Goods and services tax: the meaning of the terms 'passed on' and 'reimburse' for the purposes of Division 142 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999

This Ruling explains the Commissioner's view on the meaning of the terms 'passed on' and 'reimburse' for the purposes of determining whether section 142-10 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (GST Act) applies to an amount of excess GST.

Part A of the Ruling sets out the Commissioner's views on when an amount of excess GST has been passed on to another entity.

Part B of the Ruling discusses the circumstances in which the Commissioner considers an amount of excess GST, which has been passed on to another entity, has been reimbursed to that other entity.

The Ruling does not discuss the circumstances in which the Commissioner may exercise the discretion in subsection 142-15(1) of the GST Act.

The Ruling also does not consider the operation of section 105-65 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (TAA). The Commissioner's views on that provision are contained in Miscellaneous Taxation Ruling MT 2010/1 Miscellaneous tax: restrictions on GST refunds under section 105-65 of Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

All legislative references in this Ruling are to the GST Act unless otherwise specified.

Division 142 was inserted into the GST Act by the Tax Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 1) Act 2014 and applies to tax periods starting on or after 31 May 2014. It replaces existing section 105-65 of Schedule 1 to the TAA, which applies to tax periods starting before 31 May 2014.

Under Division 142, a supplier self-assesses their entitlement to a refund of an amount of excess GST according to objective criteria.

The object of Division 142 is to ensure that excess GST is not refunded if this would give an entity a windfall gain. Generally, the Division operates so that a supplier is not entitled to a refund of an amount of excess GST where the supplier has passed on the GST to another entity (the recipient), and has not reimbursed that other entity for the passed-on GST. Where a supplier is uncertain whether it has passed on the GST or reimbursed, it may apply for a private ruling.

The policy behind Division 142 needs to be understood in the context of the scheme of the GST Act, [1] which is based on the following principles: • GST is remitted by suppliers who make supplies in carrying on their enterprise. Suppliers do not bear the GST because the tax is included in the price of what they supply • GST is effectively borne by private consumers when they acquire anything that is subject to GST, and • to ensure that GST is effectively borne by private consumers, registered entities are generally entitled to an input tax credit for the GST on what they acquire or import for the purpose of their enterprise.

If GST is passed on but there is a refund of the GST to the supplier, the supplier will generally have a windfall gain unless it reimburses the recipient of the supply. [2] Accordingly, a provision to restrict refunds of excess GST is appropriate to prevent windfall gains.

'Excess GST' is an amount of GST that has been taken into account in an entity's assessed net amount and is in excess of what was payable by the entity in the relevant tax period prior to taking into account or applying the provisions of Division 142. [3]

Excess GST does not include: • an amount of GST that was correctly payable but is later subject to a decreasing adjustment, and • an amount of GST that is payable but is correctly attributable to another tax period. [4]

Division 142 may apply regardless of how the excess GST arose. For example, excess GST can arise as a result of a mischaracterisation, a miscalculation, or a reporting or administrative error.

An amount of excess GST will only be refundable if: • it has not been passed on to the recipient, or • it has been passed on to the recipient, and the recipient has been reimbursed.

If the excess GST has not been passed on, section 142-10 does not apply and the supplier may, subject to the period of review, [5] request an amendment to their assessment for the relevant tax period to reduce the amount of GST attributable to that tax period. [6] Any resulting refunds will be paid or applied in accordance with Divisions 3 and 3A of Part IIB of the TAA. [7]

If the excess GST has been passed on to the recipient, section 142-10 applies to treat the excess GST as always having been payable, and payable on a taxable supply, until the excess GST has been reimbursed to the recipient. Once section 142-10 ceases to apply, the supplier can claim a refund of the excess GST. [8]

In cases where the supplier actually makes a supply, an adjustment event arises under Division 19 when the supplier reimburses the recipient as the reimbursement has the effect of changing the consideration for the supply, [9] or causing the supply to stop being a taxable supply. [10] In these cases, the supplier has a decreasing adjustment [11] which is attributable to the tax period in which the reimbursement is made to its recipient. The recipient has an increasing adjustment [12] where it is registered for GST and has claimed an input tax credit in relation to the acquisition. [13] The Commissioner's view on the operation of Division 19 is explained in Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2000/19 Goods and services tax: making adjustments under Division 19 for adjustment events.

If the excess GST arises because something that is not a supply is treated as a taxable supply, no adjustment event arises on reimbursement, and instead the supplier may, subject to the period of review, request an amendment to their assessment for the relevant tax period. [14] Any resulting refunds will be paid or applied in accordance with Divisions 3 and 3A of Part IIB of the TAA. [15] Where the recipient is registered (or required to be registered), any entitlement to input tax credits in relation to the excess GST will be reduced to nil. [16] Registered recipients who have already claimed an input tax credit in relation to the excess GST will need to request an amendment to their assessment for the relevant tax period. [17]

If section 142-10 applies (that is, where a supplier has passed on the excess GST and has not reimbursed the recipient), the supplier may request that the Commissioner exercise the discretion under section 142-15 to treat section 142-10 as not applying.

An overview of the operation of Division 142 may be illustrated as follows: * Alternatively, if the conditions set out in GSTE 2013/1 are met, you may make the correction in a later tax period.

Whether the excess GST has been passed on is a question of fact and must be determined on a case by case basis taking into account the particular circumstances of each case. However, section 142-25, and the policy and scheme of the GST Act more generally, give rise to an expectation that the excess GST will be passed on in most cases.

The Explanatory Memorandum to the Tax Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 1) Bill 2014 states that the GST Act envisages that the supplier 'passes on' the GST to the recipient of the supply. [19] This simply reflects the design of the GST as an indirect tax which is generally expected to be passed on to the customer when a supply is treated as a taxable supply.

