Taxation Determination

TD 95/48

Income tax: a wholesaler of computers lends demonstration computers ('demonstrators') to prospective purchasers (excluding retailers) on the basis of 'approval, exchange or return' or to retailers for display purposes only. The wholesaler retains ownership at the time of providing the demonstrators. The demonstrators are not on consignment. Are the demonstrators 'trading stock' of the wholesaler for the purposes of section 70-10 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and 'trading stock on hand' of the wholesaler for the purposes of section 70-35 of that Act?

Please note that the PDF version is the authorised consolidated version of this ruling and amending notices.

This Ruling has been reviewed as part of a project to review public rulings. The ATO view expressed in this Ruling is current as of 30 January 2018.

This document has changed over time. View its history.

FOI status:

may be releasedFOI number: I 1014571

This Determination, to the extent that it is capable of being a 'public ruling' in terms of Part IVAAA of the Taxation Administration Act 1953, is a public ruling for the purposes of that Part. Taxation Ruling TR 92/1 explains when a Determination is a public ruling and how it is binding on the Commissioner. Unless otherwise stated, this Determination applies to years commencing both before and after its date of issue. However, this Determination does not apply to taxpayers to the extent that it conflicts with the terms of a settlement of a dispute agreed to before the date of issue of the Determination (see paragraphs 21 and 22 of Taxation Ruling TR 92/20).

[Note: This is a consolidated version of this document. Refer to the Tax Office Legal Database (http://law.ato.gov.au) to check its currency and to view the details of all changes.]

1. Yes, where at the end of the income tax year the prospective purchasers are still yet to contractually agree to the purchase of the demonstrators or the retailers still hold them for display purposes only. This follows from the wholesaler acquiring the demonstrators for the purpose of sale or exchange and still retaining dispositive power over them. Taxation Ruling IT 2670 provides an extensive discussion on the meaning of 'dispositive power'.

2. No, where at the end of the income tax year the prospective purchasers have agreed to purchase the demonstrators or the retailer now has dispositive power. This follows from the wholesaler now having entered into a contract of sale or consignment for the demonstrators and therefore no longer having the dispositive power.

3. Demonstrators lent out on a consignment basis would be subject to Taxation Ruling IT 2472.

4. This Determination also applies to other industries and taxpayers which lend out equipment under similar circumstances.

Example

5. The wholesaler has 37 demonstrators with prospective purchasers and 18 demonstrators with retailers for display only purposes at the close of business 30 June. During the weeks prior to 30 June the wholesaler had been advised that 13 of these demonstrators with prospective purchasers would be purchased and has entered agreements with retailers to dispose of 8 display only demonstrators.

6. The tax return of the wholesaler will show at least 34 of the demonstrators [(37 - 13) + (18 - 8)] as trading stock since the dispositive power is still retained over these demonstrators. The value of the trading stock will be valued, at the wholesaler's option, at cost, market selling value (which would be its second-hand or used value as at 30 June) or its replacement value in accordance with subsection 70-45(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

Commissioner of Taxation
30 August 1995

Previously issued as Draft TD 93/D258

References

ATO references:
NO CWD 264; NAT 95/6111-1

ISSN 1038 - 8982

Related Rulings/Determinations:

IT 2472
IT 2670

Subject References:
trading stock
trading stock on hand

Legislative References:
ITAA 1997
ITAA 1997 70-10
ITAA 1997 70-35
ITAA 1997 70-45(1)

TD 95/48 history

	Date:	Version:	Change:
	30 August 1995	Original ruling
	29 November 2006	Original ruling + note	Repeal provision note
You are here	23 June 2010	Consolidated ruling	Addendum

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