 129E—Attributing adjustments under this Division

12990Attributing your adjustments for changes in extent of creditable purpose

Division 130—Goods applied solely to private or domestic use

1301.....................What this Division is about

1305.........Goods applied solely to private or domestic use

Division 131—Annual apportionment of creditable purpose

1311.....................What this Division is about

Subdivision 131A—Electing to have annual apportionment

1315......Eligibility to make an annual apportionment election

13110............Making an annual apportionment election

13115Annual apportionment elections by representative members of GST groups

13120..........Duration of an annual apportionment election

Subdivision 131B—Consequences of electing to have annual apportionment

13140..Input tax credits for acquisitions that are partly creditable

13145..Input tax credits for importations that are partly creditable

13150Amounts of input tax credits for creditable acquisitions or creditable importations of certain cars

13155Increasing adjustments relating to annually apportioned acquisitions and importations

13160..............Attributing adjustments under section 13155

Division 132—Supplies of things acquired etc. without full input tax credits

1321.....................What this Division is about

1325Decreasing adjustments for supplies of things acquired, imported or applied for a purpose that is not fully creditable

13210.........Attribution of adjustments under this Division

Division 133—Providing additional consideration under grossup clauses

1331.....................What this Division is about

1335Decreasing adjustments for additional consideration provided under grossup clauses

13310...........Availability of adjustments under Division 19 for acquisitions

Division 134—Third party payments

1341.....................What this Division is about

1345..Decreasing adjustments for payments made to third parties

13410 Increasing adjustments for payments received by third parties

13415..............Attribution of decreasing adjustments

13420....................Third party adjustment notes

13425..................Adjustment events do not arise

13430.......................Application of sections 4855 and 4950

Division 135—Supplies of going concerns

1351.....................What this Division is about

1355........Initial adjustments for supplies of going concerns

13510........Later adjustments for supplies of going concerns

Division 136—Bad debts relating to transactions that are not taxable or creditable to the fullest extent

1361.....................What this Division is about

Subdivision 136A—Bad debts relating to partly taxable or creditable transactions

1365..........Adjustments relating to partly taxable supplies

13610....Adjustments in relation to partly creditable acquisitions

Subdivision 136B—Bad debts relating to transactions that are taxable or creditable at less than 1/11 of the price

13630.............Writing off bad debts (taxable supplies)

13635 Recovering amounts previously written off (taxable supplies)

13640.........Bad debts written off (creditable acquisitions)

13645Recovering amounts previously written off (creditable acquisitions)

13650.................Meanings of taxable at less than 1/11 of the price and creditable at less than 1/11 of the consideration

Division 137—Stock on hand on becoming registered etc.

1371.....................What this Division is about

1375..Adjustments for stock on hand on becoming registered etc.

Division 138—Cessation of registration

1381.....................What this Division is about

1385.............Adjustments for cessation of registration

13810......Attributing adjustments for cessation of registration

13815.Ceasing to be registered—amounts not previously attributed

13817........Situations to which this Division does not apply

13820.......................Application of Division 129

Division 139—Distributions from deceased estates

1391.....................What this Division is about

1395.......Adjustments for distributions from deceased estates

13910Attributing adjustments for distributions from deceased estates

13915.......................Application of Division 129

Division 141—Tradex scheme goods

1411.....................What this Division is about

1415 Adjustments for applying goods contrary to the Tradex Scheme

14110.............................Meaning of tradex scheme goods etc.

14115.........Attribution of adjustments under this Division

14120.......................Application of Division 129

Part 45—Special rules mainly about registration

Division 144—Taxis

1441.....................What this Division is about

1445.......................Requirement to register

Division 149—Government entities

1491.....................What this Division is about

1495..................Government entities may register

14910.....Government entities are not required to be registered

14915.......GST law applies to registered government entities

14920.Government entities not required to cancel their registration

14925....Membership requirements of a government GST group

Part 46—Special rules mainly about tax periods

Division 151—Annual tax periods

1511.....................What this Division is about

Subdivision 151A—Electing to have annual tax periods

1515.........Eligibility to make an annual tax period election

15110..............Making an annual tax period election

15115Annual tax period elections by representative members of GST groups

15120.....When you must make your annual tax period election

15125............Duration of an annual tax period election

Subdivision 151B—Consequences of electing to have annual tax periods

15140.........................Annual tax periods

15145...When GST returns for annual tax periods must be given

15150When payments of assessed net amounts for annual tax periods must be made

15155............An entity’s concluding annual tax period

15160.............The effect of incapacitation or cessation

Division 153—Agents etc. and insurance brokers

1531.....................What this Division is about

Subdivision 153A—General

1535 Attributing the input tax credits for your creditable acquisitions

15310...................Attributing your adjustments

15315.............................Tax invoices

15320..........................Adjustment notes

15325..........Insurance supplied through insurance brokers

Subdivision 153B—Principals and intermediaries as separate suppliers or acquirers

15350Arrangements under which intermediaries are treated as suppliers or acquirers

15355..........The effect of these arrangements on supplies

15360........The effect of these arrangements on acquisitions

15365Determinations that supplies or acquisitions are taken to be under these arrangements

Division 156—Supplies and acquisitions made on a progressive or periodic basis

1561.....................What this Division is about

1565....Attributing the GST on progressive or periodic supplies

15610Attributing the input tax credits on progressive or periodic acquisitions

15615Progressive or periodic supplies partly connected with Australia

15617.......................Application of Division 58 to progressive or periodic supplies and acquisitions

15620.......................Application of Division 129 to progressive or periodic acquisitions

15622 Leases etc. treated as being on a progressive or periodic basis

15623Certain supplies or acquisitions under hire purchase agreements treated as not on progressive or periodic basis

15625....................Accounting on a cash basis

Division 157—Accounting basis of charities etc.

1571.....................What this Division is about

1575........Charities etc. choosing to account on a cash basis

15710........Charities etc. ceasing to account on a cash basis

Division 158—Hire purchase agreements

1581.....................What this Division is about

1585..............Treat as not accounting on a cash basis

Division 159—Changing your accounting basis

1591.....................What this Division is about

1595Ceasing to account on a cash basis—amounts not previously attributed

15910 Ceasing to account on a cash basis—amounts partly attributed

15915.........Ceasing to account on a cash basis—bad debts

15920................Starting to account on a cash basis

15925.........Starting to account on a cash basis—bad debts

15930........Entities ceasing to exist or coming into existence

Part 47—Special rules mainly about returns, payments and refunds

Division 162—Payment of GST by instalments

1621.....................What this Division is about

Subdivision 162A—Electing to pay GST by instalments

1625..........Eligibility to elect to pay GST by instalments

16210................Your current GST lodgment record

16215...............Electing to pay GST by instalments

16220.....Elections by representative members of GST groups

16225...............When you must make your election

16230......................Duration of your election

Subdivision 162B—Consequences of electing to pay GST by instalments

16250.......................GST instalment payers

16255.............Tax periods for GST instalment payers

16260.When GST returns for GST instalment payers must be given

16265The form and contents of GST returns for GST instalment payers

16270....................Payment of GST instalments

16275...........Giving notices relating to GST instalments

16280..Certain entities pay only 2 GST instalments for each year

16285........A GST instalment payer’s concluding tax period

16290.............The effect of incapacitation or cessation

16295....The effect of changing the membership of GST groups

162100............General interest charge on late payment

162105............Net amounts for GST instalment payers

162110When payments of assessed net amounts must be made—GST instalment payers

Subdivision 162C—GST instalments

162130.................What are your GST instalments

162135...................Notified instalment amounts

162140....................Varied instalment amounts

162145....................Your annual GST liability

Subdivision 162D—Penalty payable in certain cases if varied instalment amounts are too low

162170..................What this Subdivision is about

162175..GST payments are less than 85% of annual GST liability

162180Estimated annual GST amount is less than 85% of annual GST liability

162185Shortfall in GST instalments worked out on the basis of estimated annual GST amount

162190..............Periods for which penalty is payable

162195Reduction in penalties if notified instalment amount is less than 25% of annual GST liability

162200Reduction in penalties if GST instalment shortfall is made up in a later instalment

162205This Subdivision does not create a liability for general interest charge

Division 165—Antiavoidance

1651.....................What this Division is about

Subdivision 165A—Application of this Division

1655.................When does this Division operate?

16510.....................When does an entity get a GST benefit from a scheme?

16515..Matters to be considered in determining purpose or effect

Subdivision 165B—Commissioner may negate effects of schemes for GST benefits

16540Commissioner may make declaration for purpose of negating avoider’s GST benefits

16545Commissioner may reduce an entity’s net amount or GST to compensate

16550..........Declaration has effect according to its terms

16555 Commissioner may disregard scheme in making declarations

16560One declaration may cover several tax periods and importations

16565Commissioner must give copy of declaration to entity affected

Division 168—Tourist refund scheme

1681.....................What this Division is about

1685........................Tourist refund scheme

16810..................Supplies later found to be GSTfree supplies

Division 171—Customs security etc. given on taxable importations

1711.....................What this Division is about

1715...........Security or undertaking given under section 162 or 162A of the Customs Act

Chapter 5—Miscellaneous

Part 51—Miscellaneous

Division 176—Endorsement of charities etc.

1761.............Endorsement by Commissioner as charity

Division 177—Miscellaneous

1771............Commonwealth etc. not liable to pay GST

1773Acquisitions from State or Territory bodies where GST liability is notional

1775...............Cancellation of exemptions from GST

17710.....................Ministerial determinations

17711................Delegation by Aged Care Secretary

17712GST implications of references to price, value etc. in other Acts

17715..............................Regulations

Chapter 6—Interpreting this Act

Part 61—Rules for interpreting this Act

Division 182—Rules for interpreting this Act

1821.....................What forms part of this Act

1825................What does not form part of this Act

18210..Explanatory sections, and their role in interpreting this Act

18215...............................Schedules 1, 2 and 3

Part 62—Meaning of some important concepts

Division 184—Meaning of entity

1841.................................Entities

1845.Supplies etc. by partnerships and other unincorporated bodies

Division 188—Meaning of GST turnover

1881.....................What this Division is about

1885...............Explanation of the turnover thresholds

18810Whether your GST turnover meets, or does not exceed, a turnover threshold

18815........................Current GST turnover

18820......................Projected GST turnover

18822.......Settlements of insurance claims to be disregarded

18823...........Supplies “reverse charged” under Division 83 not to be included in a recipient’s GST turnover

18824...................Supplies to which Subdivision 153B applies

18825Transfer of capital assets, and termination etc. of enterprise, to be disregarded

18830...........................The value of nontaxable supplies

18832..................The value of gambling supplies

18835..........................The value of loans

18840Supplies of employee services by overseas entities to be disregarded for the registration turnover threshold

Division 189—Exceeding the financial acquisitions threshold

1891.....................What this Division is about

1895Exceeding the financial acquisitions threshold—current acquisitions

18910Exceeding the financial acquisitions threshold—future acquisitions

18915.............................Meaning of financial acquisition

Division 190—90% owned groups of companies

1901..........................90% owned groups

1905 When a company has at least a 90% stake in another company

Part 63—Dictionary

Division 195—Dictionary

1951...............................Dictionary

Schedule 1—Food that is not GSTfree

1 Food that is not GSTfree

2 Prepared food, bakery products and biscuit goods

3 Prepared meals

4 Candied peel

5 Goods that are not biscuit goods

Schedule 2—Beverages that are GSTfree

1 Beverages that are GSTfree

2 Tea, coffee etc.

3 Fruit and vegetable juices

Schedule 3—Medical aids and appliances

Endnotes 

Endnote 1—Legislation history

Endnote 2—Amendment history

Endnote 3—Application, saving and transitional provisions

Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 8) 2000 (No. 156, 2000)

Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 3) 2001 (No. 73, 2001)

New Business Tax System (Capital Allowances—Transitional and Consequential) Act 2001 (No. 77, 2001)

Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 5) 2001 (No. 168, 2001)

Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 6) 2001 (No. 169, 2001)

Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 3) 2002 (No. 97, 2002)

Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 6) 2003 (No. 67, 2003)

Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 2) 2004 (No. 20, 2004)

Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 2) Act 2004 (No. 83, 2004)

Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 1) Act 2004 (No. 95, 2004)

Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 1) 2004 (No. 101, 2004)

Tax Laws Amendment (Small Business Measures) Act 2004 (No. 134, 2004)

Tax Laws Amendment (Retirement Villages) Act 2004 (No. 143, 2004)

Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 6) Act 2005 (No. 23, 2005)

Tax Laws Amendment (2004 Measures No. 7) Act 2005 (No. 41, 2005)

Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 1) Act 2005 (No. 77, 2005)

Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005 (No. 78, 2005)

Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 1) Act 2006 (No. 32, 2006)

Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 2) Act 2006 (No. 58, 2006)

Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 3) Act 2006 (No. 80, 2006)

Tax Laws Amendment (Repeal of Inoperative Provisions) Act 2006 (No. 101, 2006)

Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 5) Act 2006 (No. 110, 2006)

Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Act 2007 (No. 56, 2007)

Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 2) Act 2007 (No. 78, 2007)

Tax Laws Amendment (Small Business) Act 2007 (No. 80, 2007)

Tax Laws Amendment (Simplified GST Accounting) Act 2007 (No. 112, 2007)

Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 4) Act 2007 (No. 143, 2007)

Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 5) Act 2008 (No. 145, 2008)

Tax Laws Amendment (2009 Measures No. 5) Act 2009 (No. 118, 2009)

Tax Laws Amendment (2009 Budget Measures No. 2) Act 2009 (No. 133, 2009)

Tax Laws Amendment (2009 GST Administration Measures) Act 2010 (No. 20, 2010)

Tax Laws Amendment (2010 GST Administration Measures No. 1) Act 2010 (No. 21, 2010)

Tax Laws Amendment (2010 GST Administration Measures No. 2) Act 2010 (No. 74, 2010)

Tax Laws Amendment (2010 GST Administration Measures No. 3) Act 2010 (No. 91, 2010)

Tax Laws Amendment (2010 Measures No. 4) Act 2010 (No. 136, 2010)

Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 2) Act 2011 (No. 41, 2011)

Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 3) Act 2011 (No. 51, 2011)

Tax Laws Amendment (2010 Measures No. 5) Act 2011 (No. 61, 2011)

Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 9) Act 2012 (No. 12, 2012)

Indirect Tax Laws Amendment (Assessment) Act 2012 (No. 39, 2012)

Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 1) Act 2012 (No. 75, 2012)

Customs Tariff Amendment (Schedule 4) Act 2012 (No. 138, 2012)

Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 4) Act 2012 (No. 142, 2012)

Australian Charities and Notforprofits Commission (Consequential and Transitional) Act 2012 (No. 169, 2012)

Endnote 4—Uncommenced amendments

Indirect Tax Laws Amendment (Assessment) Act 2012 (No. 39, 2012)

Customs Tariff Amendment (Schedule 4) Act 2012 (No. 138, 2012)

Endnote 5—Misdescribed amendments

An Act about a goods and services tax to implement A New Tax System, and for related purposes

Chapter 1Introduction

Part 11Preliminary

Division 1Preliminary

11  Short title

  This Act may be cited as the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999.

12  Commencement

 (1) This Act commences on 1 July 2000.

13  CommonwealthState financial relations

  The Parliament acknowledges that the Commonwealth:

 (a) will introduce legislation to provide that the revenue from the GST will be granted to the States, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory; and

 (b) will maintain the rate and base of the GST in accordance with the Agreement on Principles for the Reform of CommonwealthState Financial Relations endorsed at the Special Premiers’ Conference in Canberra on 13 November 1998.

14  States and Territories are bound by the GST law

  The *GST law binds the Crown in right of each of the States, of the Australian Capital Territory and of the Northern Territory. However, it does not make the Crown liable to be prosecuted for an offence.

Part 12Using this Act

Division 2Overview of the GST legislation

21  What this Act is about

  This Act is about the GST.

  It begins (in Chapter 2) with the basic rules about the GST, and then sets out in Chapter 3 the exemptions from the GST and in Chapter 4 the special rules that can apply in particular cases.

  It concludes with definitions and other interpretative material.

Note: The GST is imposed by 6 Acts, the most important of which are:

(a) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition—General) Act 1999; and

(b) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition—Customs) Act 1999; and

(c) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition—Excise) Act 1999.

25  The basic rules (Chapter 2)

  Chapter 2 has the basic rules for the GST, including:

  when and how the GST arises, and who is liable to pay it;

  when and how input tax credits arise, and who is entitled to them;

  how to work out payments and refunds of GST;

  when and how the payments and refunds are to be made.

210  The exemptions (Chapter 3)

  Chapter 3 sets out the supplies and importations that are GSTfree or input taxed.

215  The special rules (Chapter 4)

  Chapter 4 has special rules which, in particular cases, have the effect of modifying the basic rules in Chapter 2.

Note: There is a checklist of special rules at the end of Chapter 2 (in Part 28).

220  Miscellaneous (Chapter 5)

  Chapter 5 deals with miscellaneous matters.

225  Interpretative provisions (Chapter 6)

  Chapter 6 contains the Dictionary, which sets out a list of all the terms that are defined in this Act. It also sets out the meanings of some important concepts and rules on how to interpret this Act.

230  Administration, collection and recovery provisions in the Taxation Administration Act 1953

  Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 contains provisions relating to the administration of the GST, and to collection and recovery of amounts of GST.

Division 3Defined terms

 

31  When defined terms are identified

 (1) Many of the terms used in the law relating to the GST are defined.

 (2) Most defined terms in this Act are identified by an asterisk appearing at the start of the term: as in “*enterprise”. The footnote that goes with the asterisk contains a signpost to the Dictionary definitions starting at section 1951.

35  When terms are not identified

 (1) Once a defined term has been identified by an asterisk, later occurrences of the term in the same subsection are not usually asterisked.

 (2) Terms are not asterisked in the nonoperative material contained in this Act.

Note: The nonoperative material is described in Division 4.

 (3) The following basic terms used throughout the Act are not identified with an asterisk.

 

Common definitions that are not asterisked

Item

This term:

1

acquisition

2

amount

3

Australia

4

Commissioner

5

entity

6

goods

7

GST

8

import

8A

individual

9

input tax credit

10

tax period

11

thing

12

supply

13

you

310  Identifying the defined term in a definition

  Within a definition, the defined term is identified by bold italics.

Division 4Status of Guides and other nonoperative material

 

41  Nonoperative material

  In addition to the operative provisions themselves, this Act contains other material to help you identify accurately and quickly the provisions that are relevant to you and to help you understand them.

  This other material falls into 2 main categories.

45  Explanatory sections

  One category is the explanatory section in many Divisions. Under the section heading “What this Division is about”, a short explanation of the Division appears in boxed text.

  Explanatory sections form part of this Act but are not operative provisions. In interpreting an operative provision, explanatory sections may only be considered for limited purposes. They are set out in section 18210.

