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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
1996-97-98
The Parliament of
the
Commonwealth of
Australia
HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
Presented and read a first
time
Social
Security and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Retirement
Assistance for Farmers) Bill 1998
No. ,
1998
(Social
Security)
A Bill for an Act to amend the
Social Security Act 1991 and the Veterans’ Entitlements Act
1986, and for related purposes
9801820—3,147/10.3.1998—(18/98) Cat.
No. 97 2741 8 ISBN 0644 516550
Contents
A Bill for an Act to amend the Social Security Act
1991 and the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, and for related
purposes
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
This Act may be cited as the Social Security and Veterans’
Affairs Legislation Amendment (Retirement Assistance for Farmers) Act
1998.
This Act is taken to have commenced on 15 September 1997.
Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or
repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any
other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its
terms.
1 Section 3 (index)
Insert in their appropriate alphabetical position, determined on a
letter-by-letter basis:
|
eligible descendant |
17A(1) |
|---|---|
|
eligible former partner of a qualifying farmer |
17A(2) |
|
farm |
17A(1) |
|
farm enterprise |
17A(1) |
|
proprietary company |
17A(1) |
|
qualifying farmer |
17A(3) and (4) |
|
qualifying interest |
17A(5) and (6) |
|
relevant farm asset |
17A(1) |
|
relevant State land law |
17A(1) |
|
transfer |
17A(7), (8), (9), (10) and (11) |
2 Subsection 9(1)
Insert:
deprived asset has the meaning given by subsection
(4).
3 Before subsection 9(5)
Insert:
(4) For the purposes of this Act, an asset is a deprived
asset if:
(a) a person has disposed of the asset; and
(b) the value of the asset is included in the value of the person’s
assets by section 1124A, 1125, 1125A or 1126.
4 After subsection 12A(2)
Insert:
(2A) Subsection (2) does not apply:
(a) to a person to whom Part 3.14A applies because the person has
transferred his or her qualifying interest in a farm in accordance with
paragraph 1185B(1)(a) or (2)(a); or
(b) if the person’s partner has transferred by way of
gift:
(i) to an eligible descendant of the person; or
(ii) jointly to an eligible descendant of the person and to the
descendant’s partner;
his or her qualifying interest in a farm—to the person’s
partner;
if the person or the person’s partner (as the case may be), on so
transferring his or her qualifying interest in the farm, has retained a life
interest in the dwelling house on the farm, and in the adjacent private land,
that constitute his or her principal home.
5 After section 17
Insert:
(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
eligible descendant, in relation to a person,
means:
(a) a child, step child or adopted child of the person or of a partner of
the person; or
(b) a descendant in direct line of a child described in paragraph (a);
or
(c) any other person who, in the opinion of the Secretary, should be
treated for the purposes of this definition as a person described in paragraph
(a) or (b).
eligible former partner of a qualifying farmer has the
meaning given by subsection (2).
farm means any land that is used:
(a) for the purposes of a farm enterprise; or
(b) in connection with a farm enterprise.
farm enterprise means an enterprise carried on within any of
the agricultural, horticultural, pastoral or aquacultural industries.
proprietary company has the meaning that it has in the
Corporations Law.
qualifying farmer has the meaning given by subsections (3)
and (4).
qualifying interest has the meaning given by subsections (5)
and (6).
relevant farm asset, in relation to a farm, means any
livestock, crop, plant or equipment that is a produce of, or is used for the
purposes of, the farm enterprise.
relevant State land law means any of the following
laws:
(a) the Real Property Act 1900 of New South Wales;
(b) the Transfer of Land Act 1958 of Victoria;
(c) the Land Title Act 1994 of Queensland;
(d) the Transfer of Land Act 1893 of Western Australia;
(e) the Real Property Act, 1886 of South Australia;
(f) the Land Titles Act 1980 of Tasmania;
(g) the Real Property Act 1925 of the Australian Capital Territory;
(h) the Real Property Act of the Northern Territory;
(i) a law of a Territory (other than the Australian Capital Territory or
the Northern Territory) making similar provision for the registration of
dealings with land as the laws mentioned above.
transfer:
(a) in relation to a qualifying interest in a farm—has the meaning
given by subsections (7), (8), (10) and (11); or
(b) in relation to a qualifying interest in a relevant farm
asset—has the meaning given by subsections (9) and (11).
(2) A person is an eligible former partner of a qualifying farmer
if:
(a) the person was, but no longer is (whether because of death or any
other reason), the partner of another person; and
(b) on the day on which the person ceased to be the partner of the other
person, the other person was a qualifying farmer; and
(c) after ceasing to be the partner of the other person, the person has
not again become a member of a couple; and
(d) the person has a qualifying interest in a farm or farms in which the
other person had a qualifying interest.
Note: For qualifying interest see subsection
(5).
(3) A person is a qualifying farmer if:
(a) the person has, has not ceased to have, and has continuously had for a
period of at least 15 years, a qualifying interest in a farm; and
(b) during a period of 15 years, the person or the person’s
partner:
(i) has contributed a significant part of his or her labour and capital to
the development of a farm or farms; and
(ii) has derived a significant part of his or her income from that farm or
those farms.
Note: For qualifying interest see subsection
(5).
(4) A person is also a qualifying farmer if:
(a) the person has a qualifying interest in one or more than one farm;
and
(b) the qualifying interest in the farm, or each of the farms, was
acquired by the person before 15 September 1997; and
(c) the person or the person’s partner or former partner has been
involved in farming in Australia for a continuous period of 20 years, or for
periods that together add up to 20 years, by:
(i) contributing a significant part of his or her labour to farm
enterprises; and
(ii) deriving a significant part of his or her income from farm
enterprises.
Note: For qualifying interest see subsection
(5).
(5) A person has a qualifying interest in a farm
if:
(a) the person has a legal estate or interest in the farm; or
(b) the person has a transferable legal right or a transferable licence to
occupy the farm for a particular purpose of the farm enterprise; or
(c) as the mortgagor of a legal estate or interest in the farm (being an
estate or interest that is not registered under a relevant State land law), the
person has an equitable estate or interest in the farm; or
(d) the person is a shareholder in a proprietary company that has a legal
estate or interest in the farm.
(6) A person has a qualifying interest in a relevant farm
asset if the person:
(a) has a legal interest in the farm asset; or
(b) is a shareholder in a proprietary company that has a legal estate or
interest in the farm asset.
(7) Subject to subsections (8), (10) and (11), a qualifying interest that
a person has in a farm is transferred to another person if, and
only if, the qualifying interest:
(a) ceases to be vested in the person; and
(b) becomes vested in the other person.
