There have been several changes to the deductibility of debits in relation to goodwill and other customer-related assets since the corporate intangible regime was introduced, and the treatment is dependent on when the asset was acquired or created.

For a summary of the changes since the regime was introduced, see the Decision table ― tax relief for acquisitions of goodwill.

‘Goodwill and other customer-related assets’ means:

1. •

   goodwill in a business or part of a business

2. •

   information which relates to customers or potential customers of a business or part of a business

3. •

   a relationship (whether contractual or not) between a person carrying on a business and one or more customers of that business or part of that business

4. •

   an unregistered trademark or other sign used in the course of a business or part of a business

5. •

   a licence or other right in respect of any of the above assets

CTA 2009, s 879A(2)

Collectively, these are referred in the legislation as ‘relevant assets’.