410  Other material

  The other category consists of material such as notes and examples. These also form part of the Act. They are distinguished by type size from the operative provisions (except for formulas), but are not kept separate from them.

Chapter 2The basic rules

 

Division 5Introduction

51  What this Chapter is about

This Chapter sets out the basic rules for the GST. In particular, these rules will tell you:

 where liability for GST arises;

 where entitlements to input tax credits arise;

 how the amounts of GST and input tax credits are combined to work out the amount payable by you or to you;

 when and how that amount is to be paid.

55  The structure of this Chapter

  The diagram on the next page shows how the basic rules in this Chapter relate to each other. It also shows their relationship with:

  the exemptions (Chapter 3)—these provisions exempt from the GST what would otherwise be taxable; and

  the special rules (Chapter 4)—these provisions modify the basic rules in particular situations, often in quite limited ways.

Part 21The central provisions

Division 7The central provisions

71  GST and input tax credits

 (1) GST is payable on *taxable supplies and *taxable importations.

 (2) Entitlements to input tax credits arise on *creditable acquisitions and *creditable importations.

For taxable supplies and creditable acquisitions, see Part 22.

For taxable importations and creditable importations, see Part 23.

75  Net amounts

  Amounts of GST and amounts of input tax credits are set off against each other to produce a *net amount for a tax period (which may be altered to take account of *adjustments).

For net amounts (including adjustments to net amounts), see Part 24.

710  Tax periods

  Every entity that is *registered, or *required to be registered, has tax periods applying to it.

For registration, see Part 25.

For tax periods, see Part 26.

715  Payments and refunds

  The amount *assessed as being the *net amount for a tax period is the amount that the entity must pay to the Commonwealth, or the Commonwealth must refund to the entity, in respect of the period.

For payments and refunds (and GST returns), see Part 27.

Note 1: For assessment of net amounts, see Division 155 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

Note 2: Refunds may be set off against your other liabilities (if any) under laws administered by the Commissioner.

Part 22Supplies and acquisitions

Division 9Taxable supplies

Table of Subdivisions

9A What are taxable supplies?

9B Who is liable for GST on taxable supplies?

9C How much GST is payable on taxable supplies?

91  What this Division is about

GST is payable on taxable supplies. This Division defines taxable supplies, states who is liable for the GST, and describes how to work out the GST on supplies.

Subdivision 9AWhat are taxable supplies?

95  Taxable supplies

  You make a taxable supply if:

 (a) you make the supply for *consideration; and

 (b) the supply is made in the course or furtherance of an *enterprise that you *carry on; and

 (c) the supply is *connected with Australia; and

 (d) you are *registered, or *required to be registered.

However, the supply is not a *taxable supply to the extent that it is *GSTfree or *input taxed.

910  Meaning of supply

 (1) A supply is any form of supply whatsoever.

 (2) Without limiting subsection (1), supply includes any of these:

 (a) a supply of goods;

 (b) a supply of services;

 (c) a provision of advice or information;

 (d) a grant, assignment or surrender of *real property;

 (e) a creation, grant, transfer, assignment or surrender of any right;

 (f) a *financial supply;

 (g) an entry into, or release from, an obligation:

 (i) to do anything; or

 (ii) to refrain from an act; or

 (iii) to tolerate an act or situation;

 (h) any combination of any 2 or more of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) to (g).

 (3) It does not matter whether it is lawful to do, to refrain from doing or to tolerate the act or situation constituting the supply.

 (3A) For the avoidance of doubt, the delivery of:

 (a) livestock for slaughtering or processing into *food; or

 (b) game for processing into *food;

under an arrangement under which the entity making the delivery only relinquishes title after food has been produced, is the supply of the livestock or game (regardless of when the entity relinquishes title). The supply does not take place on or after the subsequent relinquishment of title.

 (4) However, a supply does not include a supply of *money unless the money is provided as *consideration for a supply that is a supply of money.

915  Consideration

 (1) Consideration includes:

 (a) any payment, or any act or forbearance, in connection with a supply of anything; and

 (b) any payment, or any act or forbearance, in response to or for the inducement of a supply of anything.

 (2) It does not matter whether the payment, act or forbearance was voluntary, or whether it was by the *recipient of the supply.

 (2A) It does not matter:

 (a) whether the payment, act or forbearance was in compliance with an order of a court, or of a tribunal or other body that has the power to make orders; or

 (b) whether the payment, act or forbearance was in compliance with a settlement relating to proceedings before a court, or before a tribunal or other body that has the power to make orders.

 (2B) For the avoidance of doubt, the fact that the supplier is an entity of which the *recipient of the supply is a member, or that the supplier is an entity that only makes supplies to its members, does not prevent the payment, act or forbearance from being consideration.

917  Certain payments and other things not consideration

 (1) If a right or option to acquire a thing is granted, then:

 (a) the consideration for the supply of the thing on the exercise of the right or option is limited to any additional consideration provided either for the supply or in connection with the exercise of the right or option; or

 (b) if there is no such additional consideration—there is no consideration for the supply.

 (2) Making a gift to a nonprofit body is not the provision of consideration.

 (3) A payment is not the provision of consideration if:

 (a) the payment is made by a *government related entity to another government related entity for making a supply; and

 (b) the payment is:

 (i) covered by an appropriation under an *Australian law; or

 (ii) made under the National Health Reform Agreement agreed to by the Council of Australian Governments on 2 August 2011, as amended from time to time; or

 (iii) made under another agreement entered into to implement the National Health Reform Agreement; and

 (c) the payment is calculated on the basis that the sum of:

 (i) the payment (including the amounts of any other such payments) relating to the supply; and

 (ii) anything (including any payment for any act or forbearance) that the other government related entity receives from another entity in connection with, or in response to, or for the inducement of, the supply, or for any other related supply;

  does not exceed the supplier’s anticipated or actual costs of making those supplies.

 (4) A payment is not the provision of consideration if the payment is made by a *government related entity to another government related entity and the payment is of a kind specified in regulations made for the purposes of this subsection.

 (5) This section applies despite section 915.

920  Enterprises

 (1) An enterprise is an activity, or series of activities, done:

 (a) in the form of a *business; or

 (b) in the form of an adventure or concern in the nature of trade; or

 (c) on a regular or continuous basis, in the form of a lease, licence or other grant of an interest in property; or

 (d) by the trustee of a fund that is covered by, or by an authority or institution that is covered by, Subdivision 30B of the *ITAA 1997 and to which deductible gifts can be made; or

 (da) by a trustee of a *complying superannuation fund or, if there is no trustee of the fund, by a person who manages the fund; or

 (e) by a charity; or

 (g) by the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory, or by a body corporate, or corporation sole, established for a public purpose by or under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or

 (h) by a trustee of a fund covered by item 2 of the table in section 3015 of the ITAA 1997 or of a fund that would be covered by that item if it had an ABN.

 (2) However, enterprise does not include an activity, or series of activities, done:

 (a) by a person as an employee or in connection with earning *withholding payments covered by subsection (4) (unless the activity or series is done in supplying services as the holder of an office that the person has accepted in the course of or in connection with an activity or series of activities of a kind mentioned in subsection (1)); or

Note: Acts done as mentioned in paragraph (a) will still form part of the activities of the enterprise to which the person provides work or services.

 (b) as a private recreational pursuit or hobby; or

 (c) by an individual (other than a trustee of a charitable fund, or of a fund covered by item 2 of the table in section 3015 of the ITAA 1997 or of a fund that would be covered by that item if it had an ABN), or a *partnership (all or most of the members of which are individuals), without a reasonable expectation of profit or gain; or

 (d) as a member of a local governing body established by or under a *State law or *Territory law (except a local governing body to which paragraph 1245(1)(e) in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 applies).

 (3) For the avoidance of doubt, the fact that activities of an entity are limited to making supplies to members of the entity does not prevent those activities:

 (a) being in the form of a *business within the meaning of paragraph (1)(a); or

 (b) being in the form of an adventure or concern in the nature of trade within the meaning of paragraph (1)(b).

 (4) This subsection covers a *withholding payment covered by any of the provisions in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 listed in the table.

 

Withholding payments covered

Item

Provision

Subject matter

1

Section 1235

Payment to employee

2

Section 1240

Payment to company director

3

Section 1245

Payment to office holder

4

Section 1260

Payment under labour hire arrangement, or specified by regulations

925  Supplies connected with Australia

Supplies of goods wholly within Australia

 (1) A supply of goods is connected with Australia if the goods are delivered, or made available, in Australia to the *recipient of the supply.

Supplies of goods from Australia

 (2) A supply of goods that involves the goods being removed from Australia is connected with Australia.

Supplies of goods to Australia

 (3) A supply of goods that involves the goods being brought to Australia is connected with Australia if the supplier either:

 (a) imports the goods into Australia; or

 (b) installs or assembles the goods in Australia.

Supplies of real property

 (4) A supply of *real property is connected with Australia if the real property, or the land to which the real property relates, is in Australia.

Supplies of anything else

 (5) A supply of anything other than goods or *real property is connected with Australia if:

 (a) the thing is done in Australia; or

 (b) the supplier makes the supply through an *enterprise that the supplier *carries on in Australia; or

 (c) all of the following apply:

 (i) neither paragraph (a) nor (b) applies in respect of the thing;

 (ii) the thing is a right or option to acquire another thing;

 (iii) the supply of the other thing would be connected with Australia.

Example: A holiday package for Australia that is supplied overseas might be connected with Australia under paragraph (5)(c).

When enterprises are carried on in Australia

 (6) An *enterprise is carried on in Australia if the enterprise is carried on through:

 (a) a permanent establishment (as defined in subsection 6(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936); or

 (b) a place that would be such a permanent establishment if paragraph (e), (f) or (g) of that definition did not apply.

930  Supplies that are GSTfree or input taxed

GSTfree

 (1) A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is GSTfree under Division 38 or under a provision of another Act; or

 (b) it is a supply of a right to receive a supply that would be GSTfree under paragraph (a).

Input taxed

 (2) A supply is input taxed if:

 (a) it is input taxed under Division 40 or under a provision of another Act; or

 (b) it is a supply of a right to receive a supply that would be input taxed under paragraph (a).

Note: If a supply is input taxed, there is no entitlement to an input tax credit for the things that are acquired or imported to make the supply (see sections 1115 and 1510).

Supplies that would be both GSTfree and input taxed

 (3) To the extent that a supply would, apart from this subsection, be both *GSTfree and *input taxed:

 (a) the supply is GSTfree and not input taxed, unless the provision under which it is input taxed requires the supplier to have chosen for its supplies of that kind to be input taxed; or

 (b) the supply is input taxed and not GSTfree, if that provision requires the supplier to have so chosen.

Note: Subdivisions 40E (School tuckshops and canteens) and 40F (Fundraising events conducted by charities etc.) require such a choice.)

Supply of things used solely in connection with making supplies that are input taxed but not financial supplies

 (4) A supply is taken to be a supply that is *input taxed if it is a supply of anything (other than *new residential premises) that you have used solely in connection with your supplies that are input taxed but are not *financial supplies.

939  Special rules relating to taxable supplies

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to taxable supplies, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1A

Agents and insurance brokers

Division 153

1

Associates

Division 72

2

Cancelled layby sales

Division 102

3

Company amalgamations

Division 90

3A

Compulsory third party schemes

Division 79

4

Deposits as security

Division 99

5

Gambling

Division 126

5A

GST religious groups

Division 49

6

Insurance

Division 78

7

Offshore supplies other than goods or real property

Division 84

8

Payments of taxes, fees and charges

Division 81

8A

Secondhand goods

Division 66

8B

Settlement sharing arrangements

Division 80

9

Supplies and acquisitions made on a progressive or periodic basis

Division 156

9A

Supplies in return for rights to develop land

Division 82

10

Supplies in satisfaction of debts

Division 105

11

Supplies partly connected with Australia

Division 96

12

Supply under arrangement covered by PAYG voluntary agreement

Division 113

12A

Taxrelated transactions

Division 110

13

Telecommunication supplies

Division 85

14

Vouchers

Division 100

Subdivision 9BWho is liable for GST on taxable supplies?

940  Liability for GST on taxable supplies

  You must pay the GST payable on any *taxable supply that you make.

969  Special rules relating to liability for GST on taxable supplies

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to liability for GST on taxable supplies, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

 

Item

For this case ...

See:

1

Company amalgamations

Division 90

2

GST groups

Division 48

3

GST joint ventures

Division 51

4

Offshore supplies other than goods or real property

Division 84

4A

Nonresidents making supplies connected with Australia

Division 83

4B

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

5

Resident agents acting for nonresidents

Division 57

Subdivision 9CHow much GST is payable on taxable supplies?

970  The amount of GST on taxable supplies

  The amount of GST on a *taxable supply is 10% of the *value of the taxable supply.

975  The value of taxable supplies

 (1) The value of a *taxable supply is as follows:

where:

price is the sum of:

 (a) so far as the *consideration for the supply is consideration expressed as an amount of *money—the amount (without any discount for the amount of GST (if any) payable on the supply); and

 (b) so far as the consideration is not consideration expressed as an amount of money—the *GST inclusive market value of that consideration.

Example: You make a taxable supply by selling a car for $22,000 in the course of carrying on an enterprise.

 The value of the supply is:

 

 The GST on the supply is therefore $2,000 (i.e. 10% of $20,000).

 (2) However, if the taxable supply is of a *luxury car, the value of the taxable supply is as follows:

where:

luxury car tax value has the meaning given by section 520 of the A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax) Act 1999.

 (3) In working out under subsection (1) the value of a *taxable supply made in a *tax period, being a supply that is a *fringe benefit, the price is taken to be the sum of:

 (a) to the extent that, apart from this subsection, paragraph(a) of the definition of price in subsection (1) would be applicable:

 (i) if the fringe benefit is a car fringe benefit—so much of the amount that would be worked out under that paragraph as represented the *recipient’s payment made in that period; or

 (ii) if the fringe benefit is a benefit other than a car fringe benefit—so much of the amount that would be worked out under that paragraph as represented the *recipients contribution made in that period; and

 (b) to the extent that, apart from this subsection, paragraph(b) of the definition of price in subsection (1) would be applicable:

 (i) if the fringe benefit is a car fringe benefit—so much of the amount that would be worked out under that paragraph as represented the recipient’s payment made in that period; or

 (ii) if the fringe benefit is a benefit other than a car fringe benefit—so much of the amount that would be worked out under that paragraph as represented the recipients contribution made in that period.

980  The value of taxable supplies that are partly GSTfree or input taxed

 (1) If a supply (the actual supply) is:

 (a) partly a *taxable supply; and

 (b) partly a supply that is *GSTfree or *input taxed;

the value of the part of the actual supply that is a taxable supply is the proportion of the value of the actual supply that the taxable supply represents.

 (2) The value of the actual supply, for the purposes of subsection (1), is as follows:

where:

taxable proportion is the proportion of the value of the actual supply that represents the value of the *taxable supply (expressed as a number between 0 and 1).

985  Value of taxable supplies to be expressed in Australian currency

 (1) For the purposes of this Act, the *value of a *taxable supply is to be expressed in Australian currency.

 (2) In working out the *value of a *taxable supply, any amount of the *consideration for the supply that is expressed in a currency other than Australian currency is to be treated as if it were an amount of Australian currency worked out in the manner determined by the Commissioner.

990  Rounding of amounts of GST

One taxable supply recorded on an invoice

 (1) If the amount of GST on a *taxable supply that is the only taxable supply recorded on a particular *invoice would, apart from this section, be an amount that includes a fraction of a cent, the amount of GST is rounded to the nearest cent (rounding 0.5 cents upwards).

Several taxable supplies recorded on an invoice

 (2) If 2 or more *taxable supplies are recorded on the same *invoice, the total amount of GST on the supplies is:

 (a) what would be the amount of GST if it were worked out by:

 (i) working out the GST on each of the supplies (without rounding the amounts to the nearest cent); and

 (ii) adding the amounts together and, if the total is an amount that includes a fraction of a cent, rounding it to the nearest cent (rounding 0.5 cents upwards); or

 (b) the amount worked out using the following method statement:

Method statement

Step 1. Work out, for each *taxable supply, what would, apart from this section, be the amount of GST on the supply.

Step 2. If the amount for the supply has more decimal places than the number of decimal places allowed by the accounting system used to work out the amount, round the amount (up or down as appropriate) to that number of decimal places.

 Note: Subsection (4) gives further details of this rounding.

Step 3. Work out the sum of the amounts worked out under step 1 and (if applicable) step 2 for each supply.

Step 4. If the sum under step 3 includes a fraction of a cent, round the sum to the nearest cent (rounding 0.5 cents upwards).

 (3) Whether to use paragraph (2)(a) or paragraph (2)(b) to work out the total amount of GST on the supplies is a matter of choice for:

 (a) the supplier if the amount is being worked out to ascertain the supplier’s liability for GST; or

 (b) the *recipient of the supplies if the amount is being worked out to ascertain the recipient’s entitlement to input tax credits.

 (4) In applying step 2 of the method statement in subsection (2), if:

 (a) the number of decimal places in the amount for the supply exceeds by one decimal place the number of decimal places allowed by the accounting system used to work out the amount; and

 (b) the last digit of the amount (before rounding) is 5;

the amount is rounded upwards to that number of decimal places.

Taxable supplies divided into items

 (5) If one or more *taxable supplies recorded on the same *invoice are divided into 2 or more items:

 (a) subsection (1) does not apply; and

 (b) subsection (2) applies as if each such item represented a separate taxable supply.

Taxable supplies recorded on documents other than invoices

 (6) If one or more *taxable supplies, none of which are recorded on an *invoice, are recorded on a document that is not an invoice, this section applies as if the document were an invoice.

999  Special rules relating to the amount of GST on taxable supplies

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to the amount of GST on taxable supplies, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1A

Agents and insurance brokers

Division 153

1

Associates

Division 72

2

Company amalgamations

Division 90

2A

Compulsory third party schemes

Division 79

3

Gambling

Division 126

4

Longterm accommodation in commercial residential premises

Division 87

4AA

Nonresidents making supplies connected with Australia

Division 83

4A

Offshore supplies other than goods or real property

Division 84

5

Sale of freehold interests etc.

Division 75

7

Supplies partly connected with Australia

Division 96

8

Transactions relating to insurance policies

Division 78

9

Valuation of taxable supplies of goods in bond

Division 108

Note: There are other laws that may affect the amount of GST on taxable supplies. For example, see subsection 35760(3) in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (about the effect of rulings made under Part 55 in that Schedule).

Division 11Creditable acquisitions

111  What this Division is about

You are entitled to input tax credits for your creditable acquisitions. This Division defines creditable acquisitions, states who is entitled to the input tax credits and describes how to work out the input tax credits on acquisitions.