If excess GST is included on a tax invoice, this is prima facie evidence that the excess GST has been passed on. [20]

However, while there is a general expectation that, in ordinary circumstances, excess GST has been passed on, the particular facts and circumstances of an individual case may demonstrate that excess GST has not in fact been passed on.

A supplier claiming a refund, because it considers that the excess GST has not been passed on, will need to clearly substantiate the grounds on which it claims the refund. In any dispute, the taxpayer would have the onus of proving that its circumstances are outside the ordinary and that it did not pass on the excess GST.

A supplier should have regard to the following matters when determining whether or not it has passed on the excess GST, including whether or not its circumstances are out of the ordinary: (i) the manner in which the excess GST arose (ii) the supplier's pricing policy and practice (iii) the documentary evidence surrounding the transaction, and (iv) any other relevant circumstances.

The question of passing on is one of fact and not of fairness - considerations of fairness may be relevant in deciding whether the Commissioner exercises the discretion under subsection 142-15(1), but are not relevant to whether excess GST has been passed on.

An amount of excess GST may arise in a variety of fact situations. The manner in which the excess GST arises is relevant in considering whether or not the excess GST was passed on.

Some common circumstances in which excess GST may arise include: • incorrectly treating something which is not a supply as a taxable supply • miscalculating a GST liability under the GST law • incorrectly reporting an amount of GST on a GST return • incorrectly treating a GST-free or input taxed supply as a taxable supply (including incorrectly apportioning the taxable and non-taxable components of a mixed supply).

Where an error occurs after the transaction has taken place, for example through a simple transcription error, this may point towards a finding that excess GST has not been passed on.

On the other hand, where the excess GST arises as a result of an error made before setting the price (for example, where a supplier incorrectly treats a GST-free or input taxed supply as a taxable supply), this error will generally flow through to the sale price paid by the recipient and is likely to point towards a finding that excess GST has been passed on.

Diana provides personal aquatic survival skills courses and swimming lessons. She holds qualifications issued by a relevant accrediting association. Diana's supply of the personal aquatic survival skills course is a GST-free supply of an education course under section 38-85 and Diana issues each student of this course with a tax invoice showing the amount of GST on the supply as nil.

When preparing her GST return, Diana mistakenly reports supplies of personal aquatic survival skills course as taxable and remits GST on each course.

As the excess GST arose when Diana filled out her GST return and she had issued tax invoices showing the amount of GST as nil, this would indicate that Diana has not passed on the excess GST.

Rehka runs a small business and treats a particular supply as GST-free. She issues tax invoices to her customers which indicate that the particular supply is GST-free. Subsequently she is audited by the ATO, which determines that she should have remitted GST on that supply. An amended assessment is raised and Rehka remits the outstanding amount assessed as GST. Contractually Rehka cannot recover the GST amount from the recipient of the supply.

Rehka later objects to the assessment on the basis that the supply was not taxable, providing new facts and evidence regarding the supply. The Commissioner decides that the particular supply is GST-free and allows the objection.

The facts and circumstances in this case indicate that Rehka has not passed on the excess GST to her customers. Rehka initially treated the supply as GST-free and the tax invoices indicate that no GST was passed on. Further, Rehka did not pass on the GST after the Commissioner's audit. Therefore, in deciding the objection, the Commissioner would determine that section 142-10 does not apply and that Rehka is entitled to a refund of the overpaid amount. Rehka can request an amendment to her assessment for the relevant tax period to reduce the amount of GST attributable to that tax period. [21]

This involves considering the supplier's conduct and knowledge at the relevant time of setting the price of a supply, and whether there have been any changes in the price to account for GST.

Where a supplier sets a price with the knowledge or belief that the transaction is subject to GST, including a belief that the GST which later proves to be an overpayment is a real cost of doing business, that will point towards a finding that the excess GST has been passed on.

This may be demonstrated where the price charged is calculated so as to exceed costs (including GST) by a profit margin. Even if there is very little or no profit margin, this will not necessarily mean that the GST was not taken into account as a cost.

Similarly, a GST liability calculated under either the margin scheme or the general rules is likely to be a foreseeable cost which forms part of the cost recovery and pricing structure of doing business.

On the other hand, where a supplier sets a price on the basis that no GST is payable on the transaction, and subsequently pays the GST liability without seeking (or being able to seek) recovery from the recipient, this may point towards a finding that the supplier has absorbed and not passed on the cost of the excess GST.

A supplier may seek to demonstrate that GST was not considered when setting the price it charged its customers. This is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that the excess GST has not been passed on. For example, where a supplier is a 'price taker' in a market that primarily makes taxable supplies, this usually indicates that the supplier has passed on the excess GST. The fact that the supplier may not have been aware of the GST cost when setting its prices is not enough by itself to demonstrate that GST has not been passed on. [22]

On the other hand, where a supplier sets its prices to a market that primarily makes non-taxable supplies, this may tend to support a conclusion that the supplier has not passed on the excess GST.

A supplier's conduct in adjusting the price of a supply may also reflect a change in the supplier's knowledge regarding the GST treatment of a transaction, and whether or not excess GST was passed on.

The fact that the supplier has reduced or increased the price of supplies by 10% is relevant, but not determinative of whether they have absorbed or passed on the excess GST.

Where a supplier increases its price on discovering that a supply it has treated as not being subject to GST is actually a taxable supply, this will point towards a finding that the GST has been taken into account in setting that higher price and has been passed on.

On the other hand, the fact that the price remains the same may indicate that excess GST has not been passed on.

