Summary of recommendations

Date

Recommendation 1:

The Working Group recommends that:

  • the Government note the savings options identified in this report; and
  • further analysis and consultation be undertaken before taking a decision to implement them.

Recommendation 2:

The Working Group considers that loss carry back would be a worthwhile reform in the near term and could be implemented consistent with a model that:

  • is limited to companies;
  • provides a two-year loss carry back period on an ongoing basis;
  • limits the amount of losses that can be carried back by applying a cap of not less than $1 million;
  • limits the amount of refunds to a company’s franking account balance; and
  • is phased in from 2013-14 with an initial one year carry back period.

Recommendation 3:

The Working Group recommends that the Government, as a matter of priority, undertake further analysis with a view to developing a model for reforming the same business test. One model for improving the existing loss integrity rules could involve a combination of:

  • modifying the existing SBT so that it better aligns with the modern business environment; and
  • introducing an alternative statutory drip-feed mechanism calculated on a straight line basis.