115  What is a creditable acquisition?

  You make a creditable acquisition if:

 (a) you acquire anything solely or partly for a *creditable purpose; and

 (b) the supply of the thing to you is a *taxable supply; and

 (c) you provide, or are liable to provide, *consideration for the supply; and

 (d) you are *registered, or *required to be registered.

1110  Meaning of acquisition

 (1) An acquisition is any form of acquisition whatsoever.

 (2) Without limiting subsection (1), acquisition includes any of these:

 (a) an acquisition of goods;

 (b) an acquisition of services;

 (c) a receipt of advice or information;

 (d) an acceptance of a grant, assignment or surrender of *real property;

 (e) an acceptance of a grant, transfer, assignment or surrender of any right;

 (f) an acquisition of something the supply of which is a *financial supply;

 (g) an acquisition of a right to require another person:

 (i) to do anything; or

 (ii) to refrain from an act; or

 (iii) to tolerate an act or situation;

 (h) any combination of any 2 or more of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) to (g).

 (3) However, an acquisition does not include an acquisition of *money unless the money is provided as *consideration for a supply that is a supply of money.

1115  Meaning of creditable purpose

 (1) You acquire a thing for a creditable purpose to the extent that you acquire it in *carrying on your *enterprise.

 (2) However, you do not acquire the thing for a creditable purpose to the extent that:

 (a) the acquisition relates to making supplies that would be *input taxed; or

 (b) the acquisition is of a private or domestic nature.

 (3) An acquisition is not treated, for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), as relating to making supplies that would be *input taxed to the extent that the supply is made through an *enterprise, or a part of an enterprise, that you *carry on outside Australia.

 (4) An acquisition is not treated, for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), as relating to making supplies that would be *input taxed if:

 (a) the only reason it would (apart from this subsection) be so treated is because it relates to making *financial supplies; and

 (b) you do not *exceed the financial acquisitions threshold.

 (5) An acquisition is not treated, for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), as relating to making supplies that would be *input taxed to the extent that:

 (a) the acquisition relates to making a *financial supply consisting of a borrowing (other than through a *deposit account you make available); and

 (b) the borrowing relates to you making supplies that are not input taxed.

1120  Who is entitled to input tax credits for creditable acquisitions?

  You are entitled to the input tax credit for any *creditable acquisition that you make.

1125  How much are the input tax credits for creditable acquisitions?

  The amount of the input tax credit for a *creditable acquisition is an amount equal to the GST payable on the supply of the thing acquired. However, the amount of the input tax credit is reduced if the acquisition is only *partly creditable.

Note: The basic rule for working out the GST payable on the supply is in Subdivision 9C. However, the GST payable may be affected by other provisions in:

(a) this Act (for a list of provisions, see section 999); and

(b) other GST laws (for example, see subsection 35760(3) in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (about the effect of rulings made under Part 55 in that Schedule)).

1130  Acquisitions that are partly creditable

 (1) An acquisition that you make is partly creditable if it is a *creditable acquisition to which one or both of the following apply:

 (a) you make the acquisition only partly for a *creditable purpose;

 (b) you provide, or are liable to provide, only part of the *consideration for the acquisition.

 (3) The amount of the input tax credit on an acquisition that you make that is *partly creditable is as follows:

where:

extent of consideration is the extent to which you provide, or are liable to provide, the *consideration for the acquisition, expressed as a percentage of the total consideration for the acquisition.

extent of creditable purpose is the extent to which the *creditable acquisition is for a *creditable purpose, expressed as a percentage of the total purpose of the acquisition.

full input tax credit is what would have been the amount of the input tax credit for the acquisition if it had been made solely for a creditable purpose and you had provided, or had been liable to provide, all of the consideration for the acquisition.

 (4) For the purpose of working out the extent of the *consideration, so far as the consideration is not expressed as an amount of *money, take into account the *GST inclusive market value of the consideration.

 (5) The Commissioner may determine, in writing, one or more ways in which to work out, for the purpose of subsection (3), the extent to which a *creditable acquisition is for a *creditable purpose.

1199  Special rules relating to acquisitions

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to acquisitions, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1A

Agents and insurance brokers

Division 153

1B

Annual apportionment of creditable purpose

Division 131

1

Associates

Division 72

2

Company amalgamations

Division 90

2A

Compulsory third party schemes

Division 79

3

Financial supplies (reduced credit acquisitions)

Division 70

3A

Fringe benefits provided by input taxed suppliers

Division 71

4

Gambling

Division 126

5

GST groups

Division 48

6

GST joint ventures

Division 51

6A

GST religious groups

Division 49

7

Insurance

Division 78

8

Nondeductible expenses

Division 69

8A

Offshore supplies other than goods or real property

Division 84

9

Preestablishment costs

Division 60

10

Reimbursement of employees etc.

Division 111

10A

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

11

Resident agents acting for nonresidents

Division 57

13

Sale of freehold interests etc.

Division 75

14

Secondhand goods

Division 66

15

Settlement sharing arrangements

Division 80

16

Time limit on entitlements to input tax credits

Division 93

Part 23Importations

Division 13Taxable importations

131  What this Division is about

GST is payable on taxable importations. This Division defines taxable importations, states who is liable for the GST and describes how to work out the GST on importations.

Note 1: This Division applies whether or not you are registered.

Note 2: Things other than goods that are supplied overseas for use in Australia (and are therefore in that sense “imported”) are not taxable importations, but they can attract GST under Division 84.

135  What are taxable importations?

 (1) You make a taxable importation if:

 (a) goods are imported; and

 (b) you enter the goods for home consumption (within the meaning of the Customs Act 1901).

However, the importation is not a taxable importation to the extent that it is a *nontaxable importation.

Note: There is no registration requirement for taxable importations, and the importer need not be carrying on an enterprise.

 (3) However, an importation of *money is not an importation of goods into Australia.

1310  Meaning of nontaxable importation

  An importation is a nontaxable importation if:

 (a) it is a nontaxable importation under Part 32; or

 (b) it would have been a supply that was *GSTfree or *input taxed if it had been a supply.

1315  Who is liable for GST on taxable importations?

  You must pay the GST payable on any *taxable importation that you make.

1320  How much GST is payable on taxable importations?

 (1) The amount of GST on the *taxable importation is 10% of the *value of the taxable importation.

 (2) The value of a *taxable importation is the sum of:

 (a) the *customs value of the goods imported; and

 (b) the amount paid or payable:

 (i) for the *international transport of the goods to their *place of consignment in Australia; and

 (ii) to insure the goods for that transport;

  to the extent that the amount is not already included under paragraph (a); and

 (ba) the amount paid or payable for a supply to which item 5A in the table in subsection 38355(1) applies, to the extent that the amount:

 (i) is not an amount, the payment of which (or the discharging of a liability to make a payment of which), because of Division 81 or regulations made under that Division, is not the provision of *consideration; and

Note: Division 81 excludes certain taxes, fees and charges from the provision of consideration.

 (ii) is not already included under paragraph (a) or (b); and

 (c) any *customs duty payable in respect of the importation of the goods; and

 (d) any *wine tax payable in respect of the *local entry of the goods.

 (2A) If an amount to be taken into account under paragraph (2)(b) or (ba) is not an amount in Australian currency, the amount so taken into account is the equivalent in Australian currency of that amount, ascertained in the way provided in section 161J of the Customs Act 1901.

 (3) The Commissioner may, in writing:

 (a) determine the way in which the amount paid or payable for a specified kind of transport or insurance is to be worked out for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b); and

 (b) determine the way in which the amount paid or payable for a specified kind of supply referred to in paragraph (2)(ba) is to be worked out for the purposes of that paragraph; and

 (c) in relation to importations of a specified kind or importations to which specified circumstances apply—determine that:

 (i) the amount paid or payable for a specified kind of transport or insurance is taken, for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), to be zero; or

 (ii) the amount paid or payable for a specified kind of supply referred to in paragraph (2)(ba) is taken, for the purposes of that paragraph, to be zero.

1325  The value of taxable importations that are partly nontaxable importations

  If an importation (the actual importation) is:

 (a) partly a *taxable importation; and

 (b)  partly a *nontaxable importation;

the value of the part of the actual importation that is a taxable importation is the proportion of the value of the actual importation (worked out as if it were solely a taxable importation) that the taxable importation represents.

1399  Special rules relating to taxable importations

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to taxable importations, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1

GST groups

Division 48

2

GST joint ventures

Division 51

3

Importations without entry for home consumption

Division 114

4

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

5

Resident agents acting for nonresidents

Division 57

6

Valuation of reimported goods

Division 117

Note: There are other laws that may affect the amount of GST on taxable importations. For example, see subsection 35760(3) in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (about the effect of rulings made under Part 55 in that Schedule).

Division 15Creditable importations

151  What this Division is about

You are entitled to input tax credits for your creditable importations. This Division defines creditable importations, states who is entitled to the input tax credits and describes how to work out the input tax credits on importations.

155  What are creditable importations?

  You make a creditable importation if:

 (a) you import goods solely or partly for a *creditable purpose; and

 (b) the importation is a *taxable importation; and

 (c) you are *registered, or *required to be registered.

1510  Meaning of creditable purpose

 (1) You import goods for a creditable purpose to the extent that you import the goods in *carrying on your *enterprise.

 (2) However, you do not import the goods for a creditable purpose to the extent that:

 (a) the importation relates to making supplies that would be *input taxed; or

 (b) the importation is of a private or domestic nature.

 (3) An importation is not treated, for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), as relating to making supplies that would be *input taxed to the extent that the supply is made through an *enterprise, or a part of an enterprise, that you *carry on outside Australia.

 (4) An importation is not treated, for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), as relating to making supplies that would be *input taxed if:

 (a) the only reason it would (apart from this subsection) be so treated is because it relates to making *financial supplies; and

 (b) you do not *exceed the financial acquisitions threshold.

 (5) An importation is not treated, for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), as relating to making supplies that would be *input taxed to the extent that:

 (a) the importation relates to making a *financial supply consisting of a borrowing; and

 (b) the borrowing relates to you making supplies that are not input taxed.

1515  Who is entitled to input tax credits for creditable importations?

  You are entitled to the input tax credit for any *creditable importation that you make.

1520  How much are the input tax credits for creditable importations?

  The amount of input tax credit for a *creditable importation is an amount equal to the GST payable on the importation. However, the amount of the input tax credit is reduced if the importation is only *partly creditable.

Note: The basic rule for working out the GST payable on the importation is in section 1320. However, the GST payable may be affected by other provisions in:

(a) this Act (for a list of provisions, see section 1399); and

(b) other GST laws (for example, see subsection 35760(3) in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (about the effect of rulings made under Part 55 in that Schedule)).

1525  Importations that are partly creditable

 (1) An importation that you make is partly creditable if it is a *creditable importation that you make only partly for a *creditable purpose.

 (3) The amount of the input tax credit on an importation that you make that is *partly creditable is as follows:

where:

extent of creditable purpose is the extent to which the importation is for a *creditable purpose, expressed as a percentage of the total purpose of the importation.

full input tax credit is what would have been the amount of the input tax credit for the importation if it had been made solely for a creditable purpose.

 (4) The Commissioner may determine, in writing, one or more ways in which to work out, for the purpose of subsection (3), the extent to which an importation is for a *creditable purpose.

1599  Special rules relating to creditable importations

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to creditable importations, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1AA

Annual apportionment of creditable purpose

Division 131

1A

Fringe benefits provided by input taxed suppliers

Division 71

1

GST groups

Division 48

2

GST joint ventures

Division 51

2AA

Importations without entry for home consumption

Division 114

2A

Nondeductible expenses

Division 69

3

Preestablishment costs

Division 60

3A

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

4

Resident agents acting for nonresidents

Division 57

Part 24Net amounts and adjustments

Division 17Net amounts and adjustments

171  What this Division is about

A net amount is worked out for each tax period that applies to you.

Adjustments can be made to the net amount. Increasing adjustments increase your net amount, and decreasing adjustments decrease your net amount.

Note: GST on taxable importations is not included in the net amount. It is dealt with separately under section 3315.

175  Net amounts

 (1) The net amount for a tax period applying to you is worked out using the following formula:

where:

GST is the sum of all of the GST for which you are liable on the *taxable supplies that are attributable to the tax period.

input tax credits is the sum of all of the input tax credits to which you are entitled for the *creditable acquisitions and *creditable importations that are attributable to the tax period.

For the basic rules on what is attributable to a particular period, see Division 29.

 (2) However, the *net amount for the tax period:

 (a) may be increased or decreased if you have any *adjustments for the tax period; and

 (b) may be increased or decreased under Subdivision 21A of the *Wine Tax Act; and

 (c) may be increased or decreased under Subdivision 13A of the A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax) Act 1999.

Note 1: Under Subdivision 21A of the Wine Tax Act, amounts of wine tax increase the net amount, and amounts of wine tax credits reduce the net amount.

Note 2: Under Subdivision 13A of the A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax) Act 1999, amounts of luxury car tax increase the net amount, and luxury car tax adjustments alter the net amount.

1710  Adjustments

  If you have any *adjustments that are attributable to a tax period applying to you, alter your *net amount for the period as follows:

 (a) add to the amount worked out under subsection 175(1) for the period the sum of all the *increasing adjustments (if any) that are attributable to the period;

 (b) subtract from that amount the sum of all the *decreasing adjustments (if any) that are attributable to the period.

For the basic rules on what adjustments are attributable to a particular period, see Division 29.

1715  Working out net amounts using approved forms

 (1) You may choose to work out your *net amount for a tax period in the way specified in an *approved form if you use the form to notify the Commissioner of that net amount. The amount so worked out is treated as your net amount for the tax period.

Note: Choosing to use section 175 to work out your net amount does not mean your GST return is not in the approved form: see subsection 3115(3).

 (2) This section has effect despite section 175.

1720  Determinations relating to how to work out net amounts

 (1) The Commissioner may make a determination that, in the circumstances specified in the determination, a *net amount for a tax period may be worked out to take account of other matters in the way specified in the determination.

 (2) The matters must relate to correction of errors:

 (a) that were made in working out *net amounts to which subsection (2A) applies; and

 (b) that do not relate to amounts:

 (i) that have ceased to be payable by you because of section 10550 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953; or

 (ii) to which, because of section 10555 in that Schedule, you are not entitled.

Note: Paragraph (2)(b) will be repealed on 1 January 2017: see Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Indirect Tax Laws Amendment (Assessment) Act 2012.

 (2A) This subsection applies to a *net amount for a tax period (the earlier tax period) if:

 (a) the earlier tax period precedes the tax period mentioned in subsection (1); and

 (b) if the earlier tax period started on or after 1 July 2012—the tax period mentioned in subsection (1) starts during the *period of review for the *assessment of the *net amount.

 (3) If those circumstances apply in relation to a tax period applying to you, you may work out your *net amount for the tax period in that way.

1799  Special rules relating to net amounts or adjustments

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to net amounts or adjustments, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1A

Annual apportionment of creditable purpose

Division 131

1

Antiavoidance

Division 165

2

Cessation of registration

Division 138

3

Changes in the extent of creditable purpose

Division 129

4

Company amalgamations

Division 90

4AA

Compulsory third party schemes

Division 79

4A

Distributions from deceased estates

Division 139

5

Gambling

Division 126

5A

Goods applied solely to private or domestic use

Division 130

6

GST branches

Division 54

7

GST groups

Division 48

8

GST joint ventures

Division 51

8A

GST religious groups

Division 49

9

Insurance

Division 78

9AA

Nondeductible expenses

Division 69

9A

Nonprofit subentities

Division 63

9B

Payment of GST by instalments

Division 162

9C

Providing additional consideration under grossup clauses

Division 133

10

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

11

Resident agents acting for nonresidents

Division 57

11A

Sale of freehold interests etc.

Division 75

12

Secondhand goods

Division 66

12AA

Settlement sharing arrangements

Division 80

12A

Simplified accounting methods for retailers and small enterprise entities

Division 123

12B

Stock on hand on becoming registered etc.

Division 137

13

Supplies in satisfaction of debts

Division 105

14

Supplies of going concerns

Division 135

15

Supplies of things acquired etc. without full input tax credits

Division 132

15A

Third party payments

Division 134

16

Tradex scheme goods

Division 141

17

Vouchers

Division 100

Division 19Adjustment events

Table of Subdivisions

19A Adjustment events

19B Adjustments for supplies

19C Adjustments for acquisitions

191  What this Division is about

Adjustments can arise because of adjustment events. They are events such as a cancellation of a supply or acquisition, or a change in the consideration for a supply or acquisition (for example, because of a volume discount).

Note: Importations do not give rise to adjustment events.

195  Explanation of the effect of adjustment events

  The following diagram shows how an *adjustment event for a supply or acquisition can give rise to an *increasing adjustment or a *decreasing adjustment.

 

 

Note: This section is an explanatory section.

Subdivision 19AAdjustment events

1910  Adjustment events

 (1) An adjustment event is any event which has the effect of:

 (a) cancelling a supply or acquisition; or

 (b) changing the *consideration for a supply or acquisition; or

 (c) causing a supply or acquisition to become, or stop being, a *taxable supply or *creditable acquisition.

Example: If goods that are supplied for export are not exported within the time provided in section 38185, the supply is likely to become a taxable supply after originally being a supply that was GSTfree.

 (2) Without limiting subsection (1), these are *adjustment events:

 (a) the return to a supplier of a thing, or part of a thing, supplied (whether or not the return involves a change of ownership of the thing);

 (b) a change to the previously agreed *consideration for a supply or acquisition, whether due to the offer of a discount or otherwise;

 (c) a change in the extent to which an entity that makes an acquisition provides, or is liable to provide, consideration for the acquisition (unless the entity *accounts on a cash basis).

 (3) An *adjustment event:

 (a) can arise in relation to a supply even if it is not a *taxable supply; and

 (b) can arise in relation to an acquisition even if it is not a *creditable acquisition.

 (4) However, the return of a thing supplied, or part of a thing supplied, to its supplier is not an *adjustment event if the return is for the purpose of repair or maintenance.

Subdivision 19BAdjustments for supplies

1940  Where adjustments for supplies arise

  You have an adjustment for a supply for which you are liable to pay GST (or would be liable to pay GST if it were a *taxable supply) if:

 (a) in relation to the supply, one or more *adjustment events occur during a tax period; and

 (b) GST on the supply was attributable to an earlier tax period (or, if the supply was not a taxable supply, would have been attributable to an earlier tax period had the supply been a taxable supply); and

 (c) as a result of those adjustment events, the *previously attributed GST amount for the supply (if any) no longer correctly reflects the amount of GST (if any) on the supply (the corrected GST amount), taking into account any change of circumstances that has given rise to an adjustment for the supply under this Subdivision or Division 21 or 134.

