Making a choice to consolidate
(1) If:
(a) a * potential MEC group (the first group ) derived from 2 or more * eligible tier - 1 companies of a * top company is in existence at the start of a particular day; and
(b) that day is after 30 June 2002; and
(c) none of those eligible tier - 1 companies is already a member of a * MEC group or a * consolidated group;
those eligible tier - 1 companies, jointly, may make a choice in writing that the first group be consolidated on and after that day. If they do so, the choice must specify that day.
Note: The provisional head company must give the Commissioner a notice in the approved form containing information about the group (see sections 719 - 76 and 719 - 80).
Choice cannot be revoked or specified day amended
(2) A choice cannot be revoked and the specification of the day cannot be amended.
(3) A choice can be made no later than:
(a) if the company mentioned in subsection (3A) is required to give the Commissioner its * income tax return for the income year during which that day occurs--the day on which that company gives the Commissioner that income tax return; or
(b) otherwise--the last day in the period within which that company would be required to give the Commissioner such a return if it were required to give the Commissioner such a return.
(3A) The company is:
(a) in a case where subsection 719 - 75(1) or (2) applies--the company that will be the * head company of the group as at the end of the income year; and
(b) in a case where subsection 719 - 75(3) applies--the company that will be the head company of the group immediately before the group ceased to exist.
Company ceases to be an eligible tier - 1 company before choice is given to the Commissioner
(4) If:
(a) as a result of a choice:
(i) subsection 719 - 75(1), (2) or (3) would apply to the * MEC group concerned in relation to the * income year of a company in which the specified day occurred; and
(ii) in a case where subsection 719 - 75(1) or (2) applies--the company will be the * head company of the group as at the end of the income year; and
(iii) in a case where subsection 719 - 75(3) applies--the company will be the * head company of the group immediately before the group ceased to exist; and
(b) another company (the other company ) that was an eligible tier - 1 company at the start of the specified day ceased to exist at a time before:
(i) the day on which the company mentioned in paragraph (a) gives the Commissioner its * income tax return for the income year during which the day specified in the choice occurs; or
(ii) the last day in the period within which the company mentioned in paragraph (a) would be required to give the Commissioner such a return if it were required to give the Commissioner such a return; and
(c) having regard to all relevant circumstances, it would be reasonable to conclude that the other company would have been a party to the choice if the other company had continued to exist;
the other company is taken to have authorised the company that will be the head company as mentioned in subparagraph (a)(ii) or (iii):
(d) to make the choice on behalf of the other company; and
(e) to do, on behalf of the other company, anything else under:
(i) subsection (1) of this section; or
(ii) subsection 719 - 60(1) or (3).