(8) To avoid any doubt, it is stated that if a person who transfers a
legal estate or interest in a farm to another person is, under a relevant State
land law, registered as being the proprietor (whether that word or any other
word is used) of that estate or interest, the legal estate or interest in the
farm is taken not to have become vested in the other person unless and until the
transfer is registered in accordance with that law.
Note: For relevant State land law see
subsection (1).
(9) Subject to subsection (11), a qualifying interest that a person has in
a relevant farm asset is transferred to another person if, and
only if, the qualifying interest:
(a) ceases to be vested in the person; and
(b) becomes vested in the other person.
(10) If, as the mortgagor of a legal estate or interest in a farm (see
paragraph (5)(c)), a person has a qualifying interest in the farm, the person is
taken to have transferred that qualifying interest in the farm to
another person only if the person:
(a) has, under a relevant State land law, become registered as the
proprietor (whether that word or any other word is used) of the legal estate or
interest in the farm; and
(b) has then transferred that legal estate or interest to the other
person.
(11) If a person has a qualifying interest in a farm or a relevant farm
asset because (see paragraphs (5)(d) and (6)(b)) the person is a shareholder in
a proprietary company that has a legal estate or interest in the farm, or a
legal interest in the relevant farm asset (as the case may be), the person is
taken to have transferred to another person his or her qualifying
interest in the farm or relevant farm asset only if the person:
(a) has acquired the company’s legal estate or interest in the farm
or the company’s legal interest in the relevant farm asset; and
(b) has then transferred it to the other person.
6 Subsection 23(1) (definition of pension
age)
Repeal the definition, substitute:
pension age:
(a) when used in Part 3.14A in relation to a person who is a veteran
(within the meaning of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act)—has the
meaning that it has in section 5QA of that Act; or
(b) otherwise—has the meaning given by subsections (5A), (5B), (5C)
or (5D).
7 At the end of subsection
1074(2)
Add:
Note: Different provisions apply when working out a
person’s ordinary income from a farm to find whether the person satisfies
the farmers’ income test for the purposes of Part 3.14A (see subparagraph
1185K(3)(a)(ii) and paragraph 1185K(3)(c)).
8 At the end of subsection
1075(1)
Add:
Note: Different provisions apply when working out a
person’s ordinary income from a farm to find whether the person satisfies
the farmers’ income test for the purposes of Part 3.14A (see subparagraph
1185K(3)(a)(ii) and paragraph 1185K(3)(c)).
9 At the end of subsection
1076(1)
Add:
Note: The whole of Division 1B does not apply when working
out a person’s ordinary income to find whether the person satisfies the
farmers’ income test for the purposes of Part 3.14A (see paragraphs
1185K(2)(a) and (3)(a)).
10 At the end of subsection
1077(1)
Add:
Note: The whole of Division 1B does not apply when working
out a person’s ordinary income to find whether the person satisfies the
farmers’ income test for the purposes of Part 3.14A (see paragraphs
1185K(2)(a) and (3)(a)).
11 At the end of subsection
1078(1)
Add:
Note: The whole of Division 1B does not apply when working
out a person’s ordinary income to find whether the person satisfies the
farmers’ income test for the purposes of Part 3.14A (see paragraphs
1185K(2)(a) and (3)(a)).
12 At the end of subsection
1083(1)
Add:
Note: When working out a person’s ordinary income to
find whether the person satisfies the farmers’ income test for the
purposes of Part 3.14A, actual returns on financial assets are taken to be
ordinary income (see paragraphs 1185K(2)(b) and (3)(b)).
13 At the end of subsection
1123(1)
Add:
Note: If Part 3.14A applies in relation to the transfer by a
person of a legal estate or interest in a farm or relevant farm asset, that
transfer and certain transfers by the person’s partner are taken not to be
disposal of assets (see section 1185D).
14 After Part 3.14
Insert:
This Part deals with the transfer of farming interests to family members
of a younger generation. The purpose of the Part is to provide that, if the
conditions set out in the Part are met, the value of any such interests
transferred by a qualifying farmer, his or her partner, or a former partner of
the qualifying farmer, will be disregarded in determining:
(a) whether a social security payment is payable; or
(b) at what rate a social security payment is payable.
(1) Subject to subsection (3), this Part applies to a person if:
(a) at any time after 14 September 1992 but before 15 September 2000, the
person, being then a qualifying farmer, transferred by way of gift to one, or
more than one, eligible descendant (either solely to the eligible descendant or
jointly to him or her and his or her partner):
(i) his or her qualifying interest in the farm or farms in which he or she
had such an interest; and
(ii) all the qualifying interests that he or she had in relevant farm
assets; and
(b) the person, or (if the person is a member of a couple) the person or
his or her partner:
(i) has reached pension age; or
(ii) will reach pension age before 15 September 2000; and
(c) the total value for the purposes of this section of the farm or farms,
and the relevant farm assets, referred to in paragraph (a) does not exceed
$500,000; and
(d) during the last 3 years before the transfer was completed, the
eligible descendant or each of the eligible descendants:
(i) had been actively involved with the farm or any of the farms;
or
(ii) would, in the opinion of the Secretary, have been so involved but for
exceptional circumstances beyond his or her control; and
(e) if the person is a member of a couple—the person’s partner
does not have:
(i) a legal estate or interest in the farm or farms referred to in
subparagraph (a)(i) or in any other farm; or
(ii) a legal interest in any relevant farm asset; and
(f) the person satisfies the farmers’ income test for the purposes
of this Part.
Note 1: For qualifying farmer,
transfer, eligible descendant, qualifying
interest, farm and relevant farm assets, see
subsection 17A(1).
Note 2: For pension age see subsection
23(1).
Note 3: For the value for the purposes of this
section of a farm or relevant farm asset see subsection (4) and for
actively involved with a farm see subsection (5).
Note 4: For the farmers’ income test see section
1185K.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), this Part also applies to a person
if:
(a) at any time after 14 September 1992 but before 15 September 2000, the
person, being then an eligible former partner of a qualifying farmer,
transferred by way of gift to one, or more than one, eligible descendant of the
farmer (either solely to the eligible descendant or jointly to him or her and
his or her partner):
(i) his or her qualifying interest in the farm or farms in which he or she
had such an interest; and
(ii) all the qualifying interests that he or she had in relevant farm
assets; and
(b) the person has reached pension age or will reach pension age before 15
September 2000; and
(c) the total value for the purposes of this section of the farm or farms,
and the relevant farm assets, referred to in paragraph (a) does not exceed
$500,000; and
(d) during the last 3 years before the transfer was completed, the
eligible descendant or each of the eligible descendants:
(i) had been actively involved with the farm or any of the farms;
or
(ii) would, in the opinion of the Secretary, have been so involved but for
exceptional circumstances beyond his or her control; and
(e) the person satisfies the farmers’ income test for the purposes
of this Part.