1945  Previously attributed GST amounts

  The previously attributed GST amount for a supply is:

 (a) the amount of any GST that was attributable to a tax period in respect of the supply; plus

 (b) the sum of any *increasing adjustments, under this Subdivision or Division 21, that were previously attributable to a tax period in respect of the supply; minus

 (c) the sum of any *decreasing adjustments, under this Subdivision or Division 21 or 134, that were previously attributable to a tax period in respect of the supply.

1950  Increasing adjustments for supplies

  If the *corrected GST amount is greater than the *previously attributed GST amount, you have an increasing adjustment equal to the difference between the corrected GST amount and the previously attributed GST amount.

1955  Decreasing adjustments for supplies

  If the *corrected GST amount is less than the *previously attributed GST amount, you have a decreasing adjustment equal to the difference between the previously attributed GST amount and the corrected GST amount.

Subdivision 19CAdjustments for acquisitions

1970  Where adjustments for acquisitions arise

 (1) You have an adjustment for an acquisition for which you are entitled to an input tax credit (or would be entitled to an input tax credit if the acquisition were a *creditable acquisition) if:

 (a) in relation to the acquisition, one or more *adjustment events occur during a tax period; and

 (b) an input tax credit on the acquisition was attributable to an earlier tax period (or, if the acquisition was not a creditable acquisition, would have been attributable to an earlier tax period had the acquisition been a creditable acquisition); and

 (c) as a result of those adjustment events, the *previously attributed input tax credit amount for the acquisition (if any) no longer correctly reflects the amount of the input tax credit (if any) on the acquisition (the corrected input tax credit amount).

 (2) In working out the *corrected input tax credit amount for the acquisition:

 (a) take into account any change of circumstances that has given rise to an adjustment for the acquisition under this Subdivision or Division 21, 129, 133 or 134; and

 (b) if an adjustment relating to the acquisition under Division 131 was attributable to an earlier tax period:

 (i) do not take into account that adjustment; and

 (ii) treat the acquisition as one in relation to which Division 131 had not applied.

1975  Previously attributed input tax credit amounts

  The previously attributed input tax credit amount for an acquisition is:

 (a) the amount of any input tax credit that was attributable to a tax period in respect of the acquisition; minus

 (b) the sum of any *increasing adjustments, under this Subdivision or Division 21, 129, 131 or 134, that were previously attributable to a tax period in respect of the acquisition; plus

 (c) the sum of any *decreasing adjustments, under this Subdivision or Division 21, 129 or 133, that were previously attributable to a tax period in respect of the acquisition.

1980  Increasing adjustments for acquisitions

  If the *previously attributed input tax credit amount is greater than the *corrected input tax credit amount, you have an increasing adjustment equal to the difference between the previously attributed input tax credit amount and the corrected input tax credit amount.

1985  Decreasing adjustments for acquisitions

  If the *previously attributed input tax credit amount is less than the *corrected input tax credit amount, you have a decreasing adjustment equal to the difference between the corrected input tax credit amount and the previously attributed input tax credit amount.

1999  Special rules relating to adjustment events

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to *adjustment events in particular cases, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1AA

Compulsory third party schemes

Division 79

1A

GST religious groups

Division 49

1

Insurance

Division 78

2

Nondeductible expenses

Division 69

2A

Providing additional consideration under grossup clauses

Division 133

3

Settlement sharing arrangements

Division 80

4

Third party payments

Division 134

Division 21Bad debts

211  What this Division is about

If debts are written off as bad or are outstanding after 12 months, adjustments (for the purpose of working out net amounts) are made. They can arise both for amounts written off or outstanding and for recovery of amounts previously written off or outstanding.

Note: This Division does not apply to supplies and acquisitions that you account for on a cash basis (except in the limited circumstances referred to in Division 159).

215  Writing off bad debts (taxable supplies)

 (1) You have a decreasing adjustment if:

 (a) you made a *taxable supply; and

 (b) the whole or part of the *consideration for the supply has not been received; and

 (c) you write off as bad the whole or a part of the debt, or the whole or a part of the debt has been *overdue for 12 months or more.

The amount of the decreasing adjustment is 1/11 of the amount written off, or 1/11 of the amount that has been overdue for 12 months or more, as the case requires.

 (2) However, you cannot have an *adjustment under this section if you *account on a cash basis.

2110  Recovering amounts previously written off (taxable supplies)

  You have an increasing adjustment if:

 (a) you made a *taxable supply in relation to which you had a *decreasing adjustment under section 215 for a debt; and

 (b) you recover the whole or a part of the amount written off, or the whole or a part of the amount that has been *overdue for 12 months or more, as the case requires.

The amount of the increasing adjustment is 1/11 of the amount recovered.

2115  Bad debts written off (creditable acquisitions)

 (1) You have an increasing adjustment if:

 (a) you made a *creditable acquisition for *consideration; and

 (b) the whole or part of the consideration is *overdue, but you have not provided the consideration overdue; and

 (c) the supplier of the thing you acquired writes off as bad the whole or a part of the debt, or the whole or a part of the debt has been overdue for 12 months or more.

The amount of the increasing adjustment is 1/11 of the amount written off, or 1/11 of the amount that has been overdue for 12 months or more, as the case requires.

 (2) However, you cannot have an *adjustment under this section if you *account on a cash basis.

2120  Recovering amounts previously written off (creditable acquisitions)

  You have a decreasing adjustment if:

 (a) you made a *creditable acquisition in relation to which you had an *increasing adjustment under section 2115 for a debt; and

 (b) you pay to the supplier of the thing you acquired the whole or a part of the amount written off, or the whole or a part of the amount that has been *overdue for 12 months or more, as the case requires.

The amount of the decreasing adjustment is 1/11 of the amount recovered.

2199  Special rules relating to adjustments for bad debts

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to adjustments for bad debts, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1A

Bad debts relating to transactions that are not taxable or creditable to the fullest extent

Division 136

1

Changing your accounting basis

Division 159

2

Gambling

Division 126

2A

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

3

Sale of freehold interests etc.

Division 75

Part 25Registration

Division 23Who is required to be registered and who may be registered

231  Explanation of Division

  This diagram shows when you are required to be, and when you may, be registered.

 

Note: This section is an explanatory section.

235  Who is required to be registered

  You are required to be registered under this Act if:

 (a) you are *carrying on an *enterprise; and

 (b) your *GST turnover meets the *registration turnover threshold.

Note: It is the entity that carries on the enterprise that is required to be registered (and not the enterprise).

2310  Who may be registered

 (1) You may be *registered under this Act if you are carrying on an *enterprise (whether or not your *GST turnover is at, above or below the *registration turnover threshold).

 (2) You may be *registered under this Act if you intend to carry on an *enterprise from a particular date.

2315  The registration turnover threshold

 (1) Your registration turnover threshold (unless you are a nonprofit body) is:

 (a) $50,000; or

 (b) such higher amount as the regulations specify.

 (2) Your registration turnover threshold if you are a nonprofit body is:

 (a) $100,000; or

 (b) such higher amount as the regulations specify.

2320  Not registered for 4 years

  Despite section 235, you are treated as not having been *required to be registered under this Act on a day if your *registration could not take effect from that day because of subsection 2510(1A).

Note: Subsection 2510(1A) provides that the date of effect of your registration must not be a day that occurred more than 4 years before the day of the Commissioner’s decision to register you, unless the Commissioner is of the opinion there has been fraud or evasion.

2399  Special rules relating to who is required to be registered or who may be registered

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to who is *required to be registered, or who may be *registered, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1A

Government entities   

Division 149

1B

Nonprofit subentities

Division 63

1

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

2

Resident agents acting for nonresidents

Division 57

3

Taxis

Division 144

Division 25How you become registered, and how your registration can be cancelled

Table of Subdivisions

25A How you become registered

25B How your registration can be cancelled

Subdivision 25AHow you become registered

251  When you must apply for registration

  You must apply, in the *approved form, to be *registered under this Act if:

 (a) you are not registered under this Act; and

 (b) you are *required to be registered.

You must make your application within 21 days after becoming required to be registered.

255  When the Commissioner must register you

 (1) The Commissioner must *register you if:

 (a) you have applied for registration in an *approved form; and

 (b) the Commissioner is satisfied that you are *carrying on an *enterprise, or you intend to carry on an enterprise from a particular date specified in your application.

Note: Refusing to register you under this subsection is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (2) The Commissioner must *register you (even if you have not applied for registration) if the Commissioner is satisfied that you are *required to be registered.

Note: Registering you under this subsection is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (3) The Commissioner must notify you in writing of any decision he or she makes in relation to you under this section. If the Commissioner decides to register you, the notice must specify the following:

 (a) the date of effect of your registration;

 (b) your registration number;

 (c) the tax periods that apply to you.

2510  The date of effect of your registration

 (1) The Commissioner must decide the date from which your *registration takes effect, or took effect. However:

 (a) if you did not apply for registration and the Commissioner is satisfied that you are *required to be registered—the date of effect must not be a day before the day on which you became required to be registered; or

 (b) if you applied for registration—the date of effect must not be a day before:

 (i) the day specified in your application; or

 (ii) if the Commissioner is satisfied that you became required to be registered on an earlier day—the day that the Commissioner is satisfied is that earlier day; or

 (c) if you are being registered only because you intend to *carry on an *enterprise—the date of effect must not be a day before the day specified, in your application for registration, as the day from which you intend to carry on the enterprise.

Note: Deciding the date of effect of your registration is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (1A) The date of effect must not be a day that occurred more than 4 years before the day of the decision, unless the Commissioner is of the opinion there has been fraud or evasion.

 (2) The *Australian Business Registrar must enter in the *Australian Business Register the date on which your *registration takes or took effect.

2515  Effect of backdating your registration

  If the Commissioner decides under section 2510, as the date of effect of your *registration (your registration day), a day before the day of the decision, then you are taken:

 (a) for the purpose of determining whether a supply you made on or after your registration day was a *taxable supply; and

 (b) for the purpose of determining whether an acquisition you made on or after that day was a *creditable acquisition; and

 (c) for the purpose of determining whether an importation you made on or after that day was a *creditable importation;

to have been registered from and including your registration day.

Note: This section ensures that backdating your registration enables your supplies and acquisitions made on or after the date of effect to be picked up by the GST system. Section 2510 limits the extent to which your registration can be backdated.

2549  Special rules relating to registration

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to *registration in particular cases, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1A

Government entities

Division 149

1

GST branches

Division 54

2

Nonprofit subentities

Division 63

3

Nonresidents making supplies connected with Australia

Division 83

Subdivision 25BHow your registration can be cancelled

2550  When you must apply for cancellation of registration

  If you are *registered and you are not *carrying on any *enterprise, you must apply to the Commissioner in the *approved form for cancellation of your *registration. You must lodge your application within 21 days after the day on which you ceased to be carrying on any *enterprise.

2555  When the Commissioner must cancel registration

 (1) The Commissioner must cancel your *registration if:

 (a) you have applied for cancellation of registration in the *approved form; and

 (b) at the time you applied for cancellation of registration, you had been registered for at least 12 months; and

 (c) the Commissioner is satisfied that you are not *required to be registered.

Note: Refusing to cancel your registration under this subsection is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (2) The Commissioner must cancel your *registration (even if you have not applied for cancellation of your registration) if:

 (a) the Commissioner is satisfied that you are not *carrying on an *enterprise; and

 (b) the Commissioner believes on reasonable grounds that you are not likely to carry on an enterprise for at least 12 months.

Note: Cancelling your registration under this subsection is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (3) The Commissioner must notify you of any decision he or she makes in relation to you under this section. If the Commissioner decides to cancel your registration, the notice must specify the date of effect of the cancellation.

2557  When the Commissioner may cancel your registration

 (1) The Commissioner may cancel your *registration if:

 (a) less than 12 months after being registered, you apply for cancellation of registration in the *approved form; and

 (b) the Commissioner is satisfied that you are not *required to be registered.

Note: Refusing to cancel your registration under this subsection is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (2) In considering your application, the Commissioner may have regard to:

 (a) how long you have been *registered; and

 (b) whether you have previously been registered; and

 (c) any other relevant matters.

 (3) The Commissioner must notify you of any decision he or she makes in relation to you under this section. If the Commissioner decides to cancel your registration, the notice must specify the date of effect of the cancellation.

2560  The date of effect of your cancellation

 (1) The Commissioner must decide the date on which the cancellation of your *registration under subsection 2555(1) or (2) or section 2557 takes effect. That date may be any day occurring before, on or after the day on which the Commissioner makes the decision.

Note: Deciding the date of effect of the cancellation of your registration is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (2) The *Australian Business Registrar must enter in the *Australian Business Register the date on which the cancellation of your *registration takes effect.

2565  Effect of backdating your cancellation of registration

  If the Commissioner decides under section 2560, as the date of effect of the cancellation of your *registration (your cancellation day), a day before the day of the decision, your registration is taken:

 (a) for the purpose of determining whether a supply you made on or after your cancellation day was a *taxable supply; and

 (b) for the purpose of determining whether an acquisition you made on or after that day was a *creditable acquisition; and

 (c) for the purpose of determining whether an importation you made on or after that date was a *creditable importation;

to have been cancelled from and including your cancellation day.

2599  Special rules relating to cancellation of registration

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to cancellation of *registration in particular cases, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1A

Government entities

Division 149

1

GST branches

Division 54

1B

Nonprofit subentities

Division 63

2

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

3

Resident agents acting for nonresidents

Division 57

Part 26Tax periods

Division 27How to work out the tax periods that apply to you

271  What this Division is about

This Division tells you the tax periods that apply to you. You need to know this because your net amounts are worked out in respect of these tax periods.

275  General rule—3 month tax periods

  The tax periods that apply to you are each period of 3 months ending on 31 March, 30 June, 30 September or 31 December in any year, except to the extent that:

 (a) an election is in force under section 2710; or

 (b) the Commissioner determines otherwise under this Division.

Note: Several provisions in Chapter 4 provide for different tax periods. In particular, Division 151 provides for annual tax periods.

2710  Election of one month tax periods

 (1) The tax periods that apply to you are each individual month if, by notifying the Commissioner in the *approved form, you elect to have as the tax periods that apply to you each individual month.

 (2) The election takes effect on the day specified in the notice. However, the day specified must be 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October.

2715  Determination of one month tax periods

 (1) The Commissioner must determine that the tax periods that apply to you are each individual month if:

 (a) the Commissioner is satisfied that your *GST turnover meets the *tax period turnover threshold; or

 (b) the Commissioner is satisfied that the period for which you will be *carrying on an *enterprise in Australia is less than 3 months; or

 (c) the Commissioner is satisfied that you have a history of failing to comply with your obligations under a *taxation law.

Note: Determining under this section the tax periods applying to you is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (2) The determination takes effect on the day specified in the determination. However, the day specified must be 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October.

Note: Deciding the date of effect of the determination is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (3) The tax period turnover threshold is:

 (a) $20 million; or

 (b) such other amount as the regulations specify.

However, if the regulations change the tax period turnover threshold, the change does not apply to you until the start of the next tax period that starts after the regulation in question comes into operation.

2720  Withdrawing elections of one month tax periods

 (1) You may, by notifying the Commissioner in the *approved form, withdraw an election under section 2710, unless your *GST turnover meets the *tax period turnover threshold.

 (2) The withdrawal takes effect on the day specified in the notice. However, the day specified:

 (a) must be 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October, or any day occurring before the election takes effect; and

 (b) must not be a day occurring earlier than 12 months after the election took effect.

2722  Revoking elections of one month tax periods

 (1) The Commissioner may, if you so request in the *approved form, revoke your election under section 2710, with effect from a day occurring earlier than 12 months after the election took effect, unless the Commissioner is satisfied that your *GST turnover meets the *tax period turnover threshold.

Note: Refusing to revoke your election under this subsection is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (2) In considering your request, the Commissioner may have regard to:

 (a) for how long the tax periods applying to you have been each individual month; and

 (b) whether you have previously been *registered, and whether such tax periods had applied to you; and

 (c) any other relevant matters.

 (3) The revocation:

 (a) takes effect on the day specified in the instrument of revocation; or

 (b) is taken to have had effect from a past day specified in the instrument of revocation.

However, the day specified must be 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October.

Note: Deciding the date of effect of the revocation is a reviewable decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

2725  Revoking determinations of one month tax periods

 (1) The Commissioner must revoke a determination under section 2715 relating to you if you so request, unless the Commissioner is satisfied that any of the grounds for making a determination under that section apply to you.

Note: Refusing to revoke a determination under this section is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (2) The revocation takes effect on the day specified in the instrument of revocation. However, the day specified:

 (a) must be 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October; and

 (b) must not be a day occurring earlier than 12 months after the determination took effect.

Note: Deciding the date of effect of the revocation is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

2730  Tax periods determined by the Commissioner to take account of changes in tax periods

 (1) For the purpose of ensuring the effective operation of this Division where:

 (a) you become *registered or *required to be registered; or

 (b) the tax periods applying to you have changed;

the Commissioner may, by written notice given to you, determine that a period specified in the notice is a tax period that applies to you.

Note: Determining under this section a tax period applying to you is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (2) The period specified in the notice may start earlier than the day on which the notice is given to you.

 (3) However, the period specified in the notice:

 (a) must be less than 3 months; and

 (b) must not overlap with any part of any other tax period for which you have already given a *GST return to the Commissioner.

For the giving of GST returns to the Commissioner, see Division 31.

2735  Changing the days on which your tax periods end

 (1) You may change the day in each year on which a tax period would otherwise end. However:

 (a) the day must be no more than 7 days earlier or 7 days later than a day on which one of the tax periods that applies to you would otherwise end if the days were not changed; and

 (b) the change must be consistent with the commercial accounting periods that apply to you.

 (2) If the day on which a tax period ends is changed, the next tax period starts on the day after that day.

2737  Special determination of tax periods on request

 (1) The Commissioner may, in accordance with a request you make in the *approved form, determine the tax periods applying to you to be the tax periods specified in the request if the Commissioner is satisfied that:

 (a) your *GST turnover meets the *tax period turnover threshold; and

 (b) the tax periods specified in the request are consistent with the commercial accounting periods that apply to you; and

 (c) the tax periods specified in the request would, if determined under this section, result in 12 complete tax periods in each year; and

 (d) any other requirements specified in the regulations are complied with.

Note: Refusing a request for a determination under this section is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (2) A determination under this section overrides any determination under section 2715 or 2730 relating to tax periods applying to you.

2738  Revoking special determination of tax periods

 (1) The Commissioner must revoke a determination under section 2737 if the Commissioner is satisfied that any of the requirements of paragraphs 2737(1)(a), (b), (c) and (d) are not complied with.

Note: Revoking a determination under this section is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (2) The revocation takes effect on the day specified in the instrument of revocation. However, the day specified must be 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October.