However, the mere fact that the supplier has not increased the price is not determinative in deciding whether the excess GST has been passed on. There may be other circumstances, such as a reduction in other business costs, which allow the supplier to retain its profit margin and allow the price to remain constant.

Big-mart sells a range of food and retail products. Big-mart sets its prices at a level that is lower than its competitors for equivalent products. Big-mart contends that GST was not factored into its pricing methodology, despite the fact that it sets prices then adds GST at the end.

Big-mart realises that one of its products is GST-free, but has been treated as taxable. Big-mart reduces the price of the product by 1/11th. The price reduction points towards a finding that the excess GST has been passed on.

Eric runs a pharmacy. He believes that all his products are GST-free and does not charge GST on them. Some months later, Eric hears from a neighbouring pharmacist that some of his products are actually taxable. He identifies the products concerned and treats them as taxable. However, he does not increase prices for these products as he is able to maintain his profit margin by negotiating a corresponding lower price for the product from his supplier.

Eric subsequently discovers that he has mistakenly treated one of those products as taxable.

The fact that Eric did not increase the price of that product to take account of the GST is not determinative in deciding whether GST has been passed on. As Eric was able to maintain his profit margin through the reduction in the price he paid to his supplier, this indicates that the excess GST has been passed on.

Whether GST is included in the price of a supply may be demonstrated by the documentary evidence surrounding that transaction. This evidence may be in any form, including a tax invoice, a contract of sale, other correspondence between the parties, or internal pricing policy documents and other relevant manuals.

In most cases, a supplier will have issued a tax invoice, or received a recipient created tax invoice, for the transaction which gives rise to the excess GST. In other cases where a supply is made under contractual obligations (such as a supply of real property), a contract of sale may disclose that GST has been included in the price of the supply.

Subsection 142-25(2) provides that a tax invoice, issued to or by another entity, containing enough information to allow the amount of GST payable in relation to the supply to be clearly ascertained, is prima facie evidence of the excess GST having been passed on (although in cases where the supplier must pay an assessed net amount, the invoice is only prima facie evidence if the amount has been paid).

However, the tax invoice is only prima facie evidence. It is not conclusive evidence and there may be other documentary evidence to indicate that the excess GST has not been passed on. For example, a written agreement entered into by the supplier and recipient on the basis that a supply is GST-free is documentary evidence indicating that the excess GST has not been passed on, even though a tax invoice showing an amount of GST was inadvertently created and issued by the supplier. Under these circumstances, the recipient would not be entitled to claim an input tax credit.

Where a tax invoice has been issued, but the amount on the invoice has not yet been paid by the recipient, the non-payment is evidence that the excess GST has not yet been passed on. [23]

For example, a supplier accounting on an accruals basis (rather than on a cash basis) [24] can demonstrate that the excess GST has not yet been passed on to the recipient where the supplier: • issues a tax invoice to the recipient • remits the excess GST to the Commissioner in the tax period in which the tax invoice was issued • but can show that the recipient has not paid the amount shown on the tax invoice.

However, excess GST may have been passed on even if there is no tax invoice, or if a tax invoice has been issued but does not contain enough information to enable the GST amount to be clearly ascertained. [25]

If the supplier has not passed on the excess GST, then section 142-10 does not apply and the recipient is not entitled to an input tax credit in relation to the excess GST amount.

Taylor Co and David Co enter into an agreement for David Co to purchase Taylor Co's business as a GST-free supply of a going concern. All the requirements of section 38-325 are met and the contract of sale is clear that the supply is a GST-free supply.

As Taylor Co regularly makes taxable supplies, Taylor Co's new accounts manager does not realise that the supply of the business is a GST-free supply. The accounts manager issues a tax invoice to David Co showing an amount of GST payable, and includes the GST on the GST return.

Even though Taylor Co has issued a tax invoice for the supply showing an amount of GST payable, it has other documentary evidence including the contract of sale and other written correspondence with David Co which indicate that the excess GST has not been passed on.

There may be other facts and circumstances which are relevant to the question of whether excess GST has been passed on.

The Commissioner considers that, for the purposes of section 142-10, an amount of excess GST that has been passed on to the recipient is appropriately reimbursed when the recipient has been compensated an equivalent amount by the supplier. This reimbursement may be made voluntarily by the supplier or in satisfaction of a contractual obligation.

For the purposes of section 142-10, a supplier has reimbursed the recipient for the passed-on excess GST where: • reimbursement takes the form of a payment in money, [26] the setting off of mutual liabilities, or the issuing of a voucher, [27] the recipient must be able to choose the form in which reimbursement is made • the amount of the reimbursement corresponds to the amount of excess GST passed on to the recipient and the method of reimbursement ensures this is achieved, and • the reimbursement or journal entry under an agreement to set-off the liabilities between the parties has actually been made, and is not merely planned to be made. [28]

A supplier may self-assess its entitlement to a refund of the excess GST to the extent that it has reimbursed the recipient.

There may be situations where the supplier charges a recipient an 'administration fee' and reduces the reimbursement to the recipient by the amount of that fee.

In this situation, the supplier will be able to obtain a refund of the full amount of the excess GST it has passed on if: • the fee is based on reasonable administration costs incurred by the supplier in making the reimbursement, and • the customer agrees to pay the administration fee. [29]

If these conditions are not satisfied, section 142-10 continues to apply in respect of the excess GST passed on which the supplier has not reimbursed to the recipient. The supplier will not be able to obtain a refund of the full amount of the excess GST it has passed on.

An administration fee is one charged to cover the reasonable costs of effecting the reimbursement such as identifying the recipients and quantifying the amount of the passed-on excess GST. Costs will be considered reasonable when they closely reflect the actual costs incurred by the supplier in making the reimbursement.

