Firm assessment requirements: written certified partnership instrument needed, with non compliance causing denial of partner deductions.
Clause 325 requires that a partnership be evidenced by a written instrument specifying each partner's share and that a certified copy accompany the return when assessment as a firm is first sought; certification must be by all partners (excluding minors) or relevant predecessors/representatives on dissolution. Once assessed as a firm, continuity of assessment applies unless the firm's constitution or shares change, in which case a revised certified instrument must be filed and the conditions reapply. Failure to comply triggers denial of deductions for payments to partners and prevents those payments from being taxed in the partners' hands.