Note: Deciding the date of effect of the revocation is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (3) A revocation under this section revives any election under section 2710, or any determination under section 2715 or 2730, relating to tax periods applying to you.

2739  Tax periods of incapacitated entities

 (1) If an entity becomes an *incapacitated entity, the entity’s tax period at the time is taken to have ended at the end of the day before the entity became incapacitated.

 (2) If a tax period (the first tax period) ends on a particular day because of subsection (1), the next tax period starts on the day after that day and ends when the first tax period would have ended but for that subsection.

2740  An entity’s concluding tax period

 (1) If:

 (a) an individual dies; or

 (b) another entity for any reason ceases to exist;

the individual’s or entity’s tax period at the time is taken to have ceased at the end of the day before the death or cessation.

 (1A) If an entity ceases to *carry on any *enterprise, the entity’s tax period at the time is taken to have ceased at the end of the day on which the cessation occurred.

 (2) If an entity’s *registration is cancelled, the entity’s tax period at the date of effect of the cancellation (the cancellation day) ceases at the end of the cancellation day.

2799  Special rules relating to tax periods

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to tax periods, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1AAA

Annual tax periods

Division 151

1

Changes in the extent of creditable purpose

Division 129

1AA

GST groups

Division 48

1AB

Payment of GST by instalments

Division 162

1A

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

2

Resident agents acting for nonresidents

Division 57

Division 29What is attributable to tax periods

Table of Subdivisions

29A The attribution rules

29B Accounting on a cash basis

29C Tax invoices and adjustment notes

291  What this Division is about

This Division tells you the tax periods to which your taxable supplies, creditable acquisitions, creditable importations and adjustments are attributable. You need to know this to work out your net amounts under Part 24.

Note: This Division does not deal with your taxable importations, because they are not attributed to tax periods. See section 3315 for payment of assessed GST on taxable importations.

Subdivision 29AThe attribution rules

295  Attributing the GST on your taxable supplies

 (1) The GST payable by you on a *taxable supply is attributable to:

 (a) the tax period in which any of the *consideration is received for the supply; or

 (b) if, before any of the consideration is received, an *invoice is issued relating to the supply—the tax period in which the invoice is issued.

 (2) However, if you *account on a cash basis, then:

 (a) if, in a tax period, all of the *consideration is received for a *taxable supply—GST on the supply is attributable to that tax period; or

 (b) if, in a tax period, part of the consideration is received—GST on the supply is attributable to that tax period, but only to the extent that the consideration is received in that tax period; or

 (c) if, in a tax period, none of the consideration is received—none of the GST on the supply is attributable to that tax period.

2910  Attributing the input tax credits for your creditable acquisitions

 (1) The input tax credit to which you are entitled for a *creditable acquisition is attributable to:

 (a) the tax period in which you provide any of the *consideration for the acquisition; or

 (b) if, before you provide any of the consideration, an *invoice is issued relating to the acquisition—the tax period in which the invoice is issued.

 (2) However, if you *account on a cash basis, then:

 (a) if, in a tax period, you provide all of the *consideration for a *creditable acquisition—the input tax credit for the acquisition is attributable to that tax period; or

 (b) if, in a tax period, you provide part of the consideration—the input tax credit for the acquisition is attributable to that tax period, but only to the extent that you provided the consideration in that tax period; or

 (c) if, in a tax period, none of the consideration is provided—none of the input tax credit for the acquisition is attributable to that tax period.

 (3) If you do not hold a *tax invoice for a *creditable acquisition when you give to the Commissioner a *GST return for the tax period to which the input tax credit (or any part of the input tax credit) on the acquisition would otherwise be attributable:

 (a) the input tax credit (including any part of the input tax credit) is not attributable to that tax period; and

 (b) the input tax credit (or part) is attributable to the first tax period for which you give to the Commissioner a GST return at a time when you hold that tax invoice.

However, this subsection does not apply in circumstances of a kind determined in writing by the Commissioner to be circumstances in which the requirement for a tax invoice does not apply.

For the giving of GST returns to the Commissioner, see Division 31.

 (4) If the *GST return for a tax period does not take into account an input tax credit attributable to that tax period:

 (a) the input tax credit is not attributable to that tax period; and

 (b) the input tax credit is attributable to the first tax period for which you give the Commissioner a GST return that does take it into account.

Note: Section 935 or 9315 may provide a time limit on your entitlement to an input tax credit.

2915  Attributing the input tax credits for your creditable importations

 (1) The input tax credit to which you are entitled for a *creditable importation is attributable to the tax period in which you pay the *assessed GST on the importation.

 (2) However, if paragraph 3315(1)(b) applies to payment of the *assessed GST on the importation, the input tax credit is attributable to the tax period in which the liability for the GST arose.

2920  Attributing your adjustments

 (1) An *adjustment that you have is attributable to the tax period in which you become aware of the adjustment.

 (2) However, if you *account on a cash basis, and the *adjustment arises from an *adjustment event as a result of which you are liable to provide *consideration, then:

 (a) if, in a tax period, all of the consideration is provided—the *adjustment is attributable to that tax period; or

 (b) if, in a tax period, part of the consideration is provided—the adjustment is attributable to that tax period, but only to the extent that the consideration is provided in that tax period; or

 (c) if, in a tax period, none of the consideration is provided—none of the adjustment is attributable to that tax period.

 (3) If:

 (a) you have a *decreasing adjustment arising from an *adjustment event; and

 (b) you do not hold an *adjustment note for the adjustment when you give to the Commissioner a *GST return for the tax period to which the adjustment (or any part of the adjustment) would otherwise be attributable;

then:

 (c) the adjustment (including any part of the adjustment) is not attributable to that tax period; and

 (d) the adjustment (or part) is attributable to the first tax period for which you give to the Commissioner a GST return at a time when you hold that adjustment note.

However, this subsection does not apply in circumstances of a kind determined in writing by the Commissioner to be circumstances in which the requirement for an adjustment note does not apply.

For the giving of GST returns to the Commissioner, see Division 31.

2925  Commissioner may determine particular attribution rules

 (1) The Commissioner may, in writing, determine the tax periods to which:

 (a) GST on *taxable supplies of a specified kind; or

 (b) input tax credits for *creditable acquisitions of a specified kind; or

 (c) input tax credits for *creditable importations of a specified kind; or

 (d) *adjustments of a specified kind;

are attributable.

 (2) However, the Commissioner must not make a determination under this section unless satisfied that it is necessary to prevent the provisions of this Division and Chapter 4 applying in a way that is inappropriate in circumstances involving:

 (a) a supply or acquisition in which possession of goods passes, but title in the goods will, or may, pass at some time in the future; or

 (b) a supply or acquisition for which payment is made or an *invoice is issued, but use, enjoyment or passing of title will, or may, occur at some time in the future; or

 (c) a supply or acquisition occurring, but still being subject to a statutory cooling off period under an *Australian law; or

 (d) a supply or acquisition occurring before the supplier or *recipient knows it has occurred; or

 (e) a supply or acquisition occurring before the supplier or recipient knows the total *consideration; or

 (f) a supply or acquisition made under a contract that is subject to preconditions; or

 (g) a supply or acquisition made under a contract that provides for retention of some or all of the consideration until certain conditions are met; or

 (h) a supply or acquisition for which the GST treatment will be unknown until a later supply is made.

 (3) Determinations under subsection (1) override the provisions of this Division (except this section) and Chapter 4, but only to the extent of any inconsistency.

2939  Special rules relating to attribution rules

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to attribution rules, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1

Agents and insurance brokers

Division 153

2

Associates

Division 72

3

Cancelled layby sales

Division 102

4

Cessation of registration

Division 138

5

Changes in the extent of creditable purpose

Division 129

6

Changing your accounting basis

Division 159

7

Company amalgamations

Division 90

8

Deposits as security

Division 99

8A

Distributions from deceased estates

Division 139

8AA

Hire purchase agreements

Division 158

8B

Nondeductible expenses

Division 69

9

Preestablishment costs

Division 60

10

Reimbursement of employees etc.

Division 111

11

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

11A

Secondhand goods

Division 66

12

Supplies and acquisitions made on a progressive or periodic basis

Division 156

13

Supplies of things acquired etc. without full input tax credits

Division 132

13A

Third party payments

Division 134

14

Tradex scheme goods

Division 141

Subdivision 29BAccounting on a cash basis

2940  Choosing to account on a cash basis

 (1) You may choose to *account on a cash basis, with effect from the first day of the tax period that you choose, if:

 (a) you are a *small business entity (other than because of subsection 328110(4) of the *ITAA 1997) for the *income year in which you make your choice; or

 (ab) you do not carry on a *business and your *GST turnover does not exceed the *cash accounting turnover threshold; or

 (b) for income tax purposes, you account for your income using the receipts method; or

 (c) each of the *enterprises that you *carry on is an enterprise of a kind that the Commissioner determines, in writing, to be a kind of enterprise in respect of which a choice to *account on a cash basis may be made under this section.

 (3) The cash accounting turnover threshold is:

 (a) $2 million; or

 (b) such higher amount as the regulations specify.

2945  Permission to account on a cash basis

 (1) The Commissioner may permit you to *account on a cash basis if:

 (a) you apply to the Commissioner in the *approved form for permission to account on a cash basis; and

 (b) the Commissioner is satisfied that, having regard to:

 (i) the nature and size of the *enterprise that you *carry on; and

 (ii) the nature of the accounting system that you use;

  it is appropriate to permit you to account on a cash basis.

Note: Refusing to permit you to account on a cash basis is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (2) The Commissioner must notify you in writing of any decision he or she makes in relation to you under this section. If the Commissioner decides to permit you to *account on a cash basis, the notice must specify the date of effect of your permission.

Note: Deciding the date of effect of your permission to account on a cash basis is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

2950  Ceasing to account on a cash basis

 (1) You cease to *account on a cash basis if:

 (a) in a case to which paragraph 2940(1)(a) applied—you are not a *small business entity of the kind referred to in that paragraph for an *income year and you do not have permission to *account on a cash basis; or

 (ab) in a case to which paragraph 2940(1)(ab) applied—you do not satisfy the requirements of that paragraph and you do not have permission to account on a cash basis; or

 (b) you notify the Commissioner, in the *approved form, that you are ceasing to *account on a cash basis.

 (2) The date of effect of your cessation is the first day of the next tax period to commence after:

 (a) if paragraph (1)(a) applies—the start of the *income year referred to in that paragraph; or

 (b) if paragraph (1)(ab) applies—you do not satisfy the requirements of paragraph 2940(1)(ab); or

 (c) if paragraph (1)(b) applies—you notify the Commissioner.

 (3) The Commissioner must revoke any permission for you to *account on a cash basis if the Commissioner is satisfied that:

 (a) either:

 (i) you carry on a *business but you are not a *small business entity (other than because of subsection 328110(4) of the *ITAA 1997) for an *income year; or

 (ii) you do not carry on a business and your *GST turnover meets the *cash accounting turnover threshold; and

 (b) it is not appropriate to permit you to account on a cash basis.

Note: Revoking your permission to account on a cash basis is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

 (4) The Commissioner must notify you in writing of his or her decision under subsection (3). The notice must specify the date of effect of the revocation, which can be the first day of any tax period starting before, on or after the day on which the Commissioner makes the decision.

Note: Deciding the date of effect of the revocation of your permission to account on a cash basis is a reviewable GST decision (see Subdivision 110F in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

2969  Special rules relating to accounting on a cash basis

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to accounting on a cash basis, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1

Accounting basis of charities etc.

Division 157

2

Hire purchase agreements

Division 158

Subdivision 29CTax invoices and adjustment notes

2970  Tax invoices

 (1) A tax invoice is a document that complies with the following requirements:

 (a) it is issued by the supplier of the supply or supplies to which the document relates, unless it is a *recipient created tax invoice (in which case it is issued by the *recipient);

 (b) it is in the *approved form;

 (c) it contains enough information to enable the following to be clearly ascertained:

 (i) the supplier’s identity and the supplier’s *ABN;

 (ii) if the total *price of the supply or supplies is at least $1,000 or such higher amount as the regulations specify, or if the document was issued by the recipient—the recipient’s identity or the recipient’s ABN;

 (iii) what is supplied, including the quantity (if applicable) and the price of what is supplied;

 (iv) the extent to which each supply to which the document relates is a *taxable supply;

 (v) the date the document is issued;

 (vi) the amount of GST (if any) payable in relation to each supply to which the document relates;

 (vii) if the document was issued by the recipient and GST is payable in relation to any supply—that the GST is payable by the supplier;

 (viii) such other matters as the regulations specify;

 (d) it can be clearly ascertained from the document that the document was intended to be a tax invoice or, if it was issued by the recipient, a recipient created tax invoice.

Note: If the recipient is a member of a GST group, section 4857 may relax the requirements relating to the recipient’s identity or the recipient’s ABN.

 (1A) A document issued by an entity to another entity may be treated by the other entity as a *tax invoice for the purposes of this Act if:

 (a) it would comply with the requirements for a tax invoice but for the fact that it does not contain certain information; and

 (b) all of that information can be clearly ascertained from other documents given by the entity to the other entity.

Note: The requirements for a tax invoices are primarily contained in subsection (1), but can be affected by sections 4857 and 5450.

 (1B) However, the Commissioner may treat as a *tax invoice a particular document that would not, apart from this subsection, be a tax invoice.

 (2) The supplier of a *taxable supply must, within 28 days after the *recipient of the supply requests it, give to the recipient a *tax invoice for the supply, unless it is a *recipient created tax invoice.

 (3) A recipient created tax invoice is a *tax invoice belonging to a class of tax invoices that the Commissioner has determined in writing may be issued by the *recipient of a *taxable supply.

2975  Adjustment notes

 (1) An adjustment note for an *adjustment that arises from an *adjustment event relating to a *taxable supply:

 (a) must be issued by the supplier of the *taxable supply in the circumstances set out in subsection (2); and

 (b) must set out the *ABN of the entity that issues it; and

 (c) must contain such other information as the Commissioner determines in writing; and

 (d) must be in the *approved form.

However, the Commissioner may treat as an adjustment note a particular document that is not an adjustment note.

 (2) The supplier of the *taxable supply must:

 (a) within 28 days after the *recipient of the supply requests the supplier to give an *adjustment note for the *adjustment relating to the supply; or

 (b) if the supplier has issued a *tax invoice in relation to the supply (or the recipient has requested one) and the supplier becomes aware of the adjustment before an adjustment note is requested—within 28 days after becoming aware of that fact;

give to the recipient an *adjustment note for the *adjustment, unless any *tax invoice relating to the supply would have been a *recipient created tax invoice (in which case it must be issued by the recipient).

 (3) However, in circumstances that the Commissioner determines in writing, paragraph (2)(b) has effect as if the number of days referred to in that paragraph is the number of days specified in the determination in relation to those circumstances.

 (4) Those circumstances may, for example, include the kind of the *taxable supply.

2980  Tax invoices and adjustment notes not required for low value transactions

 (1) Subsections 2910(3) and 2970(2) do not apply to a *creditable acquisition that relates to a *taxable supply the *value of which does not exceed $50, or such higher amount as the regulations specify.

 (2) Subsections 2920(3) and 2975(2) do not apply to a *decreasing adjustment of an amount that does not exceed $50, or such higher amount as the regulations specify.

2999  Special rules relating to tax invoices and adjustment notes

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to tax invoices and adjustment notes, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case ...

See:

1

Agents and insurance brokers

Division 153

1A

Annual apportionment of creditable purpose

Division 131

2

Gambling

Division 126

3

GST branches

Division 54

3A

GST groups

Division 48

4

Nonresidents making supplies connected with Australia

Division 83

5

Sale of freehold interests etc.

Division 75

Part 27Returns, payments and refunds

Division 31GST returns

311  What this Division is about

This Division is about your obligation (if you are registered or required to be registered) to give to the Commissioner GST returns for each tax period.

For the penalties for failing to comply with these obligations, see the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

315  Who must give GST returns

 (1) If you are *registered or *required to be registered, you must give to the Commissioner a *GST return for each tax period.

 (2) You must give the return whether or not:

 (a) your *net amount for the tax period is zero; or

 (b) you are liable for the GST on any *taxable supplies that are attributable to the tax period.

318  When GST returns must be given—quarterly tax periods

 (1) If a tax period applying to you is a *quarterly tax period, you must give your *GST return for the tax period to the Commissioner:

 (a) as provided in the following table; or

 (b) within such further period as the Commissioner allows.

 

When quarterly GST returns must be given

Item

If this day falls within the quarterly tax period …

Give the GST return to the Commissioner on or before this day:

1

1 September

the following 28 October

2

1 December

the following 28 February

3

1 March

the following 28 April

4

1 June

the following 28 July

 (2) A tax period is a quarterly tax period if:

 (a) it is a period of 3 months; or

 (b) it would be a period of 3 months but for the application of section 2730 or 2735.

Note: Under section 2730, a tax period can be determined to take account of changes in tax periods. Under section 2735, the start or finish of a 3 month tax period can vary by up to 7 days from the start or finish of a normal quarter.

3110  When GST returns must be given—other tax periods

 (1) You must give your *GST return for a tax period (other than a *quarterly tax period) to the Commissioner:

 (a) on or before the 21st day of the month following the end of that tax period; or

 (b) within such further period as the Commissioner allows.

 (2) However, if the tax period ends during the first 7 days of a month, you must give the *GST return to the Commissioner:

 (a) on or before the 21st day of that month; or

 (b) within such further period as the Commissioner allows.

3115  The form and contents of GST returns

 (1) Your *GST return for a tax period must be in the *approved form.

 (2) However, if during the tax period:

 (a) you are not liable for the GST on any *taxable supplies, and you did not make any supplies that would have been taxable supplies had they not been *GSTfree or *input taxed; and

 (b) you are not liable for the GST on any *taxable importations the GST on which is payable at the time when GST on taxable supplies is normally payable; and

 (c) you are not entitled to the input tax credits on any *creditable acquisitions or *creditable importations;

you may give your *GST return for the period to the Commissioner in the manner the Commissioner requires.

 (3) The fact that, in your *GST return for the *tax period, your *net amount for the *tax period is worked out:

 (a) in the way specified in section 175; and

 (b) not in the way specified in the *approved form for a GST return;

does not prevent your GST return for the tax period being treated as being in the approved form.

3120  Additional GST returns

 (1) You must, if required by the Commissioner, whether before or after the end of a tax period, give to the Commissioner, within the time required, a *GST return or a further or fuller GST return for the tax period or a specified period, whether or not you have given the Commissioner a GST return for the tax period under section 315.

 (2) The *approved form for a further or fuller *GST return may require information to be provided relating to:

 (a) the tax period to which the return relates; or

 (b) one or more preceding tax periods; or

 (c) both the tax period to which the return relates, and one or more preceding tax periods.