Note 1: For eligible former partner of a
qualifying farmer, transfer, eligible
descendant, qualifying interest, farm, and
relevant farm assets see subsection 17A(1).
Note 2: For pension age see subsection
23(1).
Note 3: For the value for the purposes of this
section of a farm or relevant farm asset see subsection (4) and for
actively involved with a farm see subsection (5).
Note 4: For the farmers’ income test see section
1185K.
(3) This Part does not apply to the person if:
(a) immediately before the transfer, the eligible descendant, or one of
the eligible descendants, referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (2)(a) (as the case
may be) had a qualifying interest in:
(i) the farm or one of the farms referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(i) or
(2)(a)(i); or
(ii) any relevant farm asset; and
(b) the eligible descendant had acquired the qualifying interest in the
farm, or in the relevant farm asset, after 14 September 1997; and
(c) the consideration, or part of the consideration, for the interest so
acquired was the wages forgone by the eligible descendant while he or she was
working as an employee on the farm or any of the farms.
Note: For transfer, eligible
descendant, qualifying interest, farm and
relevant farm asset see subsection 17A(1).
(4) If a person transfers a qualifying interest that the person has in a
farm or a relevant farm asset, then:
(a) if paragraph (b) does not apply—the value for the purposes
of this section of the farm or relevant farm asset is its value when the
transfer is completed; or
(b) if, immediately before the transfer by the person of his or her
qualifying interest in the farm or relevant farm asset, the transferee had a
qualifying interest in the farm or relevant farm asset—the value for
the purposes of this section of the farm or relevant farm asset is its
value when the transfer is completed less the value of the transferee’s
qualifying interest in it at that time.
(5) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(d) and (2)(d), a person is taken to
have been actively involved with a farm during a particular period
if, during that period, the person:
(a) has contributed a significant part of his or her labour to the
development of the farm; or
(b) has undertaken educational studies or training in a field that, in the
opinion of the Secretary, is relevant to the development or management of the
farm enterprise.
Value of farm affected by previous transaction
(1) If:
(a) a transfer of a kind referred to in paragraph 1185B(1)(a) or (2)(a) is
completed after 14 September 1997; and
(b) at any time before the transfer but after 14 September 1997, the
person making the transfer entered into a transaction or transactions as a
result of which:
(i) the value of the farm or farms in which the person had a qualifying
interest immediately before the transfer is less than the value that that farm
or those farms would have had immediately before the transfer if the person had
not entered into the transaction or transactions (the unreduced farm
value); or
(ii) the value of the relevant farm assets in which the person had a
qualifying interest immediately before the transfer is less than the value that
those relevant farm assets would have had immediately before the transfer if the
person had not entered into the transaction or transactions (the unreduced
assets value);
then, for the purposes of section 1185B:
(c) the value of that farm or those farms is taken to be an amount equal
to the unreduced farm value; and
(d) the value of those relevant farm assets is taken to be an amount equal
to the unreduced assets value.
Life interest retained in principal home on farm
(2) If, when transferring by way of gift to another person his or her
qualifying interest in a farm, a person retains a freehold estate, a leasehold
interest or a life interest in the dwelling-house on the farm, and the adjacent
private land, that constitute the person’s principal home, then, for the
purposes of section 1185B:
(a) the person is taken to have transferred the whole of his or her
qualifying interest in the farm by way of gift; but
(b) when assessing the value of the farm, the value of the dwelling-house
and the adjacent private land is not to be included.
General rule
(3) Subject to this section, apply section 1121A in working out the value
of a farm or farms, and any relevant farm assets, for the purposes of this
Division.
Note: For transfer, qualifying
interest, eligible descendant, farm and
relevant farm asset see subsection 17A(1).
(1) If this Part applies to a person because of subsection 1185B(1), then,
subject to subsections (3) and (5):
(a) the transfer by the person of his or her qualifying interest in a farm
or in a relevant farm asset is taken not to be a disposal of an asset (within
the meaning of section 1123); and
(b) if the person’s partner has also transferred by way of gift to
an eligible descendant of the person any qualifying interest in a farm or in a
relevant farm asset, that transfer is taken not to be a disposal of an asset
(within the meaning of section 1123).
(2) If this Part applies to a person because of subsection 1185B(2), then,
subject to subsections (4)and (5), the transfer by the person of his or her
qualifying interest in a farm or in a relevant farm asset is taken not to be a
disposal of an asset (within the meaning of section 1123).
(3) If:
(a) when the transfer referred to in paragraph (1)(a) was completed;
or
(b) in the case of such a transfer that was completed before 15 September
1997—on 15 September 1997;
neither the person making the transfer nor his or her partner had reached
pension age, subsection (1) only applies after one of them reaches that
age.
(4) If:
(a) when the transfer referred to in subsection (2) was completed;
or
(b) in the case of such a transfer that was completed before 15 September
1997—on 15 September 1997;
the person making the transfer had not reached pension age, subsection (2)
only applies after the person reaches that age.
Note 1: For transfer, qualifying
interest, eligible descendant, farm and
relevant farm asset see subsection 17A(1).
Note 2: For pension age see subsection
23(1).
(5) Disregard subsections (1) and (2) when working out a rate for the
purposes of Division 6 of Part 2.2A.
Note: Part 2.2A provides for the payment of a pension bonus
to a person who qualifies for an age pension if the person has deferred claiming
that pension for a period of at least one year and the person, or the
person’s partner, has worked gainfully during that
period.
If:
(a) a person, or a person’s partner, has reached pension age;
and
(b) this Part applies because of a transfer of qualifying interests by the
person or the person’s partner; and
(c) the person makes a claim under this Act for a social security
payment;
then, despite any other provision of this Act, the claimant’s
provisional commencement day is:
(d) if the transfer was completed before 15 September 1997 and the person
makes the claim before 15 September 1998—15 September 1997 or the day on
which the person becomes qualified for the social security payment, whichever is
later; or
(e) if the transfer was completed after 14 September 1997 but before 15
September 1998 and the person makes the claim before 15 September
1998:
(i) the day on which the transfer was completed; or
(ii) the day on which the person becomes qualified for the social security
payment;
whichever is later; or
(f) if the transfer was completed after 14 September 1998 but before 15
September 2000 and the person makes the claim during the period of 3 months that
starts on the day on which the transfer was completed:
(i) the day on which the transfer was completed; or
(ii) the day on which the person becomes qualified for the social security
payment;
whichever is later; or
(g) in any other case—the day on which the claim is made.