Patel Co is registered for GST and makes a supply to Kim which Patel Co believes to be taxable. Kim pays $3,300 for the supply which includes GST of $300 and receives a tax invoice. Kim is not registered or required to be registered for GST.

In its quarterly GST return, Patel Co includes GST payable of $300 for the supply to Kim. The $300 is taken into account in Patel Co's net amount for the relevant tax period.

Subsequently Patel Co realises that the supply was not taxable and that the $300 is excess GST. The excess GST is taken to have always been payable until Patel Co reimburses Kim. However, Patel Co decides that it will only reimburse Kim if she agrees to pay a $10 administration fee. The fee closely reflects the actual costs incurred in making the reimbursement. Kim agrees to pay the fee and Patel Co reimburses Kim $300, less the $10 administration fee.

Consequently, Patel Co has a decreasing adjustment of $300 in the tax period in which it became aware of the adjustment.

If Kim had been registered for GST, she would have an increasing adjustment of $300 in the tax period in which she became aware of the adjustment.

There may be circumstances where only some of the recipients are able to be identified, so that the excess GST can only be reimbursed to known recipients. Where this occurs, section 142-10 ceases to apply to that part of the excess GST which the supplier was able to reimburse. The provision continues to apply to the excess GST passed on but not reimbursed to the unidentified recipients.

Frank's Food Cooperative has a number of regular customers who have joined the store's 'Fresh 'n' Friendly' Club. Frank's Food Cooperative also has a number of non-member customers who do not have cards.

Frank's Food Cooperative discovers that it has been selling a GST-free product as a taxable product. As Frank's Food Cooperative's point of sale software records each member customer's purchases against their membership card, it is able to identify which customers have purchased the particular product. Frank's Food Cooperative emails each of these customers and offers to refund the excess GST they paid.

Customers can elect to be reimbursed in cash, or to receive a prepaid debit card credited with the equivalent amount. All member customers who purchased the product are reimbursed the equivalent amount by the end of the month.

Frank's Food Cooperative is unable to identify the non-member customers who purchased the product and is unable to reimburse them.

As Frank's Food Cooperative has reimbursed its member customers for the passed-on GST, section 142-10 no longer applies to that part of the excess GST. Section 142-10 continues to apply to the excess GST that was passed on to the non-member customers who have not been reimbursed. Frank's Food Cooperative is able to self-assess its entitlement to a refund, equivalent to the amount reimbursed. Frank's Food Cooperative has a decreasing adjustment in the tax period in which it became aware of the adjustment.

Expo Co is registered for GST and treats a supply to Darcy, an entity registered for GST, as a taxable supply and issues a tax invoice showing an amount of GST included in the price of the supply. A few months later, Expo Co discovers that the supply is in fact GST-free. Expo Co has passed on an amount of excess GST to Darcy. Darcy has an outstanding liability owed to Expo Co.

In order to claim a refund of the excess GST, Expo Co must reimburse Darcy. Rather than reimburse Darcy in money, Expo Co and Darcy enter into an agreement to set-off their mutual liabilities and Expo Co and Darcy make journal entries in their accounts to reflect this agreement. The set-off of the liabilities represents reimbursement of the amount of excess GST that was passed on to Darcy.

Once, Expo Co has reimbursed Darcy, section 142-10 ceases to apply. Expo Co has a decreasing adjustment corresponding to the excess GST that it has reimbursed and Darcy has an increasing adjustment. [30]

Gavin Co is a large retailer that has introduced a new stock item, supplies of which it treated as taxable. Tax invoices were issued to customers showing an amount of GST on these supplies. Gavin Co later discovers that the supplies should have been treated as GST-free.

Gavin Co has an excess GST amount of $135,000 which was passed on to its customers.

In order to claim a refund of the excess GST that was passed on, Gavin Co must reimburse the excess GST that was passed on to its customers. However, Gavin Co is not able to identify those customers and so is unable to reimburse them.

Section 142-10 applies so that the excess GST is treated as always having been payable. Accordingly, Gavin Co is not entitled to a refund of the excess GST. [31]

This Ruling applies both before and after its date of issue. However, this Ruling will 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 this Ruling (see paragraphs 75 and 76 of Taxation Ruling TR 2006/10).

The term 'passed on' is not expressly defined [32] and therefore takes on its ordinary meaning. An analysis of Court decisions which considered the term 'passed on' in relation to sales tax will be examined below. Unlike sales tax, GST is a value added tax charged on the supply of goods and services at every stage of the supply chain, with the tax burden on business being relieved through input tax credits, and the tax ultimately being borne by the consumer.

While there are differences between the two tax systems, many observations made by the Courts in relation to sales tax are applicable in a GST context because both systems are designed on the basis that the entity liable to remit the tax is not the entity that actually bears the cost of the tax. That is, both tax systems involve the concept of passing on.

Hill, Lehane & Hely JJ stated in Amway of Australia Pty Ltd v. Commonwealth of Australia [1999] FCA 283; 99 ATC 4359; (1999) 41 ATR 443 (Amway): The phrase `passed on' and comparable variations, is not a technical expression. It says no more than that the tax is borne (although not paid) by the end consumer of the goods, who purchases them in a retail transaction. [33]

Their Honours further observed that the phrase had been carefully considered by the Federal Court in Otto Australia Pty Ltd v. Commissioner of Taxation (1990) 25 FCR 257; 90 ATC 4604; (1990) 21 ATR 567 (at first instance) and Otto Australia Pty Ltd v. Commissioner of Taxation (1991) 28 FCR 477; 91 ATC 4305; (1991) 21 ATR 1453 (Otto) (on appeal to the Full Court), and concluded that those decisions were authority for the following three propositions: [34] 1. The question whether sales tax is passed on requires no separate identification of sales tax in the price. 2. Sales tax would clearly be passed on in circumstances where the evidence was that the price was calculated so as to include within it the sales tax component. 3. Where the evidence in the case falls short of (2) the finder of fact may be satisfied that the sales tax has been passed on unless satisfied that the sales tax was not in fact included in the price. Sales tax will not have been passed on where the taxpayer bears the tax personally.