3125  Electronic lodgment of GST returns

 (1) You may give your *GST returns to the Commissioner by *lodging them electronically.

Note: Section 38875 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 deals with signing returns.

 (2) However, if your *GST turnover meets the *electronic lodgment turnover threshold, you must give your *GST returns to the Commissioner by *lodging them electronically, unless the Commissioner otherwise approves.

Note 1: A penalty applies if you fail to lodge your GST return electronically as required—see section 28810 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

Note 2: If you lodge your GST return electronically, you must also electronically notify the Commissioner of other BAS amounts—see section 38880 in that Schedule.

 (3) A *GST return is lodged electronically if it is transmitted to the Commissioner in an electronic format approved by the Commissioner.

 (4) The electronic lodgment turnover threshold is:

 (a) $20 million; or

 (b) such higher amount as the regulations specify.

3130  GST returns treated as being duly made

  A *GST return purporting to be made or signed by or on behalf of an entity is treated as having been duly made by the entity or with the entity’s authority until the contrary is proved.

3199  Special rules relating to GST returns

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to *GST returns, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case …

See:

1A

Annual tax periods

Division 151

1

GST branches

Division 54

2

GST groups

Division 48

3

GST joint ventures

Division 51

4

Insurance

Division 78

4A

Payment of GST by instalments

Division 162

4B

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

5

Resident agents acting for nonresidents

Division 57

6

Supplies in satisfaction of debts

Division 105

Division 33Payments of GST

331  What this Division is about

This Division is about your obligation to pay to the Commonwealth amounts of GST that remain after offsetting your entitlements to input tax credits. The obligation to pay arises for any of your assessed net amounts that are greater than zero.

Note 1A: For provisions about assessment (including selfassessment), see Division 155 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

Note 1: For the penalties for failing to comply with these obligations, see the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

Note 2: For provisions about collection and recovery of GST, see Subdivision 105C, and Part 415, in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

Note 3: Payments of GST on importations of goods are dealt with separately in section 3315 of this Act.

333  When payments of assessed net amounts must be made—quarterly tax periods

  If:

 (a) the *assessed net amount for a tax period applying to you is greater than zero; and

 (b) the tax period is a *quarterly tax period;

you must pay the assessed net amount to the Commissioner as follows:

 

When quarterly GST payments must be made

Item

If this day falls within the quarterly tax period …

Pay the assessed net amount to the Commissioner on or before this day:

1

1 September

the following 28 October

2

1 December

the following 28 February

3

1 March

the following 28 April

4

1 June

the following 28 July

335  When payments of assessed net amounts must be made—other tax periods

 (1) If the *assessed net amount for a tax period (other than a *quarterly tax period) applying to you is greater than zero, you must pay the assessed net amount to the Commissioner on or before the 21st day of the month following the end of that tax period.

 (2) However, if the tax period ends during the first 7 days of a month, you must pay the *assessed net amount to the Commissioner on or before the 21st day of that month.

3310  How payment of assessed net amounts are made

 (1) You may pay by *electronic payment any *assessed net amounts payable by you. Any amounts of an assessed net amount that you do not pay by electronic payment must be paid in the manner determined in writing by the Commissioner.

 (2) However, if your *GST turnover meets the *electronic lodgment turnover threshold, you must pay by *electronic payment any *assessed net amounts payable by you.

Note 1: A penalty applies if you fail to pay electronically as required—see section 28820 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

Note 2: You must also pay other tax debts electronically—see section 8AAZMA in that Act.

3315  Payments of assessed GST on importations

 (1) Amounts of *assessed GST on *taxable importations are to be paid by the importer to the Commonwealth:

 (a) at the same time, at the same place, and in the same manner, as *customs duty is payable on the goods in question (or would be payable if the goods were subject to customs duty); or

 (b) in the circumstances specified in the regulations, within such further time specified in the regulations, and at the place and in the manner specified in the regulations.

Note: The regulations could (for example) allow for deferral of payments to coincide with payments of assessed net amounts.

 (2) An officer of Customs (within the meaning of subsection 4(1) of the Customs Act 1901) may refuse to deliver the goods concerned unless the *assessed GST has been paid.

3399  Special rules relating to payments of GST

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to payments of GST, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case …

See:

1A

Annual tax periods

Division 151

1

Antiavoidance

Division 165

2

Customs security etc. given on taxable importations

Division 171

3

GST branches

Division 54

4

GST joint ventures

Division 51

4A

Importations without entry for home consumption

Division 114

5

Insurance

Division 78

5A

Payment of GST by instalments

Division 162

6

Supplies in satisfaction of debts

Division 105

Division 35Refunds

351  What this Division is about

This Division is about the Commissioner’s obligation to pay to you your entitlements to input tax credits that remain after offsetting amounts of GST. The obligation to pay arises for any of your assessed net amounts that are less than zero.

355  Entitlement to refund

 (1) If the *assessed net amount for a tax period is less than zero, the Commissioner must, on behalf of the Commonwealth, pay that amount (expressed as a positive amount) to you.

Note 1: See Division 3A of Part IIB of, and section 10565 in Schedule 1 to, the Taxation Administration Act 1953 for the rules about how the Commissioner must pay you. Division 3 of Part IIB allows the Commissioner to apply the amount owing as a credit against tax debts that you owe to the Commonwealth.

Note 2: Interest is payable under the Taxation (Interest on Overpayments and Early Payments) Act 1983 if the Commissioner is late in refunding the amount.

 (2) However, if:

 (a) the Commissioner amends the *assessment of your *net amount; and

 (b) your *assessed net amount before the amendment was less than zero; and

 (c) the amount that, because of the assessment, was:

 (i) paid; or

 (ii) applied under the Taxation Administration Act 1953;

  exceeded the amount (including a nil amount) that would have been payable or applicable had your assessed net amount always been the later assessed net amount;

the amount of the excess is to be treated as if:

 (d) the excess were an assessed net amount for the tax period; and

 (e) that assessed net amount were an amount greater than zero and equal to the amount of the excess; and

 (f) despite Division 33, that assessed net amount became payable, and due for payment, by you at the time when the amount was paid or applied.

Note: Treating the excess as if it were an assessed net amount has the effect of applying the collection and recovery rules in Part 310 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953, such as a liability to pay the general interest charge under section 10580 in that Schedule.

3510  When entitlement arises

  Your entitlement to be paid an amount under section 355 arises when the Commissioner gives you notice of the *assessment of your *net amount for the tax period.

Note: In certain circumstances, the Commissioner is treated as having given you notice of the assessment when you give to the Commissioner your GST return (see section 15515 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953).

3599  Special rules relating to refunds

  Chapter 4 contains special rules relating to refunds, as follows:

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case …

See:

1

Antiavoidance

Division 165

2

GST branches

Division 54

3

GST joint ventures

Division 51

4

Tourist refund scheme

Division 168

Note: Section 10565 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 also relates to refunds of assessed net amounts.

Part 28Checklist of special rules

Division 37Checklist of special rules

371  Checklist of special rules

  The provisions set out in the table contain special rules relating to the matters indicated.

 

Checklist of special rules

Item

For this case…

See:

1AA

Accounting basis of charities etc.

Division 157

1

Agents and insurance brokers

Division 153

1A

Annual apportionment of creditable purpose

Division 131

1B

Annual tax periods

Division 151

2

Antiavoidance

Division 165

3

Associates

Division 72

3A

Bad debts relating to transactions that are not taxable or creditable to the fullest extent

Division 136

4

Cancelled layby sales

Division 102

5

Cessation of registration

Division 138

6

Changes in the extent of creditable purpose

Division 129

7

Changing your accounting basis

Division 159

8

Company amalgamations

Division 90

8A

Compulsory third party schemes

Division 79

9

Customs security etc. given for taxable importations

Division 171

10

Deposits as security

Division 99

10A

Distributions from deceased estates

Division 139

11

Financial supplies (reduced credit acquisitions)

Division 70

11A

Fringe benefits provided by input taxed suppliers

Division 71

12

Gambling

Division 126

12A

Goods applied solely to private or domestic use

Division 130

12B

Government entities

Division 149

13

GST branches

Division 54

14

GST groups

Division 48

15

GST joint ventures

Division 51

15A

GST religious groups

Division 49

17

Importations without entry for home consumption

Division 114

18

Insurance

Division 78

19

Longterm accommodation in commercial residential premises

Division 87

20

Nondeductible expenses

Division 69

20A

Nonprofit subentities

Division 63

20B

Nonresidents making supplies connected with Australia

Division 83

21

Offshore supplies other than goods or real property

Division 84

21A

Payment of GST by instalments

Division 162

22

Payments of taxes

Division 81

23

Preestablishment costs

Division 60

23A

Providing additional consideration under grossup clauses

Division 133

24

Reimbursement of employees etc.

Division 111

25

Representatives of incapacitated entities

Division 58

26

Resident agents acting for nonresidents

Division 57

28

Sale of freehold interests etc.

Division 75

29

Secondhand goods

Division 66

29AA

Settlement sharing arrangements

Division 80

29A

Simplified accounting methods for retailers and small enterprise entities

Division 123

29B

Stock on hand on becoming registered etc.

Division 137

30

Supplies and acquisitions made on a progressive or periodic basis

Division 156

30A

Supplies in return for rights to develop land

Division 82

31

Supplies in satisfaction of debts

Division 105

32

Supplies of going concerns

Division 135

33

Supplies of things acquired etc. without full input tax credits

Division 132

33A

Supply under arrangement covered by PAYG voluntary agreement

Division 113

34

Supplies partly connected with Australia

Division 96

35

Taxis

Division 144

35AA

Taxrelated transactions

Division 110

35A

Telecommunication supplies

Division 85

35B

Third party payments

Division 134

35C

Time limit on entitlements to input tax credits

Division 93

36

Tourist refund scheme

Division 168

36A

Tradex scheme goods

Division 141

36B

Valuation of reimported goods

Division 117

37

Valuation of taxable supplies of goods in bond

Division 108

38

Vouchers

Division 100

Chapter 3The exemptions

Part 31Supplies that are not taxable supplies

Division 38GSTfree supplies

Table of Subdivisions

38A Food

38B Health

38C Education

38D Child care

38E Exports and other supplies that are for consumption outside Australia

38F Religious services

38G Activities of charities etc.

38I Water and sewerage

38J Supplies of going concerns

38K Transport and related matters

38L Precious metals

38M Supplies through inwards duty free shops

38N Grants of land by governments

38O Farm land

38P Cars for use by disabled people

38Q International Mail

38R Telecommunication supplies made under arrangements for global roaming in Australia

38S Eligible emissions units

381  What this Division is about

This Division sets out the supplies that are GSTfree. If a supply is GSTfree, then:

 no GST is payable on the supply;

 an entitlement to an input tax credit for anything acquired or imported to make the supply is not affected.

For the basic rules about supplies that are GSTfree, see sections 930 and 980.

Subdivision 38AFood

382  Food

  A supply of *food is GSTfree.

383  Food that is not GSTfree

 (1) A supply is not GSTfree under section 382 if it is a supply of:

 (a) *food for consumption on the *premises from which it is supplied; or

 (b) hot food for consumption away from those premises; or

 (c) food of a kind specified in the third column of the table in clause 1 of Schedule 1, or food that is a combination of one or more foods at least one of which is food of such a kind; or

 (d) a *beverage (or an ingredient for a beverage), other than a beverage (or ingredient) of a kind specified in the third column of the table in clause 1 of Schedule 2; or

 (e) food of a kind specified in regulations made for the purposes of this subsection.

 (2) However, this section does not apply to a supply of *food of a kind specified in regulations made for the purposes of this subsection.

 (3) The items in the table in clause 1 of Schedule 1 or 2 are to be interpreted subject to the other clauses of Schedule 1 or 2, as the case requires.

384  Meaning of food

 (1) Food means any of these, or any combination of any of these:

 (a) food for human consumption (whether or not requiring processing or treatment);

 (b) ingredients for food for human consumption;

 (c) *beverages for human consumption;

 (d) ingredients for beverages for human consumption;

 (e) goods to be mixed with or added to food for human consumption (including condiments, spices, seasonings, sweetening agents or flavourings);

 (f) fats and oils marketed for culinary purposes;

but does not include:

 (g) live animals (other than crustaceans or molluscs); or

 (ga) unprocessed cow’s milk; or

 (h) any grain, cereal or sugar cane that has not been subject to any process or treatment resulting in an alteration of its form, nature or condition; or

 (i) plants under cultivation that can be consumed (without being subject to further process or treatment) as food for human consumption.

 (2) Beverage includes water.

385  Premises used in supplying food

  Premises, in relation to a supply of *food, includes:

 (a) the place where the supply takes place; or

 (b) the grounds surrounding a cafe or public house, or other outlet for the supply; or

 (c) the whole of any enclosed space such as a football ground, garden, showground, amusement park or similar area where there is a clear boundary or limit;

but does not include any part of a public thoroughfare unless it is an area designated for use in connection with supplies of food from an outlet for the supply of food.

386  Packaging of food

 (1) A supply of the packaging in which *food is supplied is GSTfree if the supply of the food is GSTfree.

 (2) However, the supply of the packaging is GSTfree under this section only to the extent that the packaging:

 (a) is necessary for the supply of the food; and

 (b) is packaging of a kind in which food of that kind is normally supplied.

Subdivision 38BHealth

387  Medical services

 (1) A supply of a *medical service is GSTfree.

 (2) However, a supply of a *medical service is not GSTfree under subsection (1) if:

 (a) it is a supply of a *professional service rendered in prescribed circumstances within the meaning of regulation 14 of the Health Insurance Regulations made under the Health Insurance Act 1973 (other than the prescribed circumstances set out in regulations 14(2)(ea), (f) and (g)); or

 (b) it is rendered for cosmetic reasons and is not a *professional service for which medicare benefit is payable under Part II of the Health Insurance Act 1973.

 (3) A supply of goods is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is made to an individual in the course of supplying to him or her a *medical service the supply of which is GSTfree; and

 (b) it is made at the premises at which the medical service is supplied.

3810  Other health services

 (1) A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is a service of a kind specified in the table in this subsection, or of a kind specified in the regulations; and

 (b) the supplier is a *recognised professional in relation to the supply of services of that kind; and

 (c) the supply would generally be accepted, in the profession associated with supplying services of that kind, as being necessary for the appropriate treatment of the *recipient of the supply.

 

Health services

Item

Service

1

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health

2

Acupuncture

3

Audiology, audiometry

4

Chiropody

5

Chiropractic

6

Dental

7

Dietary

8

Herbal medicine (including traditional Chinese herbal medicine)

9

Naturopathy

10

Nursing

11

Occupational therapy

12

Optometry

13

Osteopathy

14

Paramedical

15

Pharmacy

16

Psychology

17

Physiotherapy

18

Podiatry

19

Speech pathology

20

Speech therapy

21

Social work

 (2) However, a supply of a pharmacy service is not GSTfree under subsection (1) unless it is:

 (a) a supply relating to a supply that is GSTfree because of section 3850; or

 (b) a service of conducting a medication review.

 (3) A supply of goods is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is made to a person in the course of supplying to the person a service the supply of which is GSTfree under subsection (1) (other than a service referred to in item 8, 9, 12 or 15 of the table in subsection (1)); and

 (b) it is made at the premises at which the service is supplied.

 (4) A supply of goods is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is made to a person in the course of supplying to the person a service referred to in item 8 or 9 of the table in subsection (1); and

 (b) it is supplied, and used or consumed, at the premises at which the service is supplied.

 (5) A supply is GSTfree if it is provided by an ambulance service in the course of the treatment of the *recipient of the supply.

3815  Other government funded health services

  A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is a supply of a health service in connection with a supply that is GSTfree because of section 387 or 3810; and

 (b) the supplier receives funding from the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory in connection with the supply of the health service; and

 (c) the supply of the health service is of a kind determined in writing by the *Health Minister.

3820  Hospital treatment

 (1) A supply of *hospital treatment is GSTfree.

 (2) However, a supply of *hospital treatment is not GSTfree to the extent that it relates to a supply of a *professional service that, because of subsection 387(2), is not GSTfree.

 (3) A supply of goods is GSTfree if it is a supply that is directly related to a supply of *hospital treatment that is:

 (a) GSTfree because of subsection (1); and

 (b) supplied by, or on behalf of, the supplier of the hospital treatment.

3825  Residential care etc.

 (1) A supply of services is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is a supply of services covered by Schedule 1 to the *Quality of Care Principles; and

 (b) it is provided through a residential care service (within the meaning of the Aged Care Act 1997); and

 (c) the supplier is an approved provider (within the meaning of that Act).

 (2) A supply of services is GSTfree if:

 (a) the services are provided to one or more aged or disabled people; and

 (b) the *Aged Care Minister has determined in writing that the services are of a kind covered by Schedule 1 to the *Quality of Care Principles; and

 (c) the supplier receives funding from the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory in connection with the supply.

 (3) A supply of services is GSTfree if:

 (a) the services are provided to one or more aged or disabled people in a residential setting; and

 (b) the *Aged Care Minister has determined in writing that the services are of a kind covered by Schedule 1 to the *Quality of Care Principles; and

 (c) the services include, and are only provided to people who require, the services (care services) set out in:

 (i) item 2.1 (daily living activities assistance) of Part 2 of that Schedule; or

 (ii) item 3.8 (nursing services) of Part 3 of that Schedule.

 (3A) Services provided to a resident of a *retirement village are taken, for the purposes of paragraph (3)(a), to be provided in a residential setting if, and only if:

 (a) he or she is a resident of a *serviced apartment in the retirement village; and

 (b) there is in force a written agreement under which the operator of the retirement village provides daily meals and heavy laundry services to all of the residents of the apartment.

 (3B) However, services provided to a resident of a *serviced apartment in a *retirement village are not taken, for the purposes of paragraph (3)(a), to be provided in a residential setting if:

 (a) the *Aged Care Minister has determined in writing:

 (i) the levels of care services that residents of serviced apartments in retirement villages must require in order for subsection (3) to apply; and

 (ii) the way in which the levels of care services required by residents are to be assessed; and

 (b) the *Aged Care Secretary has not, in accordance with the determination, assessed the person to whom the services are provided as requiring the levels of care services so determined.

 (3C) A determination made for the purposes of paragraph (3B)(a) may be restricted to a specified class of residents of *serviced apartments in *retirement villages.

 (4) A supply of accommodation is GSTfree if it is made to a person in the course of making a supply to that person that is GSTfree under subsection (1), (2) or (3).

