Minors and low income tax offset changes
The Government has introduced legislation to implement its 2011 Budget announcement to bring an end to the ability of minors (children under 18 years of age) to access the low income tax offset (LITO) to reduce tax payable on their “unearned income” such as dividends, interest, rent, royalties and other income from property.
The changes are designed to discourage income splitting between adults and children, including through the use of trusts. Once formally enacted, the changes will apply to assessments from the 2011–2012 income year onwards.
Under the new rules, a trustee who is assessed on the income of a minor will not have access to the LITO in circumstances where the income is considered to be unearned income of that minor.
