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The Source Test

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The source test for a private trust and company

The source test in relation to a controlled private trust and a controlled private company is to be applied where:

However, a person could refer to the source of capital that was placed in a structure before 7.30pm 9 May 2000, if they wished to demonstrate that attribution percentage was unreasonable.

Reason for source test

The source test recognises that persons who transfer assets to a structure generally retain some means of control. Taking the origins of the assets into account complements and strengthens the attribution process and circumvents potential avoidance mechanisms.

Factors to consider in the source test

It is not the intention that the source test be absolute. Whether or not a person who has placed assets in an entity is attributed those assets will depend on the circumstances of the case. Where the matter is unclear, issues such as the level of contributions made and whether the person who made the contribution can exhibit control will need to be investigated. If a person can show that a genuine gift or genuine loan has been made to a private trust or private company, and that they have no on-going involvement in the structure, attribution would generally not be made to that person.    

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Example of source test for a private trust

George, aged 54, has decided to set up a family trust. The assets of the trust will consist of George's investment portfolio and holiday house worth $600,000. The family home worth $150,000 will also be part of the trust assets. He attends an investment seminar in June 2000 and learns that from 1 January 2002 he may be attributed with the assets and income of the trust, which will make him ineligible for a Service Pension when he turns 60. He seeks to circumvent the new rules by setting up the trust with his son David as the appointor.

David undertakes to act in accordance with George's wishes and agrees that George will be the unofficial beneficiary of the trust income. While George trusts his son he decides to keep substantial assets out of the trust. These assets are used as an additional incentive for David to acquiesce ie they will eventually become David's if he abides by their agreement. (In fact George could also be considered to be in control via the associates rule). Under the source test, George will still be attributed with the trust assets and income and would not have an entitlement to pension.     

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An individual passes the source test in relation to a trust or company if:

  • the individual has transferred property or services to the entity after 7.30 pm, by standard time in the Australian Capital Territory, on 9 May 2000, and
  • the underlying transfer was made for no consideration or for a consideration less than the arm's length amount in relation to the underlying transfer.

 

 

According to section 52ZZH of the VEA, a trust is a controlled private trust in relation to an individual if the company is a designated private trust and the individual passes either the:

 

 

According to section 52ZZC of the VEA, a company is a controlled private company in relation to an individual if the company is a designated private company  and the individual passes either the:

 

 

For adequate financial consideration to be received when disposing of an asset, a person must receive value in the form of money or assets. Adequate financial consideration can be accepted when the amounts received reasonably equate to the market value of the asset. It may be necessary to obtain a valuation from a property valuation service provider.

When disposing of income, in order for adequate financial consideration to be received, the person must receive money, goods or services which approximate in value to the rate of disposed income. If a person disposes of an income producing asset and receives adequate financial consideration in money or money's worth for the asset, then it can be accepted that they have received adequate financial consideration for the disposal of both the income and the asset.

 

 

Attribution percentage is the percentage of income or assets in the private trust or company that will be taken to be the income and assets of the pensioner for the purpose of the income and assets tests.  This only applies if the pensioner (or spouse) is determined to be a controller of the private trust or company.

Control includes control as a result of, or by means of, trusts, agreements, arrangements, understandings and practices, whether or not having legal or equitable force and whether or not based on legal or equitable rights.

An associate of an individual for the purposes of private trusts and private companies has the meaning given by section 52ZQ of the VEA.