Tax transparency

Taxes are an important mechanism by which Wesfarmers contributes to the communities in which we operate. Wesfarmers acknowledges taxes are a key source of revenue to stakeholders therefore it is our responsibility to have a high standard of tax governance to ensure we meet our statutory obligations. GRI207: Tax 2019 came into effect on 1 January 2021. We are pleased to show our continued support for corporate tax transparency by fully implementing the disclosure requirements in our approach to tax, tax governance framework and country-by-country reporting figures.

Approach to tax

Wesfarmers is committed to full compliance with statutory obligations and takes a conservative approach to tax risk. Our organisation’s tax strategy is publicly available in the Tax Contribution Report that has been published annually since 2016.

Our tax strategy is implemented through Wesfarmers’ Group Tax Policy (Group Policy 3.4). The Group Tax Policy is reviewed on a regular basis. It was last reviewed in March 2023 and was last updated and approved by the Audit and Risk Committee in March 2022. Wesfarmers’ Group Tax Policy includes an internal escalation process for referring divisional or business unit tax matters to the corporate Group Tax function. The Executive General Manager, Group Finance must report any material tax issues to the Wesfarmers Board.  

Wesfarmers’ approach to regulatory compliance is to operate and pay tax in accordance with the tax law in each relevant jurisdiction. Wesfarmers seeks to have a transparent and cooperative relationship with the Australian Taxation Office(ATO) and other relevant tax authorities.

Our tax strategy is aligned to our Code of Conduct and sustainable development strategies of the organisation. Our businesses’ structures are driven by commercial consideration, substance and are aligned with Wesfarmers’ conservative approach to tax risk.

Wesfarmers believes being transparent about taxes paid is critical to building trust with our communities and holds us and others to account. Contributing the appropriate amount of tax revenue in the communities in which we operate creates jobs and gives governments the opportunity to provide essential services to citizens and confidence to invest in their communities to make them more sustainable over the long term.

Tax governance and control framework

The Wesfarmers Audit and Risk Committee ensures the organisation is accountable for compliance with the Group Tax Policy. The Group Tax Policy allocates responsibility for compliance with Applicable Tax Laws¹ in all jurisdictions in which Wesfarmers operates between the corporate office, business units and divisions. It cannot be amended without approval from the Wesfarmers Audit and Risk Committee. Any updates to the Group Tax Policy are communicated to divisional chief financial officers and division/business unit tax managers (or equivalent) by the Wesfarmers Chief Financial Officer and Group Tax Manager.

Wesfarmers Group Tax Policy is underpinned by our core values framework of The Wesfarmers Way. The core values are: Integrity, Openness, Accountability and Entrepreneurial spirit.

See 2023 Tax Contribution Report here.

We are proud to publish our country-by-country reporting information in accordance with GRI 207: Tax for the 2022 year (2023 data to be published during 2024).

Wesfarmers’ approach to engagement with tax authorities is to seek to have a transparent and cooperative relationship with the ATO and other tax authorities. The ATO conducts an annual review of Wesfarmers’ Australian consolidated income tax returns in accordance with the Pre-lodgement Compliance Review (PCR) regime that applies to significant taxpayers, which includes Wesfarmers. The PCR arrangement formalises the requirement for Wesfarmers to disclose to the ATO all material transactions undertaken. Wesfarmers is also included in the ATO’s Justified Trust review of the top 100 taxpayers in Australia.

Wesfarmers captures the views and concerns of stakeholders through a variety of mechanisms, including investor roadshows, analyst calls and engagement with non-government organisations and key government agencies.

Country-by-country reporting for the 2022 financial year

Country-by-country reporting is the reporting of financial, economic and tax-related information on a jurisdictional basis. Wesfarmers’ country-by-country reporting for the 2022 financial year is reproduced below. The 2023 information will be published in the second half of 2024 following lodgement with the relevant tax authorities.

Reconciliation of differences between corporate income tax accrued on profit/loss and tax due 

A reconciliation of accounting profit to income tax paid or payable and the effective company tax rates for Australian and global operations of the Wesfarmers Group are tabled below for the 2023 and 2022 financial years.

_{The above table has been extracted from Note 29 of the 2023 Wesfarmers Annual Report}

_{¹ Applicable Tax Laws means income tax; goods and services tax; value added tax; payroll tax; superannuation guarantee tax; social security tax; fringe benefits tax; wine equalisation tax; customs duty, excise and fuel taxes; withholding tax; and any other tax law applicable to the operations of the division/business unit, in any location globally in which the division/business unit operates.}

_{The tax disclosures included within this website were prepared internally and were materially based on the financials included in the Wesfarmers 2023 Annual Report. Ernst & Young audited the 2023 Financial Report included within the Wesfarmers 2023 Annual Report. Ernst & Young has not separately audited the detailed financials included on this website in response to GRI 207.}

_{GRI 3-3, GRI 207-1, GRI 207-2, GRI 207-3 , GRI 207-4}