While the decisions in Amway and Otto are about passing on in the context of sales tax, and acknowledging that Division 142 has not yet been the subject of judicial consideration, the Commissioner takes the view that these propositions are equally relevant when determining whether excess GST has been passed on, and provide additional support for the matters set out in this Ruling being relevant to determining whether GST has been passed on. This view draws support from Federal Commissioner of Taxation v. DB Rreef Funds Management Limited (2006) 152 FCR 437; [2006] FCAFC 89; 2006 ATC 4282; (2006) 62 ATR 699 at ATC 4285; ATR 702, where Edmonds J observed: It is a fundamental premise of the GST Act that a supplier is entitled, and indeed expected, to pass on to the recipient of the supply the burden of the GST...

The expectation under the GST Act that excess GST is passed on is similar to under the former sales tax system, in that the entity liable to remit the tax is not intended to be the entity that actually bears the cost of the tax.

This was recognised by the High Court in Avon Products Pty Ltd v. Commissioner of Taxation (2006) 230 CLR 356; [2006] HCA 29; 2006 ATC 4296; (2006) 62 ATR 399 (Avon) where it was noted that 'The central feature informing this character of the sales tax is that the economic burden of the impost is generally not intended to be borne by the person liable to remit it; it is passed on.'

In Avon, the High Court further stated in regard to subsection 51(1) of the Sales Tax Assessment Act 1992, 'In this way, the Act evinces a stance against automatic recovery of sales tax merely upon proof that it has been overpaid'. The reason for this in an indirect tax system is the underlying premise that a supplier who remits the tax is not bearing the cost of the tax, and would receive a windfall gain if permitted to automatically receive a refund of an overpaid amount.

The following key principles are derived from the observations made in Avon, and from the policy intent of the GST Act: • in an economy geared to making a profit, businesses set up pricing structures to cover their foreseeable costs, which include GST [35] • GST is remitted by suppliers who make supplies in carrying on their enterprise. Suppliers do not bear the GST because the tax is included in the price of what they supply [36] • GST is effectively borne by private consumers when they acquire anything that is subject to GST [37] • to ensure that GST is effectively borne by private consumers, registered entities are generally entitled to an input tax credit for the GST on what they acquire or import for the purpose of their enterprise [38] • generally, there should not be a refund of excess GST to a supplier if this would give an entity a windfall gain [39] • it will be comparatively seldom that a supplier will be able to establish a circumstance out of the ordinary to show that the GST was not passed on. [40]

While there is an expectation that in ordinary circumstances excess GST is passed on, the facts and circumstances of each particular case will be determinative. As was stated by Hill J in Avon Products Pty Limited v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation [2004] FCA 475; 2004 ATC 4442; (2004) 55 ATR 520: [...] it is a hallmark of an indirect tax that the economic burden of it is passed on to the ultimate consumer. That may readily be accepted: [...] but if taken at face value may lead to the conclusion that sales tax is always passed on to purchasers in the price for which the goods are sold. While that will ordinarily be the case it is implicit in the provisions with which we are here concerned that there will be circumstances where the sales tax will not have been passed on to the purchaser. [41]

In this context, a supplier will need to have convincing grounds to demonstrate that its circumstances are outside the ordinary. A supplier will need to be able to positively demonstrate that it did not pass on excess GST.

This is consistent with the High Court's observations in Avon that: [...] once it is appreciated that it is in the nature of sales tax to be passed on, there is nothing remarkable in the consequence that proof to the contrary will occur comparatively seldom. [42] [...] it is for the entity to establish a circumstance out of the ordinary, namely that the amount of the overpayment ... has not been passed on. [43]

In considering the manner in which the excess GST arose, regard should be had to when, how and why the error resulting in the excess GST occurred.

When the error arose may be relevant to whether the supplier had the opportunity to pass on the excess GST.

Where an error occurs before the transaction takes place, it may be more likely that the supplier will have taken the excess GST into account in setting the price of a supply (or arrangement) or be in a position to recover the cost of the GST from the recipient.

For example, where the supplier mischaracterises a supply by incorrectly treating an input taxed or GST-free supply as a taxable supply, the costs of the GST will generally be embedded in the price of the supply, and be passed on to the recipient.

Where an error occurs after the transaction has taken place, the supplier is less likely to have passed on the excess GST. For example, the supplier may have incorrectly reported an amount of GST on a GST return through a simple transcription error in a supplier's internal reporting systems. Where the error is contained to the reporting on the GST return, and that error does not affect the transaction between the supplier and its recipient, then this will generally demonstrate that the excess GST has not been passed on.

An error may occur because a supplier mischaracterises a supply, for example, incorrectly treating a supply or arrangement as a taxable supply in the ordinary course of business and then including the excess GST in the relevant BAS. Subsequent audit activity or an internal review may later reveal that the supply was not taxable, or that the arrangement did not give rise to a taxable supply. Where the supplier mischaracterises a supply or arrangement in this manner, it is likely to have taken the GST into account, and is therefore likely to have passed on the cost of the GST.

