Preamble
Yes. If an amount is owed in respect of the acquisition of a CGT asset, the set-off of all or part of that liability constitutes money paid in respect of the acquisition of the asset for the purposes of the first element of the cost base in subsection 110-25(2) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) and the reduced cost base under section 110-55 of the ITAA 1997.
A set-off occurs if there are presently due mutual liabilities of sums certain owing between the same parties which they agree to set-off in equal amounts against each other.
The doctrine of set-off was considered in re Harmony and Montague Tin and Copper Mining Company (1873) 8 LR Ch App 407 (known commonly as Spargo's Case) where Mellish LJ said at 414: Nothing is clearer than that if parties account with each other, and sums are stated to be due on one side, and sums to an equal amount due on the other side on that account, and those accounts are settled by both parties, it is exactly the same thing as if the sums due on both sides had been paid. Indeed, it is a general rule of law, that in every case where a transaction resolves itself into paying money by A. to B., and then handing it back again by B. to A., if the parties meet together and agree to set one demand against the other, they need not go through the form and ceremony of handing the money backwards and forwards.
In FC of T v. Steeves Agnew & Co (Vic) Pty Ltd (1951) 82 CLR 408 Dixon J in approving the doctrine of set-off established in Spargo's Case said at 420: If cross-liabilities in sums certain of equal amounts immediately payable are mutually extinguished by an agreed set-off, that amounts to payment for most common-law and statutory purposes.
The doctrine of set-off also includes a set-off of equal amounts where unequal sums are owed by the parties if payment of the residue is effected by other means: FC of T v. Steeves Agnew & Co (Vic) Pty Ltd (1951) 82 CLR 408 per Dixon J at 421.
Therefore, if one of the amounts due in a set-off is in respect of the acquisition of an asset, the amount set-off constitutes money paid in respect of the acquisition of the asset for the purposes of the first element of the cost base in subsection 110-25(2) of the ITAA 1997 and the reduced cost base in section 110-55 of the ITAA 1997.
Company X advertises for sale a CGT asset for $120,000. Company Y, a trade creditor of Company X sees the advertisement and enters into an unconditional contract to purchase the asset for that amount. By the time Company Y is to due to settle the contract its finance department notes that there are presently due mutual liabilities, with Company Y having a debt due to it from Company X of $50,000 for services provided. Contact is made with Company X and it is agreed that the $50,000 debt owing to Company Y for the provision of services be set-off against the amount due for the acquisition of the CGT asset and the remaining $70,000 be paid in cash. The first element of the cost base of the CGT asset is the money paid of $120,000.
This Determination applies to years commencing both before and after its date of issue. However, it does not apply to taxpayers to the extent that it conflicts with the terms of settlement of a dispute agreed to before the date of the Determination (see paragraphs 21 and 22 of Taxation Ruling TR 92/20).