 (4A) A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is made to a person who is a person of a kind referred to in paragraph (3)(c); and

 (b) it is:

 (i) a supply, by way of lease, hire or licence, of *residential premises consisting of a *serviced apartment in a *retirement village; or

 (ii) a sale of *real property that is residential premises consisting of a serviced apartment in a retirement village; or

 (iii) a supply of an excluded security (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001) in respect of which the right to participate in a retirement village scheme (within the meaning of that Act) entitles the person to use or occupy a serviced apartment in a retirement village; and

 (c) in a case where:

 (i) a determination made for the purposes of paragraph (3B)(a) is in force; and

 (ii) the determination is not restricted under subsection (3C) in such a way that the determination excludes the person;

  the *Aged Care Secretary has, in accordance with the determination, assessed the person as requiring the levels of care services determined in the determination; and

 (d) it is made in connection with one or more supplies, or proposed supplies, to the person that are or will be GSTfree under subsection (3).

 (5) However, a supply of services that is covered by an extra services fee within the meaning of Division 35 of the Aged Care Act 1997 is only GSTfree under this section to the extent that the services are covered by Schedule 1 to the *Quality of Care Principles.

3830  Community care etc.

 (1) A supply of *community care is GSTfree if community care subsidy is payable under Part 32 of the Aged Care Act 1997 to the supplier for the care.

 (2) A supply of care is GSTfree if the supplier receives funding under the Home and Community Care Act 1985 in connection with the supply.

 (3) A supply of *community care is GSTfree if the supply is of services:

 (a) that are provided to one or more aged or disabled people; and

 (b) that are of a kind covered by item 2.1 (daily living activities assistance) of Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the *Quality of Care Principles.

 (4) A supply of care is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supplier receives funding from the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory in connection with the supply; and

 (b) the supply of the care is of a kind determined in writing by the *Aged Care Minister to be similar to a supply that is GSTfree because of subsection (2).

3835  Flexible care

  A supply of flexible care (within the meaning of section 493 of the Aged Care Act 1997) is GSTfree if flexible care subsidy is payable under Part 3.3 of that Act to the supplier for the care.

3840  Specialist disability services

  A supply of services is GSTfree if the supplier receives funding under the Disability Services Act 1986 or under a complementary *State law or *Territory law in respect of the services.

3845  Medical aids and appliances

 (1) A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is covered by Schedule 3 (medical aids and appliances), or specified in the regulations; and

 (b) the thing supplied is specifically designed for people with an illness or disability, and is not widely used by people without an illness or disability.

 (2) A supply is GSTfree if the thing supplied is supplied as a spare part for, and is specifically designed as a spare part for, another thing the supply of which would be GSTfree under subsection (1).

 (3) However, a supply is not GSTfree under subsection (1) or (2) if the supplier and the *recipient have agreed that the supply, or supplies of a kind that include that supply, not be treated as GSTfree supplies.

3847  Other GSTfree health goods

 (1) A supply is GSTfree if it is a supply of goods of a kind that the *Health Minister, by determination in writing, declares to be goods the supply of which is GSTfree.

 (2) However, a supply is not GSTfree under subsection (1) if the supplier and the *recipient have agreed that the supply, or supplies of a kind that include that supply, not be treated as GSTfree supplies.

3850  Drugs and medicinal preparations etc.

 (1) A supply of a drug or medicinal preparation is GSTfree if the supply is on prescription and:

 (a) under a *State law or a *Territory law in the State or Territory in which the supply takes place, supply of the drug or medicinal preparation is restricted, but may be supplied on prescription; or

 (b) the drug or medicinal preparation is a pharmaceutical benefit (within the meaning of Part VII of the National Health Act 1953).

 (2) A supply of a drug or medicinal preparation is GSTfree if, under a *State law or a *Territory law in the State or Territory in which it is supplied, the supply of the drug or medicinal preparation to an individual for private or domestic use or consumption is restricted but may be made by:

 (a) a *medical practitioner, *dental practitioner or pharmacist; or

 (b) any other person permitted by or under that law to do so.

 (3) Subsection (2) does not cover the supply of a drug or medicinal preparation of a kind specified in the regulations.

 (4) A supply of a drug, medicine or other pharmaceutical item is GSTfree if the supply is on prescription and:

 (a) it is supplied as a pharmaceutical benefit (within the meaning of section 91 of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986); and

 (b) it is supplied under an approved scheme (within the meaning of that section).

 (4A) A supply of a drug, medicine or other pharmaceutical item is GSTfree if the supply is on prescription and:

 (a) it is supplied as a pharmaceutical benefit (within the meaning of section 5 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004); and

 (b) it is supplied in accordance with a determination made under paragraph 286(1)(c) of that Act.

 (5) A supply of a drug or medicinal preparation is GSTfree if:

 (a) the drug or medicinal preparation is an analgesic that has a single active ingredient the supply of which as a drug or medicinal preparation would be GSTfree under subsection (2) if it were supplied in a larger quantity; and

 (b) the drug or medicinal preparation is of a kind the supply of which is declared by the *Health Minister to be GSTfree, by determination in writing.

 (6) A supply of a drug or medicinal preparation is GSTfree if:

 (a) the drug or medicinal preparation is the subject of an approval under paragraph 19(1)(a) of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, and any conditions to which the approval is subject have been complied with; or

 (b) the drug or medicinal preparation is supplied under an authority under subsection 19(5) of that Act, and the supply is in accordance with any regulations made for the purposes of subsection 19(7) of that Act; or

 (c) the drug or medicinal preparation is exempted from the operation of Part 3 of that Act under regulation 12A of the Therapeutic Goods Regulations.

 (7) A supply of a drug or medicinal preparation covered by this section is GSTfree if, and only if:

 (a) the drug or medicinal preparation is for human use or consumption; and

 (b) the supply is to an individual for private or domestic use or consumption.

3855  Private health insurance etc.

 (1) A supply of *private health insurance is GSTfree.

 (2) A supply of insurance against liability to pay for services supplied by ambulance is GSTfree.

 (3) However, a supply of reinsurance is not GSTfree under this section.

3860  Third party procured GSTfree health supplies

Insurers

 (1) If:

 (a) a supply is a supply of a service to an insurer; and

 (b) the service is the supplier making one or more other supplies of goods or services to an individual; and

 (c) at least one of the other supplies is:

 (i) wholly or partly *GSTfree under this Subdivision; and

 (ii) for settling one or more claims under an *insurance policy of which the insurer is an insurer;

the firstmentioned supply is GSTfree to the extent that the other supplies mentioned in paragraph (b) are GSTfree under this Subdivision.

Note: For subparagraph (c)(ii), the insurer may be an insurer of the policy because of a portfolio transfer (see section 78118).

Compulsory third party scheme operators

 (2) If:

 (a) a supply is a supply of a service to an *operator of a *compulsory third party scheme; and

 (b) the service is the supplier making one or more other supplies of goods or services to an individual; and

 (c) at least one of the other supplies is:

 (i) wholly or partly *GSTfree under this Subdivision; and

 (ii) made under the compulsory third party scheme;

the firstmentioned supply is GSTfree to the extent that the other supplies mentioned in paragraph (b) are GSTfree under this Subdivision.

Government agencies

 (3) If:

 (a) a supply is a supply of a service to an *Australian government agency; and

 (b) the service is the supplier making one or more other supplies of goods or services to an individual; and

 (c) at least one of the other supplies is wholly or partly *GSTfree under this Subdivision;

the firstmentioned supply is GSTfree to the extent that the other supplies mentioned in paragraph (b) are GSTfree under this Subdivision.

Parties may agree for supply not to be GSTfree

 (4) However, a supply is not GSTfree (to any extent) under this section if the supplier and the *recipient have agreed that the supply, or supplies of a kind that include that supply, not be treated as GSTfree supplies.

Subdivision 38CEducation

3885  Education courses

  A supply is GSTfree if it is a supply of:

 (a) an *education course; or

 (b) administrative services directly related to the supply of such a course, but only if they are supplied by the supplier of the course.

3890  Excursions or field trips

 (1) A supply is GSTfree if it is a supply of an excursion or field trip, but only if the excursion or field trip:

 (a) is directly related to the curriculum of an *education course; and

 (b) is not predominantly recreational.

 (2) However:

 (a) if the course is a *tertiary course, a *tertiary residential college course or a *professional or trade course—any supply of accommodation as part of the excursion or field trip is not GSTfree; and

 (b) in any case—any supply of *food as part of the excursion or field trip is not GSTfree under this section.

3895  Course materials

  A supply of *course materials for a subject undertaken in an *education course is GSTfree.

3897  Lease etc. of curriculum related goods

  A supply by way of lease or hire of goods is GSTfree if:

 (a) the goods are for use directly or principally by a student in undertaking a *preschool course, *primary course or *secondary course in which the student is enrolled; and

 (b) the entity supplying the course leases or hires the goods; and

 (c) at all times while the lease or hiring has effect, the entity supplying the course has the right to decide who uses goods and the use to which the goods are put; and

 (d) the lease or hiring is not part of an arrangement that includes:

 (i) a transfer of ownership of the goods; or

 (ii) an agreement to transfer ownership of the goods; or

 (iii) imposing an obligation, or conferring a right, to transfer ownership of the goods.

38100  Supplies that are not GSTfree

  To avoid doubt, the following supplies related to an *education course are not GSTfree:

 (a) a supply by way of sale, lease or hire of goods (other than *course materials covered by section 3895, or a supply by way of lease or hire that is covered by section 3897);

 (b) a supply of membership of a student organisation.

38105  Accommodation at boarding schools etc.

 (1) A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is a supply of *student accommodation to students undertaking a *primary course, a *secondary course or a *special education course; and

 (b) the supplier of the accommodation also supplies the course.

 (2) A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is a supply of *student accommodation to students who are undertaking a *primary course, a *secondary course or a *special education course; and

 (b) the accommodation is provided in a hostel whose primary purpose is to provide accommodation for students from rural or remote locations who are undertaking such courses.

 (3) Student accommodation means the right to occupy the whole or part of the premises used to provide the accommodation, including, if it is provided as part of the right so to occupy, the supply of:

 (a) cleaning and maintenance; or

 (b) electricity, gas, airconditioning or heating; or

 (c) telephone, television, radio or any other similar thing.

 (4) However, a supply is not GSTfree under subsection (1) or (2) to the extent that it consists of the supply of *food.

38110  Recognition of prior learning etc.

 (1) A supply is GSTfree if the supply is the assessment or issue of qualifications for the purpose of:

 (a) access to education; or

 (b) membership of a professional or trade association; or

 (c) registration or licensing for a particular occupation; or

 (d) employment.

 (2) However, a supply is not GSTfree under subsection (1) unless the supply is carried out by:

 (a) a professional or trade association; or

 (b) an *education institution; or

 (c) an entity that is registered by a training recognition authority of a State or Territory in accordance with the Australian Recognition Framework to provide skill recognition (assessment only) services; or

 (d) an authority of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; or

 (e) a local government body.

Subdivision 38DChild care

38140  Child care—registered carers under the family assistance law

  A supply is GSTfree if it is a supply of child care by a registered carer (within the meaning of section 3 of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999).

38145  Child care—approved child care services under the family assistance law

  A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is a supply of child care by an approved child care service (within the meaning of section 3 of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999); or

 (b) it is a supply of an excursion that is directly related to a supply of child care covered by paragraph (a).

38150  Other child care

  A supply is GSTfree if it is a supply of child care by a supplier that is eligible for funding (whether or not in respect of that particular supply) from the Commonwealth under guidelines made by the *Child Care Minister that relate to the funding of:

 (a) family day care; or

 (b) occasional care; or

 (c) outside school hours care; or

 (d) vacation care; or

 (e) any other type of care determined in writing by that Minister.

38155  Supplies directly related to child care that is GSTfree

  A supply is GSTfree if it is a supply that is directly related to a supply of child care that is:

 (a) GSTfree because of section 38140, 38145 or 38150; and

 (b) supplied by, or on behalf of, the supplier of the child care.

Subdivision 38EExports and other supplies for consumption outside Australia

38185  Exports of goods

 (1) The third column of this table sets out supplies that are GSTfree:

 

GSTfree exports of goods

Item

Topic

These supplies are GSTfree ...

1

Export of goods—general

a supply of goods, but only if the supplier exports them from Australia before, or within 60 days (or such further period as the Commissioner allows) after:

(a) the day on which the supplier receives any of the *consideration for the supply; or

(b) if, on an earlier day, the supplier gives an *invoice for the supply—the day on which the supplier gives the invoice.

2

Export of goods—supplies paid for by instalments

a supply of goods for which the *consideration is provided in instalments under a contract that requires the goods to be exported, but only if the supplier exports them from Australia before, or within 60 days (or such further period as the Commissioner allows) after:

(a) the day on which the supplier receives any of the final instalment of the consideration for the supply; or

(b) if, on an earlier day, the supplier gives an *invoice for that final instalment—the day on which the supplier gives the invoice.

2A

Export of goods—supplies to associates without consideration

a supply of goods without *consideration to an *associate of the supplier, but only if the supplier exports them from Australia.

3

Export of aircraft or ships

a supply of an aircraft or *ship, but only if the recipient of the aircraft or ship exports it from Australia under its own power within 60 days (or such further period as the Commissioner allows) after taking physical possession of it.

4

Export of aircraft or ships—paid for by instalments

a supply of an aircraft or *ship for which the *consideration is provided in instalments under a contract that requires the aircraft or ship to be exported, but only if the *recipient exports it from Australia before, or within 60 days (or such further period as the Commissioner allows) after, the earliest day on which one or more of the following occurs:

(a) the supplier receives any of the final instalment of the consideration for the supply;

(b) the supplier gives an *invoice for that final instalment;

(c) the supplier delivers the aircraft or ship to the recipient or (at the recipient’s request) to another person.

4A

Export of new recreational boats

a supply of a *ship, but only if:

(a) the ship is a *new recreational boat on the earliest day (the receipt day) on which one or more of the following occurs:

(i) the *recipient takes physical possession of the ship;

(ii) if *consideration for the supply is provided in instalments under a contract that requires the ship to be exported—the supplier receives any of the final instalment;

(iii) if consideration for the supply is provided in instalments under a contract that requires the ship to be exported—the supplier gives an *invoice for the final instalment; and

(b) the supplier or recipient exports the ship from Australia within 12 months (or such further period as the Commissioner allows) after the receipt day; and

(c) subsection (6) does not apply at any time during the period:

(i) starting on the receipt day; and

(ii) ending when the supplier or recipient exports the ship.

5

Export of goods that are to be consumed on international flights or voyages

a supply of:

(a) *aircraft’s stores, or spare parts, for use, consumption or sale on an aircraft on a flight that has a destination outside Australia; or

(b) *ship’s stores, or spare parts, for use, consumption or sale on a *ship on a voyage that has a destination outside Australia;

whether or not part of the flight or voyage involves a journey between places in Australia.

6

Export of goods used to repair etc. imported goods

a supply of goods in the course of repairing, renovating, modifying or treating other goods from outside Australia whose destination is outside Australia, but only if:

(a) the goods are attached to, or become part of, the other goods; or

(b) the goods become unusable or worthless as a direct result of being used to repair, renovate, modify or treat the other goods.

7

Goods exported by travellers as accompanied baggage

a supply of goods to a *relevant traveller, but only if:

(a) the supply is made in accordance with the rules specified in the regulations; and

(b) the goods are exported as accompanied baggage of the relevant traveller.

 (2) However, a supply covered by any of items 1 to 6 in the table in subsection (1) is not GSTfree if the supplier reimports the goods into Australia.

 (3) Without limiting items 1 and 2 in the table in subsection (1), a supplier of goods is treated, for the purposes of those items, as having exported the goods from Australia if:

 (a) before the goods are exported, the supplier supplies them to an entity that is not *registered or *required to be registered; and

 (b) that entity exports the goods from Australia; and

 (c) the goods have been entered for export within the meaning of section 113 of the Customs Act 1901; and

 (d) since their supply to that entity, the goods have not been altered or used in any way, except to the extent (if any) necessary to prepare them for export; and

 (e) the supplier has sufficient documentary evidence to show that the goods were exported; and

 (f) if that entity is covered by paragraph 1685(1A)(c)—the supplier has a declaration by that entity stating that:

 (i) a payment has not been sought under section 1685 for the supply; and

 (ii) if the goods are wine (within the meaning of the *Wine Tax Act)—a payment has not been sought under section 255 of that Act for the supply.

However, if the goods are reimported into Australia, the supply is not GSTfree unless the reimportation is a *taxable importation.

Note: The entity will be covered by paragraph 1685(1A)(c) if the entity is an individual who resides in an external Territory.

 (4) Without limiting item 2A in the table in subsection (1), a supplier of goods is treated, for the purposes of that item, as having exported the goods from Australia if:

 (a) before the goods are exported, the supplier supplies them to an entity that:

 (i) is an *associate of the supplier; and

 (ii) is not *registered or *required to be registered; and

 (b) the associate exports the goods from Australia within 60 days (or such further period as the Commissioner allows) after the earlier of the following:

 (i) the day the goods were delivered in Australia to the associate;

 (ii) the day the goods were made available in Australia to the associate; and

 (c) the goods have been entered for export within the meaning of section 113 of the Customs Act 1901; and

 (d) since their supply to the associate, the goods have not been altered or used in any way, except to the extent (if any) necessary to prepare them for export; and

 (e) the supplier has sufficient documentary evidence to show that the goods were exported; and

 (f) if the associate is covered by paragraph 1685(1A)(c)—the supplier has a declaration by the associate stating that:

 (i) a payment has not been sought under section 1685 for the supply; and

 (ii) if the goods are wine (within the meaning of the *Wine Tax Act)—a payment has not been sought under section 255 of that Act for the supply.

However, if the goods are reimported into Australia, the supply is not GSTfree unless the reimportation is a *taxable importation.

Note: The associate will be covered by paragraph 1685(1A)(c) if the associate is an individual who resides in an external Territory.

Export of new recreational boats

 (5) For the purposes of item 4A of the table in subsection (1), the *ship is a new recreational boat if the ship:

 (a) has not been substantially reconstructed; and

 (b) has not been sold, leased or used since the completion of its construction, except in connection with:

 (i) the supply or acquisition of the ship as stock held for the purpose of sale or exchange in *carrying on an *enterprise; or

 (ii) the supply mentioned in that item, or the acquisition of the ship by the *recipient as mentioned in that item; and

 (c) was designed, and is fitted out, principally for use in activities done as private recreational pursuits or hobbies; and

 (d) is not a commercial ship.

 (6) For the purposes of item 4A in the table in subsection (1), this subsection applies if, apart from use of the *ship by the supplier in connection with the supply of the ship to the *recipient, the *ship is used:

 (a) as security for the performance of an obligation (other than an obligation relating to the acquisition of the ship); or

 (b) in *carrying on an *enterprise in Australia; or

 (c) in Australia in carrying on an enterprise outside Australia, not including use that involves the ship being used:

 (i) in a way that is private or domestic in nature; or

 (ii) in an activity, or series of activities, done as a private recreational pursuit or hobby; or

Example: Allowing an employee to live on the ship, or to take the ship on a fishing trip.

