The ATO knows that many business owners naturally help themselves to their trading stock and use it for their own purposes.
This common practice can occur in businesses such as butchers, bakers, corner stores, cafes and more.
It regularly issues guidance for business owners on the value it expects will be allocated to goods taken from trading stock for private use. The table at right shows these values for the 2019-20 income year.
The basis for determining values is the latest Household Expenditure Survey results issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, adjusted for CPI movements for each category.
Note that the ATO recognises that greater or lesser values may be appropriate in particular cases, and where you are able to provide evidence of a lower value, this should be used.
| Type of business | Amount ($)
(ex GST) for adult/child >16 years |
Amount ($)
(ex GST) for child 4-16 years |
| Bakery | 1,350 | 675 |
| Butcher | 850 | 425 |
| Restaurant/cafe (licensed) | 4,640 | 1,750 |
| Restaurant/cafe (unlicensed) | 3,500 | 1,750 |
| Caterer | 3,790 | 1,895 |
| Delicatessen | 3,500 | 1,750 |
| Fruiterer/ greengrocer | 880 | 440 |
| Takeaway food shop | 3,440 | 1,720 |
| Mixed business
(incl milk bar, general store, convenience store) |
4,260 | 2,130 |
Related Resource:
This information has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this, you should, before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness, having regard to your objectives, financial situation or needs.
Carmen Du is a Chartered Accountant in the Brisbane office, delivering tailored financial advice with expertise in consolidation and reporting to support business growth.
