What Are The Changes To The Deemed Dividend Rules?

The deemed dividend laws in Division 7A are designed to ensure that income is not inappropriately sheltered in private companies at the corporate tax rate. It usually applies when a private company provides a benefit (such as a loan, payment, use of a company asset) to a shareholder (or their associate), and treats the benefit as a dividend paid by the company, which is then taxed at marginal tax rates in the hands of the recipient.

There are a number of exceptions to the deemed dividend rules. In particular, Division 7A will not apply to a loan made on commercial terms (e.g. adheres to maximum loan terms, minimum interest rates, minimum annual yearly repayments of principal and interest) or is fully repaid within a required timeframe (i.e. a complying Division 7A loan). The review into Division 7A found that these rules might be too complex and place an unnecessary compliance burden on taxpayers.

To that end, the government has now proposed to enhance Division 7A by making a number of changes including simplifying loan rules, implementing a self-correcting mechanism and safe harbour rules, as well as clarifying that unpaid present entitlements (UPE) come within the scope of Division 7A.

Simplifying the loan rules will involve the consolidation of the current 7-year and 25-year loan models with a single 10-year maximum term loan model. The annual benchmark interest rate used will be the small business variable overdraft indicator lending rate published by the RBA. While there will be no requirement for a formal written loan agreement, there must be evidence to show that the loan was entered into by the lodgment date of the company tax return.

Further, the principal component is a series of equal annual payments over the term of the loan and the interest component is the interest calculated on the opening balance of the loan each year using the benchmark interest rate. If the minimum yearly repayment has not been made in full, the shortfall will be the deemed dividend for the year. For those companies with current 7-year or 25-year loans, the proposal provides transitional measures.

In relation to the self-correcting mechanism, the proposed changes will allow qualifying taxpayers to self-assess eligibility for relief, by converting the benefit into a complying loan agreement and make catch-up payments of principal and interest. In certain cases, the concept of self-correcting may also include other appropriate action considered “reasonable” by the Commissioner based on the circumstances.

The introduction of the safe harbour rules will establish a formula for calculating the arm’s length value for the use of the asset by the shareholder (or their associate). A deemed dividend can be avoided where an arm’s length amount for using a company asset is paid. This formula can generally be used for the exclusive use of all assets excluding motor vehicles.

In addition to the above, the proposed changes will also make it clear that where a UPE remains unpaid at the time the company’s tax return is lodged, it will be a deemed dividend. This situation only applies where a trust makes a private company entitled to a share of its income/profits for the year and does not actually pay the amount. The change will ensure the deemed dividend will be assessable at the marginal tax rate of the beneficiaries of the trust or the top marginal tax rate (if assessable to the trustee).

All Too Complicated?

If you’re a shareholder (or their associate) of a private company and currently have Division 7A loans in place, we can help you figure out the transitional measures which may need to be implemented in the future. If you’re unsure whether the private company benefits provided to you currently fall under Division 7A, we can help you work that out too. Contact us today for more information on these potential changes.

5 December 2018