Similarly, where a supplier miscalculates its GST liability under the margin scheme due to an error in calculating the cost base (lower than it should be) when determining the valuation of the subject property, the erroneous margin is likely to have been taken into account in determining the sale price of the property. This is likely to show that the excess GST has been passed on to the purchaser of the property. [44]

In a competitive market, businesses ordinarily set their prices taking into account a wide number of variables, which may include: • costs of production • availability of product or materials • operational cash flow • economic factors, such as supply and demand • customer preferences, loyalty and goodwill • location of neighbouring business premises • price matching in order to offer advantageous discounts, and • specific market conditions.

Where a supplier is registered for GST and knows of the imposition of GST on what it understands to be taxable supplies, it is likely that the supplier will adopt a pricing policy and structure for the recovery of GST and other costs from the recipient. It is not necessary for the GST to be a separately identifiable component of the price.

In Otto, Sheppard J remarked that: [45] Once it is conceded, as it has been, that the charge for each bin was computed by reference to costs which included sales tax, that cost was passed on. The fact that the sales tax was not passed on in an identifiable form is not in my opinion of relevance.

However, depending on the economic and competitive environment the business operates in, this may not always be the case. A taxpayer may be able to show that its prices were not set with regard to cost, which may lead to a finding that the excess GST has not been passed on. [46]

In Avon, the taxpayer operated a door-to-door selling enterprise. Each product was analysed and a regular price was set to ensure a profit margin which covered their costs and sales tax. Up to 85% to 95% of their products were sold at a discount price. However, the discounted price was also set at a level to ensure that each sales campaign would achieve a desired profit margin averaged over a range of products and a desired volume of sales. The lowest figure which Avon would price products at was cost, where cost included sales tax. Avon did not sell products at a loss. [47] Avon attempted to claim a refund of overpaid sales tax and argued that it had not passed on the sales tax in question.

In upholding the findings of the Federal Court [48] and Full Federal Court [49] that Avon had failed to establish that it had not passed on the sales tax, the High Court noted that: [50] [...] it is unsurprising that a seller's intention, whether subjective or objectively ascertained, will generally be to pass the burden of the impost on to the purchaser. Since the onus of proof lies upon the taxpayer, it will be for it to establish that a price which is set so as to ensure that it recovers its cost does not include the economic burden of the sales tax. (emphasis retained)

Where a supplier subsequently discovers that a supply mistakenly treated as input taxed or GST-free is taxable, that supplier is likely to attempt to increase the price of the supply to take account of the GST.

The fact that prices remain the same might be thought to point towards a finding that excess GST has not been passed on. However, 'there will need to be more proven than merely that prices remained constant'. [51]

In MTAA, the taxpayer leased a building to a government department for a term which began before 8 July 1999 (when the transitional rule took effect) and terminated after 30 June 2005 (when the transitional rule ended). From 1 March 2001, the rent increased by 10% on account of GST. The taxpayer reported and paid the GST on the rent. The Tribunal found that: The amounts of GST claimed to have been overpaid were passed on by the partnership to the Department through increases in rent charges. [52]

In Amway, the taxpayer calculated the taxable value of a product as 'cost plus 20%'. However, the taxpayer was subsequently required to utilise a taxable value of 'cost plus 35%'. The taxpayer argued that the increased sales tax had not been passed on because it had maintained the same prices on the products. The Court noted: [53] When sales tax on a particular item of goods is increased, it may well be that a taxpayer cannot increase prices above retail prices at which the goods are offered by competitors. It may be open to reduce the costs of the goods from the wholesaler and thus retain the same retail margin it had formerly made, passing the increased sales tax on to the purchaser rather than absorbing the increased sales tax by reducing its margin and perhaps reducing the retail price. Why should the price paid by the consumer, in such a case, not include a component for sales tax?

The Full Federal Court further noted that the evidence showed that the taxpayer in Amway had reduced its other costs with the effect of allowing profit margins to remain the same. The Court concluded that the sales tax was absorbed in the cost reduction which ordinarily would have been passed on to the consumer.

While it is common for not-for-profit entities to set prices so as to not recover all costs, each case must be assessed on its merits to determine whether the cost of GST has been passed on to recipients. Similar to other entities, it is appropriate to consider the conduct of the not-for profit entity in setting prices based on their knowledge at the relevant time, including any belief that GST is a real cost. Often, not-for-profit entities operate similarly to a normal commercial enterprise and, where this is the case, those entities should be considered in that context.

The fact that a tax invoice is prima facie evidence that an amount of GST has been passed on [54] means that the existence of, and the contents of, that document will generally provide evidence that GST is included in the price of a supply.

However, there may be other documentary evidence showing that, despite the tax invoice, excess GST was not passed on in the price of a particular supply. Or, despite the lack of a tax invoice, there may be other evidence indicating that excess GST was passed on.

For instance, GST is usually dealt with in contracts for a sale of real property. A common instance of this is the sale of land where the seller chooses to apply the margin scheme provisions to calculate the taxable amount of the supply (see Division 75). In the absence of a tax invoice, a written contract may provide evidence that the excess GST has been passed on. [55]

The following examples illustrate how consideration of these matters is relevant in determining whether excess GST was passed on. It is important to note that whether excess GST has been passed on is highly dependent on the individual facts and circumstances of each case, and facts which are different to those in an example may give rise to a different outcome.

In the examples where the excess GST has been passed on but not reimbursed, the supplier may request that the Commissioner exercise his discretion under subsection 142-15(1) to treat section 142-10 as never having applied.

