Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities (Indirect Tax Concession Scheme) Determination 2000

I, ALEXANDER JOHN GOSSE DOWNER, Minister for Foreign Affairs, make this Determination under section 10B of the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1967.

Dated 28 May 2000

ALEXANDER DOWNER

Minister for Foreign Affairs

 

Contents

 Page

 1 Name of Determination 

 2 Commencement 

 3 Definitions 

 4 Missions covered by this Determination 

 5 Persons covered by this Determination 

 6 Acquisitions covered by this Determination 

 7 Uses covered by this Determination 

 8 Conditions 

 9 Manner of payment 

 10 Delegation 

Schedule 1 Details of scheme 

 

Delete : Parder

Dodelete : Divisaceholder

1 Name of Determination

  This Determination is the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities (Indirect Tax Concession Scheme) Determination 2000.

2 Commencement

  This Determination commences on the commencement of Schedule 7 to the A New Tax System (Indirect Tax and Consequential Amendments) Act (No. 2) 1999.

3 Definitions

 (1) In this Determination:

Act means the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1967.

member of the family or family member, in relation to a person, means any of the following members of the person’s family who forms part of the person’s household, and whose arrival has been notified to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Article 10 of the Convention:

 (a) the person’s spouse;

 (b) unmarried children up to the age of 21 years;

 (c) unmarried children up to the age of 25 years who are undertaking fulltime studies at an Australian educational institution;

 (d) unmarried children who are incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental disability.

sending State, in relation to a mission, means the overseas country which the mission represents.

taxable supply has the meaning given by section 195-1 of the GST Act.

tax invoice has the meaning given by section 29-70 of the GST Act.

 (2) In this Determination, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to a member of the diplomatic staff (including a head of mission), or the administrative and technical staff, of a mission covered by this Determination includes a member of the staff member’s family.

4 Missions covered by this Determination

  For subparagraph 10B (1) (a) (i) of the Act, a mission representing a country mentioned in an item in Schedule 1 is a mission covered by this Determination.

5 Persons covered by this Determination

  For subparagraph 10B (1) (a) (ii) of the Act, the following persons (in relation to a mission covered by this Determination) are covered by this Determination:

 (a) the head of the mission;

 (b) any other member of the diplomatic staff of the mission;

 (c) a member of the administrative and technical staff of the mission.

6 Acquisitions covered by this Determination

 (1) For paragraph 10B (1) (a) of the Act, the following acquisitions are covered by this Determination:

 (a) an acquisition of any of the following, recorded on a single tax invoice for a taxable supply of at least $200 (including indirect tax):

 (i) goods (by purchase or lease);

 (ii) diplomatic mail services;

 (iii) telecommunications services;

 (iv) electricity or gas services;

 (v) protection of premises services;

 (vi) removal of goods services;

 (vii) freight and cartage other than removal of goods;

 (b) an acquisition of goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act;

 (c) an acquisition of any of the following, if the acquisition is subject to an arrangement between the sending State and the Commonwealth for reimbursement of indirect tax:

 (i) construction or renovation services;

 (ii) real property;

 (iii) any other thing.

 (2) However:

 (a) a limitation mentioned in an item in Schedule 1 applies to an acquisition by a person mentioned in the item, if the acquisition is made for a use mentioned, in relation to that person, in the item; and

 (b) an acquisition of a motor vehicle for the personal use of a member of the diplomatic staff (but not a member of the staff member’s family) of a mission covered by this Determination is covered by this Determination only if:

 (i) the vehicle is acquired to replace a motor vehicle that has been stolen or damaged beyond repair and for which the staff member received:

 (A) a concession under section 10B of the Act; or

 (B) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act; or

 (ii) within the previous 3 years, the staff member has not received:

 (A) a concession under section 10B of the Act for the acquisition of another motor vehicle; or

 (B) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act on the importation of a motor vehicle; and

 (c) an acquisition of a motor vehicle for the personal use of a member of the family of a member of the diplomatic staff of a mission covered by this Determination is covered by this Determination only if:

 (i) the vehicle is acquired to replace a motor vehicle that has been stolen or damaged beyond repair and for which a family member (except the member of the diplomatic staff) received:

 (A) a concession under section 10B of the Act; or

 (B) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act; or

 (ii) the family member is eligible to hold a driver’s licence that is valid in Australia and, within the previous 3 years, no family member (except the member of the diplomatic staff) has received:

 (A) a concession under section 10B of the Act for the acquisition of another motor vehicle; or

 (B) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act on the importation of a motor vehicle; and

 (d) unless otherwise provided in Schedule 1, an acquisition of a locally-manufactured motor vehicle for the personal use of a member of the administrative and technical staff of a mission covered by this Determination is covered by this Determination only if:

 (i) the vehicle is acquired within the first 6 months of the staff member’s installation in Australia and no family member has previously received:

 (A) a concession under section 10B of the Act for the acquisition of another motor vehicle; or

 (B) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act on the importation of a motor vehicle; or

 (ii) the vehicle is acquired to replace a motor vehicle that has been stolen or damaged beyond repair and for which the staff member received:

 (A) a concession under section 10B of the Act; or

 (B) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act; and

 (e) an acquisition for the personal use of a member of the administrative and technical staff of a mission covered by this Determination (except an acquisition of a locally-manufactured motor vehicle) is covered by this Determination only if Schedule 1 states that the acquisition is covered for that use.

