My article (with others) on the taxation of payments for household solar panel generated electricity has just been published in the Australian Tax Review.
‘Are returns received by householders from electricity generated by solar panels assessable income?’ (2014) 43 AT Rev 263.
Our answer is yes, where the electricity is fed back into the grid. This is contrary to the ATO’s position in private (and hence non-binding) rulings.The ATO should issue a public ruling to clarify the situation or the government could amend the tax law to exempt such receipts from tax.
This will undoubtedly be politically and economically a very controversial issue, one that needs addressing now.
I got access through my University Library and WestLaw.
