The introduction of the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms and the increase in SMSFs has seen listed investment companies (LICs) surge in popularity over recent years. Investors can gain exposure to a diverse portfolio of assets through around 100 LICs listed on the ASX. These LICs can be categorised in various ways, including by their asset class, market cap of investee companies, investment style, and whether they are internally or externally managed.
Not commonly discussed is the distinction between LICs that are deemed by the ATO to be ‘investors’ for tax purposes, versus LICs that are ‘traders’. The key differences between these two types of LICs relate to tax, franking, and dividends.
Investors for tax purposes
Many of Australia’s older LICs are investors for tax purposes. These include AFIC (ASX: AFI), which was established in 1928, and Argo Investments (ASX: ARG), founded in 1946. Investors for tax purposes tend to buy investments and hold them for the medium-to-long term. To maintain their status as an investor for tax purposes, these LICs generally turnover 10% or less of their investment portfolios each year. This type of LIC is typically suited to investment managers with a long-term investment horizon and low portfolio turnover.
For accounting purposes, LICs that are investors for tax purposes record movements in the value of their investment portfolios through the balance sheet, rather than the profit and loss statement.
Tax and franked dividends
The franked dividends these LICs pay shareholders are primarily derived from franked dividends received from the companies in the investment portfolio. These dividends are sometimes called ‘flow through’ dividends. When a LIC which is an investor for tax purposes realises (sells) an investment for a capital profit, the LIC can potentially pay a dividend to shareholders that includes a capital gain component. This is called a LIC capital gain dividend. This allows shareholders to claim the capital gains tax (CGT) discount as though they directly owned and sold the shares in the LIC’s underlying investee company. Over and above the benefit of franking flowing through the cash yield paid by the LIC, the capital gain component can be used to further reduce shareholders’ tax liability.
Traders for tax purposes
Many of the ASX's newer LICs are traders for tax purposes. These include the LICs we manage at Wilson Asset Management, such as WAM Capital (ASX: WAM) and WAM Leaders (ASX: WLE). LICs that are traders for tax purposes typically have higher turnover of their portfolios and are often employed by managers with a more active investment style.
LICs that are traders for tax purposes record mark-to-market movements in the value of their investment portfolios through the profit and loss statement, as opposed to the balance sheet.
Tax and franked dividends
Traders for tax purposes can pay dividends out of profits from realised gains, mark-to-market movements in the value of the investment portfolio and dividend income from investee companies. This increases their ability to pay a steadily-increasing stream of fully franked dividends which is particularly appealing to SMSF investors seeking a consistent yield.
Traders for tax purposes rely predominantly on paying corporate tax on realised gains to generate franking credits to attach to dividends paid to shareholders. These LICs derive some additional franking and dividend income from Australian investee companies in their portfolio.
Summary of key differences
| | Investors for tax purposes | Traders for tax purposes |
| Turnover | Typically low turnover of investment portfolio (below 10% p.a.) | Higher turnover of investment portfolio |
| Portfolio movements | Movements in the value of their investment portfolios through the balance sheet | Mark-to-market movements in the value of their investment portfolios through the profit and loss statement |
| Franking credits | Franking credits primarily generated from investee companies | Franking credits primarily generated by paying corporate tax on realised gains |
| Sources of dividend payments | Primarily derived from dividends received from investee companies | Derived from dividends received from investee companies, realised gains, and mark-to-market movements on the investment portfolio |
| LIC capital gain dividend | Can pay a LIC capital gain dividend | Cannot pay a LIC capital gain dividend |
Implications for investors
These different types of LICs provide advantages and disadvantages for shareholders and investment managers alike.
Investors should consider their financial objectives and circumstances, including tax implications of owning shares in each type of LIC. While investors for tax purposes and traders for tax purposes are distinct from one another in some regards, both offer the benefits of the LIC investment structure which make them popular with investors. These benefits include the ability to pay a steadily-increasing stream of fully franked dividends, transparency, accountability, and a closed-end pool of capital allowing the investment manager to make rational investment decisions.
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Chris Stott is the Chief Investment Officer of Wilson Asset Management. This article is for general information only and does not consider the specific circumstances of any individual.