Olivia subleases her restaurant to Koffees 2 Go while she is away overseas for a year. The lease payments are $11,000 per month including GST. Koffees 2 Go makes the lease payments regularly and a tax invoice is issued to Koffees 2 Go each month correctly showing the amount of $11,000, including GST. However, Olivia's bookkeeper incorrectly records the June lease payment twice and shows it as $22,000 in her accounts, which is in turn reflected in her GST return for that tax period.

Some months later Olivia discovers the accounting error leading to the excess GST in the tax period ending 30 June.

In this situation, the excess GST arose as a result of an accounting error after Koffees 2 Go has paid the June lease payment of $11,000. The tax invoice issued also reflects the correct amount of the payment. As such, the excess GST has not been passed on because only one amount of GST was passed on for that particular taxable supply.

Marky Market sells a GST-free product and sets its price to match those of its competitors. Other retailers are also selling the same product on a GST-free basis for the same price. The computer system in Marky Market erroneously coded the product as taxable which was shown on the tax invoice that issued to customers. The price the customer paid remained the same and the product was treated as taxable in Marky Market's GST return.

A few months later, Marky Market altered its computer coding system to correctly code the product as GST-free, without changing its price.

In this situation, the excess GST arose as a result of an error in Marky Market's computer coding system despite Marky Market considering that the product was GST-free and setting its prices accordingly. Marky Market did not change the price of its product after it discovered the error. Taken together, these circumstances show that Marky Market effectively bore the cost of the excess GST. That is, the excess GST was not passed on. [56]

A land developer, Emma Co, is registered for GST and subdivides a parcel of land into 20 individual lots. Emma Co apportions the acquisition cost for the parcel of land between each subdivided lot based on area. The business case for the development takes into account an amount of GST calculated under the margin scheme for each lot. Emma Co sells 18 of the lots of land at its predetermined sale price on the understanding that the purchaser agrees in writing to Emma Co's use of the margin scheme. Emma Co has trouble selling the remaining two lots. A decision is made to reduce the sale price of each lot by $25,000 and both lots are subsequently sold at the reduced price.

In relation to the sale of the last two lots, Emma Co mistakenly calculated its GST liability using the original expected sale price and not the reduced sale price. Emma Co's assessed net amount therefore includes an amount of excess GST.

Taking into account Emma Co's pricing policy and practice, the reduction in selling price and the application of the margin scheme, the amount of GST that Emma Co has passed on does not include the excess GST.

Max & Sons Ltd is a small family company which started land development operations in 2003 and first became registered for GST in that year. In 2012, Max & Sons decides to develop a small lot of land that it has owned since 1995. Max & Sons conduct a feasibility study, which includes taxation estimates (including GST) for the purposes of developing its business plan. The three townhouses in the project are completed in September 2014 and are sold under the margin scheme using a valuation day of 1 July 2000.

In September 2015, Max & Sons' business activities expanded and they engaged a new accountant who noticed an error was made in the calculation of the margin scheme in 2014 as it was entitled to use item 2 of subsection 75-10(3). That is, Max & Sons was entitled to make a valuation for the calculation of the margin scheme at the date the company was registered for GST in 2003. The latter date resulted in a higher valuation and consequently a lower taxable margin. This meant that the margin on the sale of each of the three townhouses should have been lower and, consequently, Max & Sons has an amount of excess GST.

In order to establish whether Max & Sons will be able to claim a refund of the excess GST, it is necessary to determine if the excess GST has been passed on. Since Max & Sons considered the amount of GST applicable under the margin scheme (albeit using the lower valuation figure) in determining its pricing policy and practice, and the townhouses were sold at a price including the GST which was paid by the purchasers, the evidence shows that Max & Sons have passed on the excess GST.

Sail Co sold international cruises and required deposits to be paid which could be forfeited if the purchaser cancelled their cruise within various periods of time before departure. Sail Co correctly treated the supply of the international cruises as GST-free exports. However, Sail Co treated the forfeited deposits as taxable and remitted GST for the deposits in their GST return.

Sail Co later realised that it should have treated the forfeited deposits for the supply of the international cruises as GST-free. The GST Sail Co paid on the forfeited deposits is excess GST.

While the excess GST arose as a result of a misclassification of the supply, Sail Co did not take this into account in setting its price for the international cruises and did not include GST in the price charged to customers.

It is considered that the excess GST remitted by the supplier in relation to the forfeited deposits for the cancelled international cruises has not been passed on. Accordingly, section 142-10 does not apply and Sail Co may claim a refund of the excess GST by requesting an amended assessment (without the need to reimburse its customers).

The Sarah Foundation is an endorsed charity, registered for GST, which stages an annual event for the aged and disabled. Historically, supplies of tickets to this event have been treated as taxable.

The Sarah Foundation seeks to make a small surplus from the event each year, and determines the ticket prices for the 2015 event based on ticket prices of the 2014 event. Since the Sarah Foundation believed the supply of tickets did not meet the nominal consideration or market value tests in section 38-250, it treated the supply of tickets as fully taxable and included GST for this supply in its net amount for the relevant tax period.

The Sarah Foundation later realises that it made an error in calculating the cost of the event, and that the supply of tickets actually met the nominal consideration or market value tests in section 38-250 and so should have been treated as GST-free.

In determining the ticket prices, the Sarah Foundation operated in a business-like way and did so with a view to making a surplus. The Sarah Foundation operated in a similar fashion to a normal commercial enterprise. Accordingly, there is an expectation that the Sarah Foundation has passed on the GST as GST was a foreseeable cost of conducting its enterprise.

In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is reasonable for the Commissioner to conclude that the process used to arrive at the price of the tickets took into account the belief that GST was payable and was a real cost of carrying on the enterprise.