(1) This Division applies if:
(a) a person, or a person’s partner, has reached pension age;
and
(b) this Part applies because of a transfer of qualifying interests by the
person or the person’s partner; and
(c) the person is receiving a social security payment under this Act;
and
(d) the value of the qualifying interests has been included in the value
of the person’s assets, or the partner’s assets, when calculating
the rate of the person’s social security payment.
If:
(a) the rate at which a social security payment is being, or has been,
paid to a person is less than the rate (the increased rate) at
which it would be, or would have been, paid if the value of the qualifying
interests transferred by the person or the person’s partner had not been
included in the value of the person’s assets, or of the partner’s
assets, in calculating the rate of the person’s social security payment;
and
(b) the person wants the social security payment to be paid at the
increased rate;
the person must make a request to that effect.
A request under section 1185G must be made in writing and must be in
accordance with a form approved by the Secretary.
(1) If:
(a) a person makes a request under section 1185G in respect of a social
security payment; and
(b) the Secretary is satisfied that the rate at which the social security
payment is being, or has been, paid to the person is less than the rate at which
it would be, or would have been, paid if the value of the qualifying interests
transferred by the person or the person’s partner had not been included in
the value of the person’s assets, or the partner’s assets, when
calculating the rate of the person’s social security payment;
the Secretary must determine that the request is to be granted.
(2) The determination takes effect:
(a) if the transfer was completed before 15 September 1998 and the person
makes the request before that day—on 15 September 1997 or the day on which
the transfer was completed, whichever is later; or
(b) if the transfer was completed after 14 September 1998 but before 15
September 2000 and the person makes the request during the period of 3 months
that starts on the day on which the transfer is completed—on the day on
which the transfer was completed; or
(c) in any other case—on the day on which the request is
made.
How to work out whether the farmers’ income test is
satisfied
(1) This is how to work out whether a person who has transferred his or
her qualifying interest in a farm or farms satisfies the farmers’ income
test for the purposes of this Part:
Method statement
Step 1. Work out under subsection (2) the amount of the
person’s ordinary income (other than ordinary income from farming) for
each of the last 3 financial years before the day on which the transfer was
completed (the income test years).
If the person was a member of a couple on the day on which the transfer
was completed, work out also under subsection (2) the amount of his or her
partner’s ordinary income (other than ordinary income from farming) for
the 3 income test years.
Add up all the amounts so obtained. The result is called the
person’s total non-farm income.
Step 2. Work out under subsection (3) the amount of the
person’s ordinary income from farming for each of the 3 income test
years.
If the person was a member of a couple on the day on which the transfer
was completed, work out also under subsection (3) the amount of his or her
partner’s ordinary income from farming for the 3 income test
years.
Add up all the amounts of positive income for both the person and the
person’s partner and deduct from that total the amounts of negative income
(if any) for both the person and the person’s partner. The result is
called the person’s total farm income (which may be either
positive or negative).
Step 3. Work out the person’s total income for the 3
income test years:
(a) if the person’s total farm income is a positive amount—by
adding that amount to the amount of the person’s total non-farm income;
or
(b) if the person’s total farm income is a negative amount—by
deducting that amount from the amount of the person’s total non-farm
income.
Step 4. Work out under subsection (4) the maximum basic rate for age
pension applicable to the person. Multiply that rate by 3. The result is called
the person’s maximum basic entitlement.
Step 5. If the person’s total income for the 3 income test
years is less than the person’s maximum basic entitlement, the person
satisfies the farmers’ income test for the purposes of this
Part.
If the person’s total income for the 3 income test years equals or
exceeds the person’s maximum basic entitlement, the person does not
satisfy the farmers’ income test for the purposes of this Part.
Person’s ordinary income from all sources other than
farming
(2) For the purpose of working out a person’s ordinary income from
all sources other than farming during a financial year, the following provisions
have effect:
(a) the provisions of Part 3.10 other than Division 1B apply to the person
and so apply as if any reference in Division 1A to a tax year were a reference
to that financial year;
(b) any return on a financial asset that the person has actually received
during the financial year is taken to be ordinary income of the
person.
Person’s ordinary income from farming
(3) For the purpose of working out a person’s ordinary income from
farming during a financial year, the following provisions have effect:
(a) the provisions of Part 3.10 other than Division 1B apply to the person
and so apply as if:
(i) any reference in subsection 1074(1) to a tax year were a reference to
that financial year; and
(ii) subsection 1074(2) and section 1075 were omitted;
(b) any return on a financial asset that the person has actually received
during the financial year and that relates to a farm or a relevant farm asset is
taken to be ordinary income of the person from farming;
(c) if, at the end of the financial year, the value of all trading stock
on hand that relates to a farm is less than the value of all such trading stock
on hand at the beginning of that financial year—the amount of the
difference is to be deducted from that part of the person’s ordinary
income from farming for that financial year that is income in the form of
profits;
(d) there is also to be deducted from the person’s ordinary
income from farming:
(i) losses and outgoings that relate to a farm and are allowable
deductions for the purposes of section 51 of the Income Tax Assessment Act
1936 or section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, as
appropriate; and
(ii) depreciation that relates to a relevant farm asset and is an
allowable deduction for the purposes of subsection 54(1) of the Income Tax
Assessment Act 1936 or Division 42 of the Income Tax Assessment Act
1997; and
(iii) amounts that relate to a farm or a relevant farm asset and are
allowable deductions under subsection 82AAC(1) of the Income Tax Assessment
Act 1936;
(e) if a negative result is obtained after applying paragraphs (c) and
(d)—the person’s ordinary income from farming for the financial year
is a negative income;
(f) if paragraph (e) does not apply—the person’s ordinary
income from farming for the financial year is a positive income.
Person’s maximum basic rate for age pension
(4) For the purposes of Step 4 in the Method statement in subsection (1),
the maximum basic rate for age pension applicable to the person is:
(a) if the person was a member of a couple at any time during the 3 years
immediately preceding the operative day—an amount equal to twice the
amount that was, on the operative day, the maximum basic rate for a partnered
person under Module B of Pension Rate Calculator A in section 1064; or
(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply—an amount equal to the amount
that was, on the operative day, the maximum basic rate for a person who is not a
member of a couple under Module B of Pension Rate Calculator A in section
1064.