7 Uses covered by this Determination

 (1) For subparagraph 10B (1) (b) (ii) of the Act, in relation to an acquisition
of a kind mentioned in subparagraph 6 (1) (a) (i) or (vi) or paragraph 6 (1) (b), personal use by a person covered by this Determination is a use covered by this Determination.

Note   Under subsection 10B  (1) of the Act, a payment under the indirect tax concession scheme must be made for an acquisition, other than an acquisition of a kind mentioned in subparagraph 6 (1) (a) (i) or (vi) or paragraph 6 (1) (b), only if, at the time of the acquisition, the acquisition was intended for the official use of the mission.

 (2) However, personal use of an acquisition mentioned in subsection (1) by a person covered by this Determination is covered by this Determination only if:

 (a) the person is not:

 (i) an Australian citizen; or

 (ii) ordinarily resident in Australia or in an external Territory; or

 (b) Schedule 1 states that the acquisition is covered for the personal use of the person.

8 Conditions

 (1) For paragraph 10B (3) (a) of the Act, the amount mentioned in subsection 10B (1) of the Act is payable only if the following conditions are satisfied:

 (a) the person who made the acquisition is subject to an agreement in writing between the head of the mission and the Commonwealth to repay to the Commonwealth the amount worked out in subsection (2) if:

 (i) for a payment in relation to an acquisition of a motor vehicle — the person disposes of the motor vehicle (except to another person entitled to the same privileges and immunities under this Determination) in Australia or an external Territory within 3 years after it was acquired; or

 (ii) for a payment in relation to an acquisition of goods other than a motor vehicle — the person disposes of the goods (except to another person entitled to the same privileges and immunities under this Determination) in Australia or an external Territory within 2 years after they were acquired; or

 (iii) for a payment in relation to any other acquisition (except an acquisition covered by paragraph 6 (1) (c)) — the person assigns the benefits acquired to another person (except another person entitled to the same privileges and immunities under this Determination) in Australia or an external Territory;

 (b) if the person who made the acquisition has breached a previous agreement under paragraph (a) — the person complies with any written requirements, including a requirement to give security, that the Minister considers necessary to ensure the person complies with the agreement.

 (2) For paragraph (1) (a), the amount to be repaid is:

 (a) for an acquisition to which subparagraph (1) (a) (i) or (ii) applies — the proportion of the amount paid under section 10B of the Act for the acquisition that is equal to the proportion of the period mentioned in that subparagraph remaining after the person disposes of the goods; and

 (b) for an acquisition to which subparagraph (1) (a) (iii) applies — the amount paid under section 10B of the Act for the acquisition.

 (3) A claim for the amount to be paid under section 10B of the Act:

 (a) must be signed by or on behalf of the head of the mission; and

 (b) must be sent with the tax invoice for the acquisition; and

 (c) must be sent:

 (i) for acquisition of a motor vehicle — to the Protocol Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; or

 (ii) in any other case — to the Australian Taxation Office; and

 (d) for acquisition of a motor vehicle or an acquisition of real property by lease — may be sent at any time after the acquisition; and

 (e) for an acquisition of a kind mentioned in paragraph 6 (1) (c), except an acquisition of real property by lease — may only be sent:

 (i) in accordance with the arrangement mentioned in that paragraph; or

 (ii) if the arrangement does not specify a time when a claim may be sent:

 (A) with another claim; or

 (B) at least 3 months after another claim from the mission is sent; and

 (f) for an acquisition that is not mentioned in paragraph (d) or (e) — may only be sent:

 (i) with another claim; or

 (ii) at least 3 months after another claim from the mission is sent.

Note 1   Paragraphs 8 (3) (e) and (f) are intended to limit the number of claims from each mission to one in each quarter, to minimise delays in the processing of claims.

Note 2   A claim must be in an approved form, see subsections 3 (1) and 10B (2) of the Act, and section 995-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

 (4) The amount mentioned in section 10B of the Act is not payable for an acquisition by a person if:

 (a) an amount was payable for a similar acquisition; and

 (b) the Minister tells the person in writing that, in his or her opinion, the mission’s, or the person’s, reasonable needs were met by that acquisition.

9 Manner of payment

  For paragraph 10B (3) (b) of the Act, the amount is to be paid to a single recipient or account nominated by the head of the mission.

10 Delegation

 (1) The Minister may, either generally or as otherwise provided by the instrument of delegation, by writing signed by the Minister, delegate to a person, the Minister’s powers under paragraphs 8 (1) (b) and (4) (b) of this Determination.

 (2) A power delegated under subsection (1), when exercised by the delegate, is taken to have been exercised by the Minister.

 (3) A delegation of power under subsection (1) does not prevent the exercise of the power by the Minister.

