Income tax: a wholesaler of computers lends demonstration computers ('demonstrators') to prospective purchasers (excluding retailers) on the basis of 'approval, exchange or return' or to retailers for display purposes only. The wholesaler retains ownership at the time of providing the demonstrators. The demonstrators are not on consignment. Are the demonstrators 'trading stock' of the wholesaler for the purposes of section 70-10 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and 'trading stock on hand' of the wholesaler for the purposes of section 70-35 of that Act?

Yes, where at the end of the income tax year the prospective purchasers are still yet to contractually agree to the purchase of the demonstrators or the retailers still hold them for display purposes only. This follows from the wholesaler acquiring the demonstrators for the purpose of sale or exchange and still retaining dispositive power over them. Taxation Ruling IT 2670 provides an extensive discussion on the meaning of 'dispositive power'.

No, where at the end of the income tax year the prospective purchasers have agreed to purchase the demonstrators or the retailer now has dispositive power. This follows from the wholesaler now having entered into a contract of sale or consignment for the demonstrators and therefore no longer having the dispositive power.

Demonstrators lent out on a consignment basis would be subject to Taxation Ruling IT 2472.

This Determination also applies to other industries and taxpayers which lend out equipment under similar circumstances.

The wholesaler has 37 demonstrators with prospective purchasers and 18 demonstrators with retailers for display only purposes at the close of business 30 June. During the weeks prior to 30 June the wholesaler had been advised that 13 of these demonstrators with prospective purchasers would be purchased and has entered agreements with retailers to dispose of 8 display only demonstrators.

The tax return of the wholesaler will show at least 34 of the demonstrators [(37 - 13) + (18 - 8)] as trading stock since the dispositive power is still retained over these demonstrators. The value of the trading stock will be valued, at the wholesaler's option, at cost, market selling value (which would be its second-hand or used value as at 30 June) or its replacement value in accordance with subsection 70-45(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.