Information for Tax Purposes

Securityholders should refer to the Plan Rules for the Distribution Reinvestment Plan and if necessary take independent advice on participation in the DRP.  These FAQs are intended for assistance only.  It is also important that you read the "Important information for your tax return" message on the Tax and Distribution page.

1.  How do I know what Distribution is paid to me each year?

A Taxation Statement will be issued by Asciano in September of each year.  The Taxation Statement and Taxation Guide are provided to security holders to assist them in preparing their income tax return.  Asciano recommends that independent advice be taken in regards to completing their tax return.

Please refer to the 2008 Taxation Guide

*Please note that there is no 2009 or 2010 Taxation Guide as no distributions were made in this period.

2.  For past Distributions paid, what is the:

• Record date
• Ex Date
• Payment date

A table with these dates is available by clicking here

3. For the FY08 Interim and Final Distributions what is the tax deferred amount per stapled security?

For a split between the taxable and tax deferred components of Distributions already paid
please click here.

Cost base information for capital gain purposes

4. What is the cost base of an Asciano stapled security for capital gain purposes?

A. Securities acquired through Toll demerger

Toll has received from the Australian Taxation Office a Class Ruling for investors on the demerger of Asciano from Toll. The Class Ruling confirms the tax consequences outlined in the Scheme Booklet.

A guide for individual holders on the tax implications as a result of the demerger and a tax calculator to assist in the allocation of the capital gains tax cost base between Asciano and Toll, and the Asciano Finance Trust and Asciano Ltd are available on the Toll website under Media Releases 2007

23 October 2007

'Guide Only' - Indicative CGT Cost Base Allocation Guide Toll / Asciano Shares (XLS File)
Restructure Fact Sheet on Shareholder Taxation Implications (PDF File)

For additional information please refer to the Information Sheet: Establishing the Cost Base and Sales Proceeds for Capital Gains Tax Purposes.

B. New securities acquired on market

Please refer to the Information Sheet: Establishing the Cost Base and Sales Proceeds for Capital Gains Tax Purposes

C. Securities acquired through the Capital Raising in June and July 2009

Securities acquired through the 1:1 Entitlement Offer and through the Institutional Placements should be allocated 59 cents to Asciano Ltd and 51 cents to Asciano Finance Trust. Refer also to Information Sheet: Establishing the Cost Base and Sales Proceeds for Capital Gains Tax Purposes.

5. How do I allocate the sale proceeds of an Asciano stapled security for capital gains tax purposes (CGT)?

Please refer to the Information Sheet: Establishing the Cost Base and Sale Proceeds for Capital Gains Tax Purposes

Distributions

6. What is the Asciano Distribution Policy?

Asciano intends to make Distributions to security holders.  Distributions will be funded from EBITDA after deducting net interest costs, cash tax payments and maintenance capital expenditure.  The Board of Directors will announce eligible distributions via notification to the ASX as required.

7. When will Asciano pay Distributions?

On 16 June 2010 the Board of Asciano announced that it will not pay a final distribution in respect of the 2010 financial year.  Please view ASX announcements for full details.  The Board of Asciano will announce via notification to the ASX when it intends to pay a distribution.

8. Does Asciano provide franking credits on its distibutions?

All distributions from Asciano to date have been from the Asciano Finance Trust, rather than from Asciano Limited.  Therefore, no franking credits have been able to be attached.

Distribution Reinvestment Plan

9. Does Asciano have a Distribution Reinvestment Plan (DRP)?

Yes.  The DRP provides Securityholders with a convenient and cost-effective way to increase their holding in Asciano Group by reinvesting all or part of the distributions payable on their Stapled Securities in additional fully paid Stapled Securities.

Please refer to the DRP Information Booklet.

10. How do I participate in the DRP?

To participate in the DRP go to the Security Services tab and click on the Reinvestment Plan tab.  Alternatively contact Computershare, Asciano's Share Registry.

Please refer to the DRP Information Booklet.

11. Is the DRP mandatory?

No.  Participation in the Plan is voluntary.  Securityholders may elect to participate in respect of all or part of their security holding.

If you do not wish to participate in the Plan you do not need to do anything.  Your distributions will continue to be paid to you in the usual manner.

12. Can I amend or cancel my participation in the DRP?

Yes.  Security holders may amend or cancel their participation in the DRP at any time by making the change online at Security Services tab and click on the Reinvestment Plan tab or by contacting Computershare, Asciano's Share Registry.

Any change will be effective in relation to the next distribution if received by Computershare on or before the Record Date for that distribution.

Please refer to the DRP Information Booklet.

13. Are there any costs associated with the DRP?

There are no brokerage, commission or other transaction costs payable on Stapled Securities provided under the DRP.  All administration costs are met by Asciano Group.

Participants will be liable for any taxes, stamp duty or other duties payable in relation to your participation in the DRP.

Please refer to the DRP Information Booklet.

14. What is the reinvestment price?

The Board of Asciano will notify Eligible holders of the Pricing Period and any discount applicable to the Acquisition price in relation to an eligible Distribution at or around the same time it notifies the ASX of the eligible distribution. 

For the eligible 2008/09 Final distribution the Acquisition price for eligible holders was $3.0074, being 2.5% on the average of the daily volume weighted sale price traded on the Australian Securities Exchange during the pricing period, from 1 July 2008 to 14 July 2008 (inclusive).

Please refer to the DRP Information Booklet.

15. What happens with custodian/trusts?

Your Custodian/Trustee will manage your participation in the DRP, you should discuss this with them directly.

16. What would happen to any residual cash balance if you withdrew from the plan.  Would the cash balance be paid out?

If you cease to be a Participant in the Plan or an Eligible Holder of Asciano Securities the residual cash balance will be paid to you.