UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
|
BHP BILLITON LIMITED (ABN 49 004 028 077) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA (Address of principal executive offices) |
BHP BILLITON PLC (REG. NO. 3196209) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
ENGLAND AND WALES (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (Address of principal executive offices) |
| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F: [x] Form 20-F [ ] Form 40-F |
| Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [ ] |
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| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: [ ] Yes [x] No |
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4 December 2007
Number 35/07
BHP BILLITON ANNOUNCES ASSESSMENT BY AUSTRALIAN TAX OFFICE
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued assessments and is in dispute with BHP Billiton Limited (BHP Billiton) and its subsidiary company, BHP (Direct Reduced Iron) Pty Ltd in respect of the 2000 to 2006 income years. BHP Billiton maintains that the Group is entitled to the tax relief claimed.
The dispute is in respect of capital allowances claimed by the BHP Billiton group of companies in relation to Boodarie Iron (Australia) which ceased operations in August 2005.
The dispute involves primary tax of US$336 million (A$384 million) and interest (net of tax) and penalties of US$307 million (A$350 million).
The Company has taken legal advice and remains confident of its position. It intends to vigorously defend the assessment.
The outcome of the dispute is unlikely to be known for some time. In the meantime BHP Billiton believes that the matter is adequately provided for in the accounts.
BHP Billiton previously announced in June 2005 that the ATO had issued assessments against BHP Billiton Finance Limited relating to the cost of funding the Boodarie HBI plant. That matter is currently before the Federal Court of Australia.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia |
United Kingdom Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974 email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com |
| Don Carroll, Investor
Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2686 Mobile: +61 417 591 938 email: Don.A.Carroll@bhpbilliton.com United States |
Illtud Harri, Media
Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246 email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com South Africa |
| BHP Billiton Limited ABN
49 004 028 077 Registered in Australia Registered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Telephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 |
BHP Billiton Plc
Registration number 3196209 Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 |
The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia
| Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. |
| BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc | ||
| Date: 4 December 2007 | By: |
Jane McAloon |
| Name: | Jane McAloon | |
| Title: | Group Company Secretary |