Qantas has lost a lengthy legal battle to recoup 34 million dollars in GST it paid to the tax office on unused tickets for flights.
The High Court today ruled that Qantas was not entitled to claim back the GST it collected on on tickets sold for flights that were never taken, and where customers never sought a refund.
Tax experts believe the decision could have implications for other companies selling tickets for events that never get used.
In a 4-1 decision, the court determined Qantas had still provided a service to those customers and therefore was liable to pay the GST it collected for tickets on unclaimed flights.