 (d) for *consideration, unless the consideration:

 (i) consists of the provision of services by an employee of an enterprise carried on by the *recipient outside Australia; or

 (ii) is in respect of the recipient competing in a race or other sporting event (e.g. a prize).

38187  Lease etc. of goods for use outside Australia

  A supply of goods is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supply is by way of lease or hire; and

 (b) the goods are used outside Australia.

Note: If goods are leased or hired and used partly in Australia and partly outside Australia, the supply could be taxable to the extent that the goods are used in Australia (see section 95).

38188  Tooling used by nonresidents to manufacture goods for export

  A supply of goods is GSTfree if:

 (a) the *recipient of the supply is a *nonresident, and is not *registered or *required to be registered; and

 (b) the goods are jigs, patterns, templates, dies, punches and similar machine tools to be used in Australia solely to manufacture goods that will be for export from Australia.

38190  Supplies of things, other than goods or real property, for consumption outside Australia

 (1) The third column of this table sets out supplies that are GSTfree (except to the extent that they are supplies of goods or *real property):

 

Supplies of things, other than goods or real property, for consumption outside Australia

Item

Topic

These supplies are GSTfree (except to the extent that they are supplies of goods or *real property)...

1

Supply connected with property outside Australia

a supply that is directly connected with goods or real property situated outside Australia.

2

Supply to *nonresident outside Australia.

a supply that is made to a *nonresident who is not in Australia when the thing supplied is done, and:

(a) the supply is neither a supply of work physically performed on goods situated in Australia when the work is done nor a supply directly connected with *real property situated in Australia; or

(b) the *nonresident acquires the thing in *carrying on the nonresident’s *enterprise, but is not *registered or *required to be registered.

3

Supplies used or enjoyed outside Australia

a supply:

(a) that is made to a *recipient who is not in Australia when the thing supplied is done; and

(b) the effective use or enjoyment of which takes place outside Australia;

other than a supply of work physically performed on goods situated in Australia when the thing supplied is done, or a supply directly connected with *real property situated in Australia.

4

Rights

a supply that is made in relation to rights if:

(a) the rights are for use outside Australia; or

(b) the supply is to an entity that is not an *Australian resident and is outside Australia when the thing supplied is done.

5

Export of services used to repair etc. imported goods

a supply that is constituted by the repair, renovation, modification or treatment of goods from outside Australia whose destination is outside Australia.

 (2) However, a supply covered by any of items 1 to 5 in the table in subsection (1) is not GSTfree if it is the supply of a right or option to acquire something the supply of which would be *connected with Australia and would not be *GSTfree.

 (2A) A supply covered by any of items 2 to 4 in the table in subsection (1) is not *GSTfree if the acquisition of the supply relates (whether directly or indirectly, or wholly or partly) to the making of a supply of *real property situated in Australia that would be, wholly or partly, *input taxed under Subdivision 40B or 40C.

Note: Subdivision 40B deals with the supply of premises (including a berth at a marina) by way of lease, hire or licence. Subdivision 40C deals with the sale of residential premises and the supply of residential premises by way of longterm lease.

 (3) Without limiting subsection (2) or (2A), a supply covered by item 2 in that table is not GSTfree if:

 (a) it is a supply under an agreement entered into, whether directly or indirectly, with a *nonresident; and

 (b) the supply is provided, or the agreement requires it to be provided, to another entity in Australia.

 (4) A supply is taken, for the purposes of item 3 in that table, to be a supply made to a *recipient who is not in Australia if:

 (a) it is a supply under an agreement entered into, whether directly or indirectly, with an *Australian resident; and

 (b) the supply is provided, or the agreement requires it to be provided, to another entity outside Australia.

 (5) Subsection (4) does not apply to any of the following supplies:

 (a) a transport of goods within Australia that is part of, or is connected with, the *international transport of the goods;

 (b) a loading or handling of goods within Australia that is part of, or is connected with, the international transport of the goods;

 (c) a service, done within Australia, in relation to the goods that facilitates the international transport of the goods;

Example: The services of a customs broker in processing the information necessary for the clearance of goods into home consumption.

 (d) insuring transport covered by paragraph (a);

 (e) arranging transport covered by paragraph (a), or insurance covered by paragraph (d).

Note: The supply might still be GSTfree under item 5, 5A, 6 or 7 in the table in subsection 38355(1).

Subdivision 38FReligious services

38220  Religious services

  A supply is GSTfree if it is a supply of service that:

 (a) is supplied by a *ACNCregistered religious institution; and

 (b) is integral to the practice of that religion.

Subdivision 38GActivities of charities etc.

38250  Nominal consideration etc.

 (1) A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supplier is an *endorsed charity, a *giftdeductible entity or a *government school; and

 (b) the supply is for *consideration that:

 (i) if the supply is a supply of accommodation—is less than 75% of the *GST inclusive market value of the supply; or

 (ii) if the supply is not a supply of accommodation—is less than 50% of the GST inclusive market value of the supply.

 (2) A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supplier is an *endorsed charity, a *giftdeductible entity or a *government school; and

 (b) the supply is for *consideration that:

 (i) if the supply is a supply of accommodation—is less than 75% of the cost to the supplier of providing the accommodation; or

 (ii) if the supply is not a supply of accommodation—is less than 75% of the consideration the supplier provided, or was liable to provide, for acquiring the thing supplied.

 (4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a supply by a *giftdeductible entity endorsed as a deductible gift recipient (within the meaning of the *ITAA 1997) under section 30120 of the ITAA 1997, unless:

 (a) the supplier is:

 (i) an *endorsed charity; or

 (ii) a *government school; or

 (iii) a fund, authority or institution of a kind referred to in paragraph 30125(1)(b) of the ITAA 1997; or

 (b) each purpose to which the supply relates is a *giftdeductible purpose of the supplier.

Note: This subsection denies GSTfree status under this section to supplies by certain (but not all) giftdeductible entities that are only endorsed for the operation of a fund, authority or institution. However, supplies can be GSTfree under this section if they relate to the principal purpose of the fund, authority or institution.

38255  Secondhand goods

 (1) A supply of *secondhand goods is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supplier is an *endorsed charity, a *giftdeductible entity or a *government school; and

 (b) the goods were supplied to the endorsed charity, giftdeductible entity or government school:

 (i) as a gift; or

 (ii) by way of a supply that was GSTfree because of a previous application of this section.

However, the supply is not GSTfree if the endorsed charity, giftdeductible entity or government school has dealt with the goods in such a way that the goods no longer have their original character.

 (3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a supply by a *giftdeductible entity endorsed as a deductible gift recipient (within the meaning of the *ITAA 1997) under section 30120 of the ITAA 1997, unless:

 (a) the supplier is:

 (i) an *endorsed charity; or

 (ii) a *government school; or

 (iii) a fund, authority or institution of a kind referred to in paragraph 30125(1)(b) of the ITAA 1997; or

 (b) each purpose to which the supply relates is a *giftdeductible purpose of the supplier.

Note: This subsection denies GSTfree status under this section to supplies by certain (but not all) giftdeductible entities that are only endorsed for the operation of a fund, authority or institution. However, supplies can be GSTfree under this section if they relate to the principal purpose of the fund, authority or institution.

38260  Supplies of retirement village accommodation etc.

  A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supplier is an *endorsed charity that operates a *retirement village; and

 (b) the supply is made to a resident of the retirement village; and

 (c) the supply is:

 (i) a supply of accommodation in the retirement village, or a supply of a service related to the supply of the accommodation; or

 (ii) a supply of meals.

38270  Raffles and bingo conducted by charities etc.

 (1) A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supplier is an *endorsed charity, a *giftdeductible entity or a *government school; and

 (b) the supply is:

 (i) a supply of a ticket in a raffle; or

 (ii) an acceptance of a person’s participation in a game of bingo; or

 (iii) a *gambling supply of a kind specified in the regulations; and

 (c) the supply does not contravene a *State law or a *Territory law.

 (3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a supply by a *giftdeductible entity endorsed as a deductible gift recipient (within the meaning of the *ITAA 1997) under section 30120 of the ITAA 1997, unless:

 (a) the supplier is:

 (i) an *endorsed charity; or

 (ii) a *government school; or

 (iii) a fund, authority or institution of a kind referred to in paragraph 30125(1)(b) of the ITAA 1997; or

 (b) each purpose to which the supply relates is a *giftdeductible purpose of the supplier.

Note: This subsection denies GSTfree status under this section to supplies by certain (but not all) giftdeductible entities that are only endorsed for the operation of a fund, authority or institution. However, supplies can be GSTfree under this section if they relate to the principal purpose of the fund, authority or institution.

Subdivision 38IWater, sewerage and drainage

38285  Water

 (1) A supply of water is GSTfree.

 (2) However, a supply of water is not GSTfree under this section if it is:

 (a) supplied in a container; or

 (b) transferred into a container;

that has a capacity of less than 100 litres or such other quantity as the regulations specify.

 (3) It does not matter whether or not the amount of water supplied or transferred fills the container.

38290  Sewerage and seweragelike services

 (1) A supply of sewerage services is GSTfree.

 (2) A supply that consists of removing waste matter from *residential premises is GSTfree if:

 (a) the premises are not serviced by sewers; and

 (b) the waste matter is of a kind that would normally be removed using sewers if the premises were serviced by sewers.

 (3) A supply that consists of servicing a domestic selfcontained sewage system is GSTfree.

38295  Emptying of septic tanks

  A supply of a service that consists of the emptying of a septic tank is GSTfree.

38300  Drainage

  A supply of a service that consists of draining storm water is GSTfree.

Subdivision 38JSupplies of going concerns

38325  Supply of a going concern

 (1) The *supply of a going concern is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supply is for *consideration; and

 (b) the *recipient is *registered or *required to be registered; and

 (c) the supplier and the recipient have agreed in writing that the supply is of a going concern.

 (2) A supply of a going concern is a supply under an arrangement under which:

 (a) the supplier supplies to the *recipient all of the things that are necessary for the continued operation of an *enterprise; and

 (b) the supplier carries on, or will carry on, the enterprise until the day of the supply (whether or not as a part of a larger enterprise carried on by the supplier).

Subdivision 38KTransport and related matters

38355  Supplies of transport and related matters

 (1) The third column of this table sets out supplies that are GSTfree:

 

Supplies of transport and related matters

Item

Topic

These supplies are GSTfree ...

1

Transport of passengers to, from or outside Australia

the transport of a passenger:

(a) from the last place of departure in Australia to a destination outside Australia; or

(b) from a place outside Australia to the first place of arrival in Australia; or

(c) from a place outside Australia to the same or another place outside Australia.

2

Transport of passengers on domestic legs of international flights

the transport of a passenger within Australia by air, but only if:

(a) the transport is part of a wider arrangement, itinerary or contract for transport by air involving international travel; and

(b) at the time the arrangement, itinerary or contract was entered into, the transport within Australia formed part of a ticket for international travel, or was cross referenced to such a ticket, issued at that time.

3

Domestic air travel of nonresidents

the transport of a passenger within Australia by air, but only if:

(a) the passenger is a *nonresident; and

(b) the supply was purchased while the passenger was outside Australia.

4

Transport of passengers on domestic legs of international sea voyages

the transport of a passenger within Australia by sea, but only if:

(a) the transport is part of a journey by sea from Australia to a destination outside Australia, or from a destination outside Australia to Australia; and

(b) the transport is provided by the supplier who transports the passenger to or from Australia.

5

Transport etc. of goods

subject to subsection (2), the *international transport of goods:

(a) from their *place of export in Australia to a destination outside Australia; or

(b) from a place outside Australia to their *place of consignment in Australia; or

(c) from a place outside Australia to the same or another place outside Australia.

5A

Loading or handling etc.

subject to subsection (2):

(a) loading or handling of goods, the *international transport of which is covered by item 5, during the course of the international transport; or

(b) supply of a service, during the course of the international transport of goods covered by item 5, that facilitates the international transport.

6

Insuring transport etc.

(a) insuring transport covered by item 1, 2, 3 or 4; or

(b) insuring the *international transport of goods from their *place of export in Australia to a destination outside Australia; or

(c) insuring:

(i) the transport of goods from a place outside Australia to their *place of consignment in Australia; and

(ii) the subsequent transport of those goods within Australia, if it is an integral part of the transport of goods from the place outside Australia to the place of consignment in Australia;

including loading and handling within Australia that is part of that transport; or

(d) insuring the transport of goods from a place outside Australia to the same or another place outside Australia.

7

Arranging transport etc.

(a) arranging transport covered by item 1, 2, 3 or 4; or

(b) arranging the *international transport of goods covered by item 5; or

(c) arranging insurance covered by item 6.

 (2) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of item 5, and item 5A, in the table in subsection (1) do not apply to a supply to the extent that the thing supplied is done in Australia, unless:

 (a) the *recipient of the supply:

 (i) is a *nonresident; and

 (ii) is not in Australia when the thing supplied is done in Australia; or

 (b) the supply is done by the supplier of the transport of the goods from or to Australia (whichever is relevant).

38360  Travel agents arranging overseas supplies

  A supply is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supplier makes it in the course of *carrying on an *enterprise as a travel agent; and

 (b) it consists of arranging for the making of a supply, the effective use or enjoyment of which is to take place outside Australia.

Subdivision 38LPrecious metals

38385  Supplies of precious metals

  A supply of *precious metal is GSTfree if:

 (a) it is the first supply of that precious metal after its refining by, or on behalf of, the supplier; and

 (b) the entity that refined the precious metal is a *refiner of precious metal; and

 (c) the *recipient of the supply is a *dealer in precious metal.

Note: Any other supply of precious metal is input taxed under section 40100.

Subdivision 38MSupplies through inwards duty free shops

38415  Supplies through inwards duty free shops

  A supply is GSTfree if the supply is a sale of *airport shop goods through an *inwards duty free shop to a *relevant traveller.

Subdivision 38NGrants of land by governments

38445  Grants of freehold and similar interests by governments

 (1) A supply by the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory of land on which there are no improvements is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supply is of a freehold interest in the land; or

 (b) the supply is by way of *longterm lease.

 (1A) A supply by the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory of land is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supply is of a freehold interest in the land, or is by way of *longterm lease; and

 (b) the Commonwealth, State or Territory had previously supplied the land, by way of lease, to the *recipient of the supply; and

 (c) at the time of that previous supply, there were no improvements on the land; and

 (d) because conditions to which that lease was subject had been satisfied, the recipient was entitled to the supply of the freehold interest or the supply by way of longterm lease.

 (2) However, the supply is not GSTfree if, since 1 July 2000, the land has already been the subject of a supply that is GSTfree under this section.

38450  Leases preceding grants of freehold and similar interests by governments

 (1) A supply by the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory of land on which there are no improvements is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supply is by way of lease (other than *longterm lease); and

 (b) the lease is subject to conditions the satisfaction of which will entitle the *recipient of the supply to the grant of a freehold interest in the land or a longterm lease of the land.

 (2) A supply consisting of the surrender, to the Commonwealth, a State or Territory, of a lease over land is GSTfree if:

 (a) the supplier acquired the land under a supply that:

 (i) was GSTfree under subsection (1); or

 (ii) if the supply was made before 1 July 2000—would have been GSTfree under subsection (1) if it had been made on or after that day; and

 (b) solely or partly in return for the surrender of the lease, the Commonwealth, State or Territory makes a supply of the land to the supplier that is GSTfree under section 38445.

Subdivision 38OFarm land

38475  Subdivided farm land

 (1) The supply of a freehold interest in, or the lease by an *Australian government agency of or the *long term lease of, *potential residential land is GSTfree if:

 (a) the land is subdivided from land on which a *farming business has been *carried on for at least 5 years; and

 (b) the supply is made to an *associate of the supplier of the land without *consideration or for consideration that is less than the *GST inclusive market value of the supply.

 (2) An entity *carries on a farming business if it carries on a *business of:

 (a) cultivating or propagating plants, fungi or their products or parts (including seeds, spores, bulbs and similar things), in any physical environment; or

 (b) maintaining animals for the purpose of selling them or their bodily produce (including natural increase); or

 (c) manufacturing dairy produce from raw material that the entity produced; or

 (d) planting or tending trees in a plantation or forest that are intended to be felled.

38480  Farm land supplied for farming

  The supply of a freehold interest in, or the lease by an *Australian government agency of or the *long term lease of, land is GSTfree if:

 (a) the land is land on which a *farming business has been *carried on for at least the period of 5 years preceding the supply; and

 (b) the *recipient of the supply intends that a farming business be carried on, on the land.

Subdivision 38PCars for use by disabled people

38505  Disabled veterans

 (1) A supply is GSTfree if it is a supply of a *car to an individual who:

 (a) has served in the Defence Force or in any other armed force of Her Majesty; and

 (b) as a result of that service:

 (i) has lost a leg or both arms; or

 (ii) has had a leg, or both arms, rendered permanently and completely useless; or

 (iii) is a veteran to whom section 24 of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 applies and receives a pension under Part II of that Act; or

 (iv) is receiving a Special Rate Disability Pension under Part 6 of Chapter 4 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, or satisfies the eligibility criteria in section 199 of that Act; and

 (c) intends to use the car in his or her personal transportation during all of the *Subdivision 38P period.

 (2) However, a supply covered by subsection (1) is not GSTfree to the extent that the *GST inclusive market value of the *car exceeds the *car limit.

 (3) In working out the *GST inclusive market value of the *car for the purposes of subsection (2), disregard any value that is attributable to modifications made to the car solely for the purpose of:

 (a) adapting it for driving by the person; or

 (b) adapting it for transporting the person.

 (4) A supply is GSTfree if it is a supply of *car parts that are for a *car for an individual to whom paragraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c) apply.

38510  Other disabled people

 (1) A supply is GSTfree if it is a supply of a *car to an individual who:

 (a) has a current disability certificate issued by:

 (i) the person holding the position of Managing Director of the nominated company (within the meaning of Part 2 of the Hearing Services and AGHS Reform Act 1997); or

 (ii) an officer or employee of that company who is authorised in writing by the Managing Director for the purposes of this section;

  certifying that the individual has lost the use of one or more limbs to such an extent that he or she is unable to use public transport; and

 (b) intends to use the car in his or her personal transportation to or from gainful employment during all of the *Subdivision 38P period.

 (2) However, a supply covered by subsection (1) is not GSTfree to the extent that the *GST inclusive market value of the *car exceeds the *car limit.

 (3) In working out the *GST inclusive market value of the *car for the purposes of subsection (2), disregard any value that is attributable to modifications made to the car solely for the purpose of:

 (a) adapting it for driving by the individual; or

 (b) adapting it for transporting the individual.

 (4) A supply is GSTfree if it is a supply of *car parts that are for a *car for an individual to whom paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) applies.

Subdivision 38QInternational mail

38540  International mail