Definitions
(5) In this section:
income, in relation to a person, has the same meaning as in
subsection 8(1), except that, in addition to any amount that is not income of
the person because of subsection 8(4), (5), (7A) or (8), any payment to the
person under:
(a) the AUSTUDY scheme; or
(b) the Veterans’ Entitlements Act; or
(c) the Farm Household Support Act 1992;
is not income of the person for the purposes of this section.
operative day means:
(a) if the transfer of the person’s qualifying interest in the farm
or farms was completed before 15 September 1997—that day; or
(b) otherwise—the day on which the transfer of the person’s
qualifying interest in the farm or farms was completed.
ordinary income from farming, in relation to a person who has
a qualifying interest in a farm or farms, means the ordinary income of the
person from the farm or farms and any relevant farm assets.
1 Section 5 (index)
Insert in their appropriate alphabetical position, determined on a
letter-by-letter basis:
|
eligible descendant |
5P(1) |
|---|---|
|
eligible former partner of a qualifying farmer |
5P(2) |
|
farm |
5P(1) |
|
farm enterprise |
5P(1) |
|
proprietary company |
5P(1) |
|
qualifying farmer |
5P(3) and (4) |
|
qualifying interest |
5P(5) and (6) |
|
relevant farm asset |
5P(1) |
|
relevant State land law |
5P(1) |
|
retirement age |
5Q1 |
|
transfer |
5P(7), (8), (9), (10) and (11) |
2 After subsection 5MA(2)
Insert:
(2A) Subsection (2) does not apply:
(a) to a person to whom Division 8 of Part IIIB applies because the person
has transferred his or her qualifying interest in a farm in accordance with
paragraph 49A(1)(a) or (2)(a); or
(b) if the person’s partner has transferred by way of
gift:
(i) to an eligible descendant of the person; or
(ii) jointly to an eligible descendant of the person and to the
descendant’s partner;
his or her qualifying interest in a farm—to the person’s
partner;
if the person or the person’s partner (as the case may be), on so
transferring his or her qualifying interest in the farm, has retained a life
interest in the dwelling house on the farm, and in the adjacent private land,
that constitute his or her principal home.
3 Before section 5PA
Insert:
(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
eligible descendant, in relation to a person,
means:
(a) a child, step child or adopted child of the person or of a partner of
the person; or
(b) a descendant in direct line of a child described in paragraph (a);
or
(c) any other person who, in the opinion of the Commission, should be
treated for the purposes of this definition as a person described in paragraph
(a) or (b).
eligible former partner of a qualifying farmer has the
meaning given by subsection (2).
farm means any land that is used:
(a) for the purposes of a farm enterprise; or
(b) in connection with a farm enterprise.
farm enterprise means an enterprise carried on within any of
the agricultural, horticultural, pastoral or aquacultural industries.
proprietary company has the meaning that it has in the
Corporations Law.
qualifying farmer has the meaning given by subsections (3)
and (4).
qualifying interest has the meaning given by subsections (5)
and (6).
relevant farm asset, in relation to a farm, means any
livestock, crop, plant or equipment that is a produce of, or is used for the
purposes of, the farm enterprise.
relevant State land law means any of the following
laws:
(a) the Real Property Act 1900 of New South Wales;
(b) the Transfer of Land Act 1958 of Victoria;
(c) the Land Title Act 1994 of Queensland;
(d) the Transfer of Land Act 1893 of Western Australia;
(e) the Real Property Act, 1886 of South Australia;
(f) the Land Titles Act 1980 of Tasmania;
(g) the Real Property Act 1925 of the Australian Capital Territory;
(h) the Real Property Act of the Northern Territory;
(i) a law of a Territory (other than the Australian Capital Territory or
the Northern Territory) making similar provision for the registration of
dealings with land as the laws mentioned above.
transfer:
(a) in relation to a qualifying interest in a farm—has the meaning
given by subsections (7), (8), (10) and (11); or
(b) in relation to a qualifying interest in a relevant farm
asset—has the meaning given by subsections (9) and (11).
(2) A person is an eligible former partner of a qualifying farmer
if:
(a) the person was, but no longer is (whether because of death or any
other reason), the partner of another person; and
(b) on the day on which the person ceased to be the partner of the other
person, the other person was a qualifying farmer; and
(c) after ceasing to be the partner of the other person, the person has
not again become a member of a couple; and
(d) the person has a qualifying interest in a farm or farms in which the
other person had a qualifying interest.
Note: For qualifying interest see subsection
(5).
(3) A person is a qualifying farmer if:
(a) the person has, has not ceased to have, and has continuously had for a
period of at least 15 years, a qualifying interest in a farm; and
(b) during a period of 15 years, the person or the person’s
partner:
(i) has contributed a significant part of his or her labour and capital to
the development of a farm or farms; and
(ii) has derived a significant part of his or her income from that farm or
those farms.
Note: For qualifying interest see subsection
(5).
(4) A person is also a qualifying farmer if:
(a) the person has a qualifying interest in one or more than one farm;
and
(b) the qualifying interest in the farm, or each of the farms, was
acquired by the person before 15 September 1997; and
(c) the person or the person’s partner or former partner has been
involved in farming in Australia for a continuous period of 20 years, or for
periods that together add up to 20 years, by:
(i) contributing a significant part of his or her labour to farm
enterprises; and
(ii) deriving a significant part of his or her income from farm
enterprises.
Note: For qualifying interest see subsection
(5).
(5) A person has a qualifying interest in a farm
if:
(a) the person has a legal estate or interest in the farm; or
(b) the person has a transferable legal right or a transferable licence to
occupy the farm for a particular purpose of the farm enterprise; or
(c) as the mortgagor of a legal estate or interest in the farm (being an
estate or interest that is not registered under a relevant State land law), the
person has an equitable estate or interest in the farm; or
(d) the person is a shareholder in a proprietary company that has a legal
estate or interest in the farm.
(6) A person has a qualifying interest in a relevant farm
asset if the person:
(a) has a legal interest in the farm asset; or
(b) is a shareholder in a proprietary company that has a legal estate or
interest in the farm asset.
(7) Subject to subsections (8), (10) and (11), a qualifying interest that
a person has in a farm is transferred to another person if, and
only if, the qualifying interest:
(a) ceases to be vested in the person; and
(b) becomes vested in the other person.
(8) To avoid any doubt, it is stated that if a person who transfers a
legal estate or interest in a farm to another person is, under a relevant State
land law, registered as being the proprietor (whether that word or any other
word is used) of that estate or interest, the legal estate or interest in the
farm is taken not to have become vested in the other person unless and until the
transfer is registered in accordance with that law.
Note: For relevant State land law see
subsection (1).
(9) Subject to subsection (11), a qualifying interest that a person has in
a relevant farm asset is transferred to another person if, and
only if, the qualifying interest:
(a) ceases to be vested in the person; and
(b) becomes vested in the other person.
