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Our advocacy work: Franked distributions and capital raising
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Our advocacy work: Franked distributions and capital raising

Treasury released exposure draft legislation in September 2022 to implement an integrity measure announced by the previous Government in the 2016-17 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook to make corporate distributions unfrankable where they were funded by capital raising.

This is said to give effect to concerns raised by the ATO in Taxpayer Alert TA 2015/2, applying retrospectively to distributions made on or after 19 December 2016.

The concerns raised in the Taxpayer Alert seem to focus on public companies, particularly those with large institutional superannuation funds as shareholders, such entities deriving large benefits from franking credits.

However, the draft legislation applies more broadly and can apply to small closely-held companies.

In our response to Treasury, we stated it does not support the proposed measure and recommended that, if it were to be adopted, that it be limited to public companies so as not to adversely affect private groups where the same integrity concerns should not exist.

In particular, the draft legislation appears to adversely affect private companies as the integrity rule applies to distributions that are made outside of a company’s normal or regular practice.

This would almost inevitably be the case for almost all dividends paid by private companies (who tend to pay dividends on an ad-hoc or irregular basis).

We also included other recommendations including suggesting that the rule allow the Commissioner to debit the company’s franking account as an alternative to taxing shareholders who received the dividends, so as not to unfairly punish small retail investors.

You can read our submission below.

You can find out more about our advocacy work on the website here.

This content is general commentary only and does not constitute advice. Before making any decision or taking any action in relation to the content, you should consult your professional advisor. To the maximum extent permitted by law, neither Pitcher Partners or its affiliated entities, nor any of our employees will be liable for any loss, damage, liability or claim whatsoever suffered or incurred arising directly or indirectly out of the use or reliance on the material contained in this content. Pitcher Partners is an association of independent firms. Pitcher Partners is a member of the global network of Baker Tilly International Limited, the members of which are separate and independent legal entities. Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.
Nigel Fischer

Nigel Fischer

Chairman of Partners

Brisbane


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Alexis Kokkinos

Alexis Kokkinos

Partner

Melbourne


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Michael Minter

Michael Minter

Managing Partner

Newcastle and Hunter


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Leon Mok

Leon Mok

Managing Director

Perth


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Chris Ardagna

Chris Ardagna

Partner

Sydney


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