Proceeds of Life Assurance Policies and the Estate Duty Assessment Act 1914–1974 (Cth)

Abstract

Section 8(4)(f) of the Estate Duty Assessment Act 1914–1974 (Cth) subjects to the charge for federal estate duty certain categories of proceeds of life assurance policies. It has proved to be the most litigated provision in the Act. In this article Professor Lindgren examines the anomalies and uncertainty which characterize the section. He suggests that the comparable provisions in the death duty legislation of the States are to be preferred and concludes that the federal provision should be amended along certain lines.