Schedule 1 Details of scheme

(section 4 and subsections 6 (2) and 7 (2))

Do elete : SchedulePlaceholder

Note   This Schedule lists the countries whose diplomatic missions are covered by the Determination. The Schedule also lists any exceptions to the standard package of concessions stated in sections 6 and 7 of the Determination.

Item

Country

Person and use

Limitation

1

Argentina

A member, or a family member of a member, of the administrative and technical staff, for personal use

As for diplomatic staff, except that acquisition of a motor vehicle for personal use is covered only if:

(a) the acquisition is made within 6 months of the staff member’s installation in Australia; and

(b) no family member has received:

 (i) a concession under section 10B of the Act for the acquisition of another motor vehicle; or

 (ii) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act on the importation of a motor vehicle

3

Bangladesh

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

4

Belgium

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

5

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

6

Brazil

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

7

Brunei Darussalam

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

8

Cambodia

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

9

Canada

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

10

Chile

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

11

China

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

12

Colombia

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

13

Croatia

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

15

Czech Republic

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

16

Denmark

A member, or a family member of a member, of the administrative and technical staff, for personal use

As for diplomatic staff, except that acquisition of a motor vehicle for personal use is covered only if:

(a) the acquisition is made within 6 months of the staff member’s installation in Australia; and

 

 

 

(b) no family member has received:

 (i) a concession under section 10B of the Act for the acquisition of another motor vehicle; or

 (ii) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act on the importation of a motor vehicle

17

Ecuador

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

18

Egypt

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

19

European Union

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

20

Fiji

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

21

Finland

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

22

France

 

 

22.1

 

Any person, for the official use of the mission

The concession is limited to furniture, furnishings, household appliances and office equipment for official premises (including the head of mission’s residence), telecommunications, real property leases, electricity and gas, removal costs for the head of the mission, locally-manufactured motor vehicles and other goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

22.2

 

A member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

25

Holy See

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

26

Hungary

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

29

Iran

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

30

Iraq

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

31

Ireland

A member, or a family member of a member, of the administrative and technical staff, for personal use

As for diplomatic staff, except that acquisition of a motor vehicle for personal use is covered only if:

(a) the acquisition is made within 6 months of the staff member’s installation in Australia; and

(b) no family member has received:

 (i) a concession under section 10B of the Act for the acquisition of another motor vehicle; or

 (ii) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act on the importation of a motor vehicle

32

Israel

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

35

Jordan

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

36

Kenya

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

37

Korea

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

38

Kuwait

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

39

Laos

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

41

Malaysia

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

42

Malta

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

43

Mauritius

 

 

43.1

 

Any person, for the official use of the mission

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act, telecommunications, electricity or gas

43.2

 

A member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

44

Mexico

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

45

Myanmar

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

46

Netherlands

A member or a family member of a member, of the administrative and technical staff, for personal use

As for diplomatic staff, except that acquisition of a motor vehicle for personal use is covered only if:

(a) the acquisition is made within 6 months of the staff member’s installation in Australia; and

(b) no family member has received:

 (i) a concession under section 10B of the Act for the acquisition of another motor vehicle; or

 (ii) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act on the importation of a motor vehicle

47

New Zealand

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

48

Nigeria

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

49

Norway

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

50

Pakistan

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

51

Papua New Guinea

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

52

Peru

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

53

Philippines

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

54

Poland

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

55

Portugal

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

56

Romania

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

58

Samoa

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

59

Saudi Arabia

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

60

Singapore

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

61

Slovakia

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

62

Slovenia

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

63

Solomon Islands

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

66

Sri Lanka

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

67

Sweden

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

68

Switzerland

Note   There are no exceptions to the standard package of concessions for this country

70

Turkey

A member, or a family member of a member, of the administrative and technical staff, for personal use

As for diplomatic staff, except that acquisition of a motor vehicle for personal use is covered only if:

(a) the acquisition is made within 6 months of the staff member’s installation in Australia; and

(b) no family member has received:

 (i) a concession under section 10B of the Act for the acquisition of another motor vehicle; or

 (ii) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act on the importation of a motor vehicle

71

United Arab Emirates

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

72

United Kingdom

A member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

73

United States

A member, or a family member of a member, of the administrative and technical staff, for personal use

As for diplomatic staff, except that acquisition of a motor vehicle for personal use is covered only if:

(a) the acquisition is made within 6 months of the staff member’s installation in Australia; and

 

 

 

(b) no family member has received:

 (i) a concession under section 10B of the Act for the acquisition of another motor vehicle; or

 (ii) an exemption from indirect tax under subsection 8 (1A) of the Act on the importation of a motor vehicle

74

Uruguay

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

75

Venezuela

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

76

Vietnam

 

 

76.1

 

Any person, for the official use of the mission

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles, goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act, telecommunications, electricity and gas

76.2

 

A member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act

77

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Any person, for the official use of the mission, or a member of the diplomatic staff, for personal use

The concession is limited to locally-manufactured motor vehicles and goods that are freed from duties of excise by section 9 of the Act