*Please note that the links to the content in this Part will direct you to Westlaw AU. If you are using Checkpoint, the links can be found in the CP PDF at the bottom of this post.
The latest issue of the Australian Tax Review (Volume 43 Part 3) contains the following material:
- From anti-avoidance to tax induced insolvency
- Sham Transactions edited by Edwin Simpson and Miranda Stewart – Yuri Grbich
Articles
The Hatter’s watch: Tax benefit in Part IVA – Mark Brabazon SC
The 2013 amendments to the tax benefit concept in Australia’s general anti-avoidance rule are the first major change to the rule since 1981 when Part IVA was enacted. The meaning of the amendments and their effect on settled principles of tax benefit jurisprudence are examined. Analysis of the text reveals an absence of clarity at a number of key points in the amended legislation including the “based on a postulate†concept, the “reasonable alternative†concept, and the direction to disregard tax effects. The assignment of clear meaning will become a task for the judiciary.
To purchase this article, complete the Individual Article Sale order form and email it to [email protected].
The “economic benefits model†for trusts – fool’s gold? – Alex Evans
Following the High Court’s decision in FCT v Bamford, the Gillard Government embarked on a reform of Div 6 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth). Treasury proposed and developed three options for reform: the patch, proportionate, and economic benefits models. Submissions received during consultation identified problems with each option and indicated a lack of consensus as to the best way forward. This article posits that Treasury and the Australian Taxation Office wish to move away from the current trust deed and trust law dependent approach to rules that primarily turn on tax law concepts. Consequently, the reform documents presented the economic benefits model as the most desirable option. This article argues that the reform documents significantly understated the complexity that such a model involves in practice and illustrates this point by analysing the rules for the taxation of trusts in the United States.
To purchase this article, complete the Individual Article Sale order form and email it to [email protected].
The Commissioner’s power to issue creditor’s statutory demands: Implications for corporate rescue post insolvency – Sylvia Villios
The Commissioner’s role in a corporate insolvency has expanded as new forms of taxation have been created, leading to tax claims consuming more and more of an insolvent debtor’s estate. The literature which considers the role of the Commissioner in a corporate insolvency is predominantly concerned with whether the Commissioner should be given preferred treatment relative to other creditors; that is, whether such claims should be paid ahead of other unsecured, and in some cases also secured, claims. Many jurisdictions have traditionally conferred a priority on tax claims. The form and scope of such a priority varies. However, it appears that there is a trend towards the removal of taxation priorities. This article will outline the Law Reform Commission inquiries that led to the abolition of tax priority in Australia and will examine the various arguments concerning the proper role of the Commissioner in a corporate insolvency. In particular, this article argues that the Commissioner’s power to serve a company with a statutory demand has regrettable consequences when it comes to attempts to implement corporate rescue. The article suggests areas for reform and considers directions for future research and action
To purchase this article, complete the Individual Article Sale order form and email it to [email protected].
For the pdf version of the table of contents, click here:Â WAU – AT Rev Vol 42 Pt 3 Contents or here: CP – AT Rev Vol 42 Pt 3 Contents.