As the Sarah Foundation had passed on the excess GST, section 142-10 applies to treat the excess GST as always having been payable on a taxable supply. The Sarah Foundation is unable to claim a refund until it reimburses ticket recipients for the passed-on GST.

Development Co is a property development company, registered for GST. Development Co makes a taxable supply of vacant land to Tim Co, another developer. In 2001, Development Co acquired the vacant land which had significantly increased in value by the time of its sale to Tim Co.

The parties agree in writing on a GST-exclusive amount and that an amount on account of GST can be charged using the margin scheme in calculating the GST liability on the supply.

The contract of sale confirms the GST-exclusive price and that the margin scheme is to apply to the sale. This indicates that some amount on account of GST is included in the total purchase price, which is later paid by Tim Co to Development Co. [57]

Even though no tax invoice is issued in respect of the supply, the contract of sale provides documentary evidence that an amount of GST has been passed on to Tim Co.

Reimbursement need not necessarily take the form of a payment in money. A supplier may reimburse the recipient by offsetting the amount of passed-on excess GST against a liability that is presently payable by the recipient to the supplier. [58]

Reimbursement by set-off may be evidenced by way of a journal entry. However, the mere making of journal entries does not reflect reimbursement in the absence of an agreement to set-off between the parties. [59] It is the agreement that provides the legal basis for discharging the liabilities between the parties, not the journal entry.

Reimbursement may also occur through the issue of a voucher that meets the requirements of Division 100. The voucher will be a valid form of reimbursement provided it can be redeemed for goods, services or other things and is of an equivalent value to the excess GST that was passed on.

The recipient must be able to choose the form in which the reimbursement is made, whether by way of cash, voucher, set-off of mutual liabilities or some combination of those things. This does not suggest that the supplier must offer every form of reimbursement but rather that the form of reimbursement offered must be acceptable to the recipient. For example, if a supplier offers a voucher as reimbursement, the recipient must be able to choose whether to accept the voucher or ask for payment in another form such as cash.

Paragraphs 72 to 75 of this Ruling cover the situation where a supplier charges an 'administration fee' to the recipient and reduces the reimbursement to the recipient by the amount of that fee.

In this situation, one requirement for the supplier to obtain a refund of the full amount of the excess GST it has passed on is that the fee is based on the reasonable administration costs incurred by the supplier in making the reimbursement. [60]

Administration costs will be considered reasonable when they closely reflect the actual costs incurred by the supplier in making the reimbursement.

It is recognised that the actual costs in making the reimbursement will vary from case to case. For instance, where the tasks associated with the reimbursement are quick and straightforward, the costs may be immaterial or low. However, where those tasks are time consuming or onerous, the costs may be higher. When the costs are higher and the supplier charges an administration fee accordingly, it should ensure that the administration fee charged is reasonable and be able to substantiate the costs involved.

The following is a detailed contents list for this Ruling: Paragraph What this Ruling is about 1 Background 7 Operation of Division 142 7 Is there an amount of excess GST? 12 Does section 142-10 apply? 15 Excess GST not passed on 16 Excess GST passed on 17 Commissioner's discretion 20 Ruling 23 PART A - THE MEANING OF 'PASSED ON' 23 When is excess GST passed on? 23 Expectation that excess GST has been passed on 24 Matters relevant to determining whether GST has been passed on 28 (i) the manner in which the excess GST arose 30 Example 1: Incorrectly reporting an amount of GST on a GST return 34 Example 2: Excess GST arising as a result of an audit 37 (ii) The supplier's pricing policy and practice 40 Was GST considered in setting the price? 41 Changes in price 47 Example 3: changes in price 52 Example 4: changes in price 54 (iii) The documentary evidence surrounding the transaction 57 Example 5: tax invoice accidentally issued 65 (iv) Any other relevant circumstances 68 PART B - REIMBURSEMENT AND ADJUSTMENTS 69 What constitutes reimbursement 69 Circumstances where an administration fee is charged to the recipient to cover the supplier's costs of reimbursement 72 Example 6: when an administration fee is charged to the recipient 76 Circumstances where only some of the recipients are able to be identified for reimbursement 81 Example 7: excess GST only able to be reimbursed 82 Example 8: excess GST passed on and reimbursed by way of set-off 87 Example 9: excess GST passed on and no reimbursement - section 142-10 applies 90 Date of effect 94 Appendix 1 - Explanation 94 PART A - THE MEANING OF 'PASSED ON' 95 When is excess GST passed on? 95 Meaning of 'passed on' 95 The policy and scheme of the GST Act 100 Matters relevant to determining whether excess GST has been passed on 107 (i) The manner in which the excess GST arose 107 When the error arose 108 The reason for the error 112 (ii) The supplier's pricing policy and practice 114 Was GST considered in setting the price? 115 Changes in price 120 Not-For-Profit Entities 125 (iii) The documentary evidence surrounding the transaction 126 Examples 129 Example 10: accounting error - incorrectly reporting an amount of GST on a GST return - excess GST not passed on 131 Example 11: computer coding error - excess GST not passed on 134 Example 12: miscalculating GST liability under the margin scheme - excess GST not passed on 137 Example 13: miscalculating GST liability under the margin scheme - excess GST passed on 140 Example 14: incorrectly treating a GST-free supply as taxable - excess GST not passed on 143 Example 15: not-for-profit - excess GST passed on 147 Example 16: margin scheme - evidence other than a tax invoice 153 PART B - REIMBURSEMENT 157 Reimbursement in a form other than a payment of money 157 Circumstances where an administration fee is charged to the recipient to cover the supplier's cost of reimbursement 161 Appendix 2 - Detailed contents list 165