Research and Development: deductibility of returns on a non-share equity interest under section 73B of the ITAA 1936

Are returns on a non-share equity interest deductible under the research and development provisions contained in section 73B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936))?

No. Section 73B of the ITAA 1936 must be read subject to subsection 26-26(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) which prevents a deduction on a non-share distribution or a return that has accrued on a non-share equity interest.

The company is an 'eligible company' as defined in subsection 73B(1) of the ITAA 1936.

The company undertakes 'research and development activities' within the meaning of subsection 73B(1) of the ITAA 1936. The company entered into a financing arrangement after 1 July 2001 and has incurred 'interest expenditure' within the meaning of subsection 73B(1) of the ITAA 1936, during the year of income in the financing of research and development activities.

Subsection 73B(14A) of the ITAA 1936 provides that if an eligible company incurs interest expenditure during a year of income, the amount of that expenditure is allowable as a deduction from the company's assessable income in the year of income.

Subsection 73B(1) of the ITAA 1936, defines 'interest expenditure', for the purposes of subsection 73B(14A) of the ITAA 1936, as interest or an amount in the nature of interest incurred by the company during the year of income in the financing of research and development expenditure.

Subsection 26-26(1) of the ITAA 1997, provides that a company cannot deduct under this Act : (a) a non-share distribution, or (b) a return that has accrued on a non-share equity interest.

Subsection 995-1(1) of the ITAA 1997 defines 'this Act' to include the ITAA 1936. Subsection 26-26(1) of the ITAA 1936 essentially prevents any deduction for distributions in respect of a non-share equity interest. Non-share equity interest is defined in section 995-1 of the ITAA 1997 to mean an equity interest in a company that is not solely a share.

Subsection 73B(14A) of the ITAA 1936 was introduced in 1996 by the Taxation Laws Amendment Act No. 3 1996 (TLAA No. 3 1996). On the other hand, section 26-26 of the ITAA 1997 was introduced as part of the debt/equity measures contained in the New Business Tax (Debt & Equity) Act 2001 (an Act later than the TLAA No. 3 1996).

One of the objects of the debt/equity measures is to deal with the tax treatment of returns on financing arrangements (that is whether they may be frankable or may be deductible) (see subsection 974-10(1) of the ITAA 1997). To give effect to this object, section 26-26 of the ITAA 1997 was one of the provisions inserted to deny a deduction on distributions on financing arrangements that are characterised as equity interests. More importantly, there is nothing to indicate that the research and development provisions (in so far as they deal with the tax treatment of returns on financing arrangements) are to be excluded from the debt/equity measures.

Therefore, subsection 73B(14A) of the ITAA 1936 is to be read subject to subsection 26-26(1) of the ITAA 1997. This means that to the extent an 'interest expenditure' as defined in subsection 73B(1) of the ITAA 1936 is also a non-share distribution or a return that has accrued on a non-share equity interest, that amount is not deductible pursuant to subsection 26-26(1) of the ITAA 1997. Subsection 73B(14A) of the ITAA 1936 does not change this outcome. Note: For the same reasons, subsection 73B(14) of the ITAA 1936 must also be read subject to subsection 26-26(1) of the ITAA 1997 and the debt/equity measures, in so far as the relevant expenditure relates to a financing arrangement.