(10) If, as the mortgagor of a legal estate or interest in a farm (see
paragraph (5)(c)), a person has a qualifying interest in the farm, the person is
taken to have transferred that qualifying interest in the farm to
another person only if the person:
(a) has, under a relevant State land law, become registered as the
proprietor (whether that word or any other word is used) of the legal estate or
interest in the farm; and
(b) has then transferred that legal estate or interest to the other
person.
(11) If a person has a qualifying interest in a farm or a relevant farm
asset because (see paragraphs (5)(d) and (6)(b)) the person is a shareholder in
a proprietary company that has a legal estate or interest in the farm, or a
legal interest in the relevant farm asset (as the case may be), the person is
taken to have transferred to another person his or her qualifying
interest in the farm or relevant farm asset only if the person:
(a) has acquired the company’s legal estate or interest in the farm
or the company’s legal interest in the relevant farm asset; and
(b) has then transferred it to the other person.
4 Subsection 5Q(1)
Insert:
retirement age:
(a) in relation to a person who is a war widow or a war widower but is not
a veteran—means the age that would be the pension age for that person if
he or she were a veteran; or
(b) in relation to any other person—means the pension age for that
person.
5 At the end of subsection
46B(2)
Add:
Note: Different provisions apply when working out a
person’s ordinary income from a farm to find whether the person satisfies
the farmers’ income test for the purposes of Division 8 (see subparagraph
49J(3)(b)(ii) and paragraph 49J(3)(e)).
6 At the end of subsection
46C(1)
Add:
Note: Different provisions apply when working out a
person’s ordinary income from a farm to find whether the person satisfies
the farmers’ income test for the purposes of Division 8 (see subparagraph
49J(3)(b)(ii) and paragraph 49J(3)(e)).
7 At the end of subsection
46D(1)
Add:
Note: The whole of Division 3 does not apply when working
out a person’s ordinary income to find whether the person satisfies the
farmers’ income test for the purposes of Division 8 (see paragraphs
49J(2)(c) and (3)(c)).
8 At the end of subsection
46E(1)
Add:
Note: The whole of Division 3 does not apply when working
out a person’s ordinary income to find whether the person satisfies the
farmers’ income test for the purposes of Division 8 (see paragraphs
49J(2)(c) and (3)(c)).
9 At the end of subsection
46K(1)
Add:
Note: When working out a person’s ordinary income to
find whether the person satisfies the farmers’ income test for the
purposes of Division 8, actual returns on financial assets are taken to be
ordinary income (see paragraphs 49J(2)(d) and (3)(d)).
10 At the end of subsection
52E(1)
Add:
Note: If Division 8 applies in relation to the transfer by a
person of a legal estate or interest in a farm or relevant farm asset, that
transfer and certain transfers by the person’s partner are taken not to be
disposal of assets (see section 49C).
11 After Division 7 of Part
IIIB
Insert:
This Division deals with the transfer of farming interests to family
members of a younger generation. The purpose of the Division is to provide that,
if the conditions set out in the Division are met, the value of any such
interests transferred by a qualifying farmer, his or her partner, or a former
partner of the qualifying farmer, will be disregarded in determining:
(a) whether a service pension or an income support supplement is payable;
or
(b) at what rate a service pension or an income support supplement is
payable.
(1) Subject to subsection (3), this Division applies to a person
if:
(a) at any time after 14 September 1992 but before 15 September 2000, the
person, being then a qualifying farmer, transferred by way of gift to one, or
more than one, eligible descendant (either solely to the eligible descendant or
jointly to him or her and his or her partner):
(i) his or her qualifying interest in the farm or farms in which he or she
had such an interest; and
(ii) all the qualifying interests that he or she had in relevant farm
assets; and
(b) the person, or (if the person is a member of a couple) the person or
his or her partner:
(i) has reached retirement age; or
(ii) will reach retirement age before 15 September 2000; and
(c) the total value for the purposes of this section of the farm or farms,
and the relevant farm assets, referred to in paragraph (a) does not exceed
$500,000; and
(d) during the last 3 years before the transfer was completed, the
eligible descendant or each of the eligible descendants:
(i) had been actively involved with the farm or any of the farms;
or
(ii) would, in the opinion of the Commission, have been so involved but
for exceptional circumstances beyond his or her control; and
(e) if the person is a member of a couple—the person’s partner
does not have:
(i) a legal estate or interest in the farm or farms referred to in
subparagraph (a)(i) or in any other farm; or
(ii) a legal interest in any relevant farm asset; and
(f) the person satisfies the farmers’ income test for the purposes
of this Division.
Note 1: For qualifying farmer,
transfer, eligible descendant, qualifying
interest, farm and relevant farm assets, see
subsection 5P(1).
Note 2: For retirement age see subsection
5Q(1).
Note 3: For the value for the purposes of this
section of a farm or relevant farm asset see subsection (4) and for
actively involved with a farm see subsection (5).
Note 4: For the farmers’ income test see section
49J.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), this Division also applies to a person
if:
(a) at any time after 14 September 1992 but before 15 September 2000, the
person, being then an eligible former partner of a qualifying farmer,
transferred by way of gift to one, or more than one, eligible descendant of the
farmer (either solely to the eligible descendant or jointly to him or her and
his or her partner):
(i) his or her qualifying interest in the farm or farms in which he or she
had such an interest; and
(ii) all the qualifying interests that he or she had in relevant farm
assets; and
(b) the person has reached retirement age or will reach retirement age
before 15 September 2000; and
(c) the total value for the purposes of this section of the farm or farms,
and the relevant farm assets, referred to in paragraph (a) does not exceed
$500,000; and
(d) during the last 3 years before the transfer was completed, the
eligible descendant or each of the eligible descendants:
(i) had been actively involved with the farm or any of the farms;
or
(ii) would, in the opinion of the Commission, have been so involved but
for exceptional circumstances beyond his or her control; and
(e) the person satisfies the farmers’ income test for the purposes
of this Division.
Note 1: For eligible former partner of a
qualifying farmer, transfer, eligible
descendant, qualifying interest, farm and
relevant farm assets see subsection 5P(1).
Note 2: For retirement age see subsection
5Q(1).
Note 3: For the value for the purposes of this
section of a farm or relevant farm asset see subsection (4) and for
actively involved with a farm see subsection (5).
Note 4: For the farmers’ income test see section
49J.
