Alesco challenges $8.6m tax avoidance ruling in Appeal Court
The company is challenging a High Court decision that would see it pay $8.6 million in tax and penalties for using securities with the characteristics of both equity and debt.
(BusinessDesk) Western Australian-based Alesco Corp is challenging a High Court decision that would see it pay $8.6 million in tax and penalties for using securities with the characteristics of both equity and debt.
Counsel Lindsay McKay told the Court of Appeal in Wellington this case differs from other recent tax disputes in that Alesco had a commercially sound and economically rational reason for using the structure, in that it was buying New Zealand businesses.
The company used instruments known as optional convertible notes to fund the acquisitions because tax deductions on the New Zealand side of the Tasman were not countered by an offsetting tax derived from income in Australia.
Mr McKay told Justices Mark O'Regan, Rhys Harrison and Douglas White that Alesco chose the OCN structure after the Australian tax consideration tipped the balance in its favour.
"There is one instrument that I am aware of which throws up the benefit of New Zealand tax deductions but which throws up no matching and neutralising income in Australia, and that's the OCN."
That needs to be seen in the wider context of the New Zealand acquisitions, and wasn't simply a means to limit its tax liability, he said.
Where this case differs from other tax disputes is that Alesco's use of the notes was to fund the business acquisitions in New Zealand. "Tax had nothing to do with that business objective."
McKay said the High Court should have given greater weight to his argument in assessing alternatives to the use of the notes.
Had the company not used the OCN structure it would have funded the acquisitions completely through intercompany debt and reaped bigger tax deductions for the Australian parent, meaning the convertible notes could not have been designed simply for tax avoidance purposes, he said.
The hearing is set down for four days and is proceeding.
Paul McBeth
Wed, 11 Jul 2018
Wed, 11 Jul 2018
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Alesco challenges $8.6m tax avoidance ruling in Appeal Court
24262