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INCOME TAX ASSESSMENT ACT 1997 - SECT 134.1

Exercise of options

  (1)   This table sets out the effects of the exercise of an option (including an option that has been renewed or extended) on the * cost bases and * reduced cost bases of the grantor and the entity that exercises the option (the grantee ).

 

Exercise of options

Item

In this situation:

Effect on cost base and reduced cost base:

1

Option binds grantor to:

(a) * dispose of a * CGT asset; or

(b) create (including grant or issue) a CGT asset (call option)

For the grantee

The first element of the grantee's * cost base and * reduced cost base for the CGT asset is what the grantee paid for the option (or to renew or extend it) plus any amount the grantee paid to exercise it

For the grantor

See section   116 - 65

2

Option binds grantor to * acquire a * CGT asset (put option)

For the grantor

The first element of the grantor's * cost base and * reduced cost base for the asset acquired is any amount paid to exercise the option reduced by any payment received by the grantor for the option (or to renew or extend it)

For the grantee

The second element of the grantee's cost base and reduced cost base for the asset acquired by the grantor includes any payment the grantee made to acquire the option (or to renew or extend it)

Note 1:   If you granted, renewed or extended an option, CGT event C3 or D2   may happen.

Note 2:   Item   1 in the table is modified for certain options granted before 20   September 1985: see section   134 - 1 of the Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 .

Note 3:   Item   1 in the table is modified for ESS interests acquired under employee share schemes: see Division   83A and section   112 - 97.

Note 4:   This Division has no operation in relation to an option acquired under an employee share scheme if the option is exercised before the ESS deferred taxing point for the option: see Subdivision   130 - D. Division   83A applies instead.

  (2)   All the payments can include giving property: see section   103 - 5.

Example 1:   Steven obtains an option to buy a yacht (for $75,000) from Tom. Steven pays $5,000 for the option.

  Steven exercises the option. The first element of his cost base and reduced cost base for the yacht includes the expenditure he incurred for the option.

  So, the first element of his cost base and reduced cost base for the yacht is:

Start formula $75,000 plus $5,000 equals $80,000 end formula

Example 2:   An entity owns 1,000 shares in a company. Bill grants the entity an option which, if exercised, would require him to buy the shares for $2 each. The entity pays Bill 10 cents per share for the option.

  The entity exercises the option. Bill paid $2,000 for the shares. He received $100 from the entity for granting the option.

  The first element of Bill's cost base and reduced cost base for the shares is:

Start formula $2,000 minus $100 equals $1,900 end formula

  In working out whether the entity made a capital gain or loss on the sale of the shares, the second element of its cost base (and reduced cost base) includes the $100 the entity paid for the option.

  (4)   A * capital gain or * capital loss the grantee makes from exercising the option is disregarded. However, this rule does not apply if the grantee * acquired the option under a trust restructure (see Subdivision   124 - N) and, on exercising the option, held the resulting asset as an item of * trading stock.

Note 1:   The exercise of the option would be an example of CGT event C2 (about a CGT asset ending).

Note 2:   There is an exemption for the grantor if the option is exercised: see subsection   104 - 40(5).

  (5)   This Division does not apply to rights or options to which Subdivision   130 - B applies.

Note:   Subdivision   130 - B deals (amongst other things) with rights and options issued by a company or trust where you did not pay or give anything to acquire them.

  (6)   This Division does not apply to:

  (a)   an option to the extent that the option binds the grantor to * dispose of * foreign currency; or

  (b)   an option to the extent that the option binds the grantor to * acquire * foreign currency.

Table of Subdivisions

137 - A--When CGT events do not happen



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