(3) This Division does not apply to the person if:
(a) immediately before the transfer, the eligible descendant, or one of
the eligible descendants, referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (2)(a) (as the case
may be) had a qualifying interest in:
(i) the farm or one of the farms referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(i) or
(2)(a)(i); or
(ii) any relevant farm asset; and
(b) the eligible descendant had acquired the qualifying interest in the
farm, or in the relevant farm asset, after 14 September 1997; and
(c) the consideration, or part of the consideration, for the interest so
acquired was the wages forgone by the eligible descendant while he or she was
working as an employee on the farm or any of the farms.
Note: For transfer, eligible
descendant, qualifying interest, farm and
relevant farm asset see subsection 5P(1).
(4) If a person transfers a qualifying interest that the person has in a
farm or a relevant farm asset, then:
(a) if paragraph (b) does not apply—the value for the purposes
of this section of the farm or relevant farm asset is its value when the
transfer is completed; or
(b) if, immediately before the transfer by the person of his or her
qualifying interest in the farm or relevant farm asset, the transferee had a
qualifying interest in the farm or relevant farm asset—the value for
the purposes of this section of the farm or relevant farm asset is its
value when the transfer is completed less the value of the transferee’s
qualifying interest in it at that time.
(5) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(d) and (2)(d), a person is taken to
have been actively involved with a farm during a particular period
if, during that period, the person:
(a) has contributed a significant part of his or her labour to the
development of the farm; or
(b) has undertaken educational studies or training in a field that, in the
opinion of the Commission, is relevant to the development or management of the
farm enterprise.
Value of farm affected by previous transaction
(1) If:
(a) a transfer of a kind referred to in paragraph 49A(1)(a) or (2)(a) is
completed after 14 September 1997; and
(b) at any time before the transfer but after 14 September 1997, the
person making the transfer entered into a transaction or transactions as a
result of which:
(i) the value of the farm or farms in which the person had a qualifying
interest immediately before the transfer is less than the value that that farm
or those farms would have had immediately before the transfer if the person had
not entered into the transaction or transactions (the unreduced farm
value); or
(ii) the value of the relevant farm assets in which the person had a
qualifying interest immediately before the transfer is less than the value that
those relevant farm assets would have had immediately before the transfer if the
person had not entered into the transaction or transactions (the unreduced
assets value);
then, for the purposes of section 49A:
(c) the value of that farm or those farms is taken to be an amount equal
to the unreduced farm value; and
(d) the value of those relevant farm assets is taken to be an amount equal
to the unreduced assets value.
Life interest retained in principal home on farm
(2) If, when transferring by way of gift to another person his or her
qualifying interest in a farm, a person retains a freehold estate, a leasehold
interest or a life interest in the dwelling-house on the farm, and the adjacent
private land, that constitute the person’s principal home, then, for the
purposes of section 49A:
(a) the person is taken to have transferred the whole of his or her
qualifying interest in the farm by way of gift; but
(b) when assessing the value of the farm, the value of the dwelling-house
and the adjacent private land is not to be included.
General rule
(3) Subject to this section, apply section 52CA in working out the value
of a farm or farms, and any relevant farm assets, for the purposes of this
Division.
Note: For transfer, qualifying
interest, eligible descendant, farm and
relevant farm asset see subsection 5P(1).
(1) If this Division applies to a person because of subsection 49A(1),
then, subject to subsections (3) and (5):
(a) the transfer by the person of his or her qualifying interest in a farm
or in a relevant farm asset is taken not to be a disposal of an asset (within
the meaning of section 52E); and
(b) if the person’s partner has also transferred by way of gift to
an eligible descendant of the person any qualifying interest in a farm or in a
relevant farm asset, that transfer is taken not to be a disposal of an asset
(within the meaning of section 52E).
(2) If this Division applies to a person because of subsection 49A(2),
then, subject to subsections (4) and (5), the transfer by the person of his or
her qualifying interest in a farm or in a relevant farm asset is taken not to be
a disposal of an asset (within the meaning of section 52E).
(3) If:
(a) when the transfer referred to in paragraph (1)(a) was completed;
or
(b) in the case of such a transfer that was completed before 15 September
1997—on 15 September 1997;
neither the person making the transfer nor his or her partner had reached
retirement age, subsection (1) only applies after one of them reaches that
age.
(4) If:
(a) when the transfer referred to in subsection (2) was completed;
or
(b) in the case of such a transfer that was completed before 15 September
1997—on 15 September 1997;
the person making the transfer had not reached retirement age, subsection
(2) only applies after the person reaches that age.
Note 1: For transfer, qualifying
interest, eligible descendant, farm and
relevant farm asset see subsection 5P(1).
Note 2: For retirement age see subsection
5Q(1).
(5) Disregard subsections (1) and (2) when working out a rate for the
purposes of Division 6 of Part IIIAB.
Note: Part IIIAB provides for the payment of a pension bonus
to a person who qualifies for an age service pension if the person has deferred
claiming that pension for a period of at least one year and the person, or the
person’s partner, has worked gainfully during that
period.
If:
(a) a person, or a person’s partner, has reached retirement age;
and
(b) this Division applies because of a transfer of qualifying interests by
the person or the person’s partner; and
(c) the person makes a claim under this Act for a service pension or an
income support supplement;
then, despite any other provision of this Act, the claimant’s
provisional commencement day is:
(d) if the transfer was completed before 15 September 1997 and the person
makes the claim before 15 September 1998—15 September 1997 or the day on
which the person becomes qualified for the pension or supplement, whichever is
later; or
(e) if the transfer was completed after 14 September 1997 but before 15
September 1998 and the person makes the claim before 15 September
1998:
(i) the day on which the transfer was completed; or
(ii) the day on which the person becomes qualified for the pension or
supplement;
whichever is later; or
(f) if the transfer was completed after 14 September 1998 but before 15
September 2000 and the person makes the claim during the period of 3 months that
starts on the day on which the transfer was completed:
(i) the day on which the transfer was completed; or
(ii) the day on which the person becomes qualified for the pension or
supplement;
whichever is later; or
(g) in any other case—the day on which the claim is made.
(1) This Subdivision applies if:
(a) a person, or a person’s partner, has reached retirement age;
and
(b) this Division applies because of a transfer of qualifying interests by
the person or the person’s partner; and
(c) the person is receiving a service pension or an income support
supplement under this Act; and
(d) the value of the qualifying interests has been included in the value
of the person’s assets, or the partner’s assets, when calculating
the rate of the person’s pension or supplement.
If:
(a) the rate at which a service pension or an income supplement is being,
or has been, paid to a person is less than the rate (the increased
rate) at which it would be, or would have been, paid if the value of the
qualifying interests transferred by the person or the person’s partner had
not been included in the value of the person’s assets, or of the
partner’s assets, in calculating the rate of the person’s pension or
supplement; and
(b) the person wants the pension or supplement to be paid at the increased
rate;
the person must make a request to that effect.
A request under section 49F must be made in writing and must be in
accordance with a form approved by the Commission.
(1) If:
(a) a person makes a request under section 49F in respect of a service
pension or an income support supplement; and
(b) the Commission is satisfied that the rate at which the pension or
supplement is being, or has been, paid to the person is less than the rate at
which it would be, or would have been, paid if the value of the qualifying
interests transferred by the person or the person’s partner had not been
included in the value of the person’s assets, or the partner’s
assets, when calculating the rate of the person’s pension or
supplement;
the Commission must determine that the request is to be granted.
(2) The determination takes effect:
(a) if the transfer was completed before 15 September 1998 and the person
makes the request before that day—on 15 September 1997 or the day on which
the transfer was completed, whichever is later; or
(b) if the transfer was completed after 14 September 1998 but before 15
September 2000 and the person makes the request during the period of 3 months
that starts on the day on which the transfer is completed—on the day on
which the transfer was completed; or
(c) in any other case—on the day on which the request is
made.
How to work out whether the farmers’ income test is
satisfied
(1) This is how to work out whether a person who has transferred his or
her qualifying interest in a farm or farms satisfies the farmers’ income
test for the purposes of this Division:
Method statement
Step 1. Work out under subsection (2) the amount of the
person’s ordinary income (other than ordinary income from farming) for
each of the last 3 financial years before the day on which the transfer was
completed (the income test years).
If the person was a member of a couple on the day on which the transfer
was completed, work out also under subsection (2) the amount of his or her
partner’s ordinary income (other than ordinary income from farming) for
the 3 income test years.
Add up all the amounts so obtained. The result is called the
person’s total non-farm income.
Step 2. Work out under subsection (3) the amount of the
person’s ordinary income from farming for each of the 3 income test
years.
If the person was a member of a couple on the day on which the transfer
was completed, work out also under subsection (3) the amount of his or her
partner’s ordinary income from farming for the 3 income test
years.
Add up all the amounts of positive income for both the person and the
person’s partner and deduct from that total the amounts of negative income
(if any) for both the person and the person’s partner. The result is
called the person’s total farm income (which may be either
positive or negative).
Step 3. Work out the person’s total income for the 3
income test years:
(a) if the person’s total farm income is a positive amount—by
adding that amount to the amount of the person’s total non-farm income;
or
(b) if the person’s total farm income is a negative amount—by
deducting that amount from the amount of the person’s total non-farm
income.
Step 4. Work out under subsection (4) the maximum basic rate for age
service pension applicable to the person. Multiply that rate by 3. The result is
called the person’s maximum basic entitlement.
Step 5. If the person’s total income for the 3 income test
years is less than the person’s maximum basic entitlement, the person
satisfies the farmers’ income test for the purposes of this
Division.
If the person’s total income for the 3 income test years equals or
exceeds the person’s maximum basic entitlement, the person does not
satisfy the farmers’ income test for the purposes of this
Division.
Person’s ordinary income from all sources other than
farming
(2) For the purpose of working out a person’s ordinary income from
all sources other than farming during a financial year, the following provisions
have effect:
(a) Divisions 1, 4, 6 and 7 of this Part apply to the person;
(b) Division 2 of this Part applies to the person as if any reference in
that Division to a tax year were a reference to that financial year;
(c) Division 3 of this Part does not apply to the person;
(d) any return on a financial asset that the person has actually received
during the financial year is taken to be ordinary income of the
person.
Person’s ordinary income from farming
(3) For the purpose of working out a person’s ordinary income from
farming during a financial year, the following provisions have effect:
(a) Divisions 1, 4, 6 and 7 of this Part apply to the person;
(b) Division 2 of this Part applies to the person as if:
(i) any reference in subsection 46B(1) to a tax year were a reference to
that financial year; and
(ii) subsection 46B(2) and section 46C were omitted;
(c) Division 3 of this Part does not apply to the person;
(d) any return on a financial asset that the person has actually received
during the financial year and that relates to a farm or a relevant farm asset is
taken to be ordinary income of the person from farming;
(e) if, at the end of the financial year, the value of all trading stock
on hand that relates to a farm is less than the value of all such trading stock
on hand at the beginning of that financial year—the amount of the
difference is to be deducted from that part of the person’s ordinary
income from farming for that financial year that is income in the form of
profits;
(f) there is also to be deducted from the person’s ordinary
income from farming:
(i) losses and outgoings that relate to a farm and are allowable
deductions for the purposes of section 51 of the Income Tax Assessment Act
1936 or section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, as
appropriate; and
(ii) depreciation that relates to a relevant farm asset and is an
allowable deduction for the purposes of subsection 54(1) of the Income Tax
Assessment Act 1936 or Division 42 of the Income Tax Assessment Act
1997; and
(iii) amounts that relate to a farm or a relevant farm asset and are
allowable deductions under subsection 82AAC(1) of the Income Tax Assessment
Act 1936;
(g) if a negative result is obtained after applying paragraphs (e) and
(f)—the person’s ordinary income from farming for the financial year
is a negative income;
(h) if paragraph (g) does not apply—the person’s ordinary
income from farming for the financial year is a positive income.
Person’s maximum basic rate for age service pension
(4) For the purposes of Step 4 in the Method statement in subsection (1),
the maximum basic rate for age service pension applicable to the person
is:
(a) if the person was a member of a couple at any time during the 3 years
immediately preceding the operative day—an amount equal to twice the
amount that was, on the operative day, the maximum basic rate for a partnered
person under Module B in Part 2 of Schedule 6; or
(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply—an amount equal to the amount
that was, on the operative day, the maximum basic rate for a person who is not a
member of a couple under Module B in Part 2 of Schedule 6.
Definitions
(5) In this section:
income, in relation to a person, has the same meaning as in
subsection 5H(1), except that, in addition to any amount that is not income of
the person because of subsection 5H(4), (5) or (8), any payment to the person
under:
(a) the AUSTUDY scheme; or
(b) the Social Security Act; or
(c) the Farm Household Support Act 1992;
is not income of the person for the purposes of this section.
operative day means:
(a) if the transfer of the person’s qualifying interest in the farm
or farms was completed before 15 September 1997—that day; or
(b) otherwise—the day on which the transfer of the person’s
qualifying interest in the farm or farms was completed.
ordinary income from farming, in relation to a person who has
a qualifying interest in a farm or farms, means the ordinary income of the
person from the farm or farms and any relevant farm assets.