Income Tax Act 2007

Excluded activities U.K.

303 Meaning of “excluded activities” U.K.

(1) The following are excluded activities for the purposes of sections 290 and 300—

(a) dealing in land, in commodities or futures or in shares, securities or other financial instruments,

(b) dealing in goods otherwise than in the course of an ordinary trade of wholesale or retail distribution,

(c) banking, insurance, money-lending, debt-factoring, hire-purchase financing or other financial activities,

(d) leasing (including letting ships on charter or other assets on hire),

(e) receiving royalties or licence fees,

(f) providing legal or accountancy services,

(g) property development,

(h) farming or market gardening,

(i) holding, managing or occupying woodlands, any other forestry activities or timber production,

[F1 (ia) shipbuilding,

(ib) producing coal,

(ic) producing steel,]

(j) operating or managing hotels or comparable establishments or managing property used as an hotel or comparable establishment,

(k) operating or managing nursing homes or residential care homes or managing property used as a nursing home or residential care home, F2 ...

[F3 (ka) the subsidised generation or export of electricity, and]

(l) any activities which are excluded activities under section 310 (provision of services or facilities for another business).

(2) Subsection (1) is supplemented by the following provisions—

(a) section 304 (wholesale and retail distribution),

(b) section 305 (leasing of ships),

(c) section 306 (receipt of royalties and licence fees),

(d) section 307 (property development),

[F4 (da) section 307A (shipbuilding),

(db) section 307B (producing coal),

(dc) section 307C (producing steel),]

(e) section 308 (hotels and comparable establishments), F5 ...

(f) section 309 (nursing homes and residential care homes)[F6 , and

(g) section 309A (subsidised generation or export of electricity).]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 303(1)(ia)-(ic) inserted (retrospective to 6.4.2008) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 11 paras. 8(a), 10 (with Sch. 11 paras. 12, 13)

F2 Word in s. 303(1)(k) omitted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 22 of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 11(2)

F3 S. 303(1)(ka) inserted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 22 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 11(2)

F4 S. 303(2)(da)-(dc) inserted (retrospective to 6.4.2008) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 11 paras. 8(b), 10 (with Sch. 11 paras. 12, 13)

F5 Word in s. 303(2)(e) omitted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 22 of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 11(3)

F6 S. 303(2)(g) and preceding word inserted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 22 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 11(3)

304 Excluded activities: wholesale and retail distribution U.K.

(1) This section supplements section 303(1)(b).

(2) In this section—

(a) subsections (3) and (4) are for determining whether a trade is a trade of wholesale or retail distribution, and

(b) subsections (5) and (6) are for determining whether a trade of wholesale or retail distribution is an ordinary trade of wholesale or retail distribution.

(3) A trade of wholesale distribution is one in which goods are offered for sale and sold to persons for resale by them, or for processing and resale by them, to members of the general public for their use or consumption.

(4) A trade of retail distribution is one in which goods are offered or exposed for sale and sold to members of the general public for their use or consumption.

(5) A trade of wholesale or retail distribution is not an ordinary trade of wholesale or retail distribution if—

(a) it consists to a substantial extent—

(i) in dealing in goods of a kind which are collected or held as an investment, or

(ii) in that activity and any other excluded activity taken together, and

(b) a substantial proportion of those goods are held for a period which is significantly longer than the period for which the trader would reasonably be expected to hold them while trying to dispose of them at their market value.

(6) In determining whether a trade of wholesale or retail distribution is an ordinary trade of wholesale or retail distribution regard is to be had to the extent to which it has the following features—

(a) the goods are bought by the trader in quantities larger than those in which the trader sells them,

(b) the goods are bought and sold by the trader in different markets,

(c) the trader employs staff and incurs expenses in the trade in addition to the cost of the goods and, in the case of a trade carried on by a company, in addition to any remuneration paid to any person connected with it,

(d) there are purchases or sales from or to persons who are connected with the trader,

(e) purchases are matched with forward sales or vice versa,

(f) the goods are held by the trader for longer than is normal for goods of the kind in question,

(g) the trade is carried on otherwise than at a place or places commonly used for wholesale or retail trade, and

(h) the trader does not take physical possession of the goods.

(7) In subsection (6)—

(a) the features in paragraphs (a) to (c) are regarded as indications that the trade is an ordinary trade of wholesale or retail distribution, and

(b) those in paragraphs (d) to (h) are regarded as indications to the contrary.

305 Excluded activities: leasing of ships U.K.

(1) This section supplements section 303(1)(d) so far as it relates to the leasing of ships other than offshore installations or pleasure craft.

(2) In the following provisions “ship” accordingly means a ship other than an offshore installation or a pleasure craft.

(3) If the requirements of subsection (4) are met, a trade is not to be regarded as consisting in the carrying on of excluded activities within section 303(1)(d) as a result only of its consisting in letting ships on charter.

(4) The requirements of this subsection are that—

(a) every ship let on charter by the company carrying on the trade is beneficially owned by the company,

(b) every ship beneficially owned by the company is registered in the United Kingdom,

(c) the company is solely responsible for arranging the marketing of the services of its ships, and

(d) the conditions mentioned in subsection (5) are met in relation to every letting on charter by the company.

(5) The conditions referred to in subsection (4)(d) are—

(a) the letting is for a period not exceeding 12 months and no provision is made at any time (whether in the charterparty or otherwise) for extending it beyond that period otherwise than at the option of the charterer,

(b) no provision for the grant of a new letting to end more than 12 months after the provision is made (whether in the charterparty or otherwise) is in force during the period of the letting otherwise than at the option of the charterer,

(c) the letting is by way of a bargain at arm's length between the company and a person who is not connected with it,

(d) under the terms of the charter the company is responsible as principal—

(i) for taking, throughout the period of the charter, management decisions in relation to the ship, other than those of a kind generally regarded by persons engaged in trade of the kind in question as matters of husbandry, and

(ii) for defraying all expenses in connection with the ship throughout that period, or substantially all such expenses, other than those directly incidental to a particular voyage or to the employment of the ship during that period, and

(e) no arrangements exist by virtue of which a person other than the company may be appointed to be responsible for the matters mentioned in paragraph (d) on behalf of the company.

(6) If in the case of the company carrying on the trade (“the letting company”) the charterer is also a company and—

(a) the charterer is a qualifying subsidiary of the letting company, or

(b) the letting company is a qualifying subsidiary of the charterer, or

(c) both companies are qualifying subsidiaries of a third company,

subsection (5) has effect with the omission of paragraph (c).

(7) If any of the requirements of subsection (4) is not met in relation to any lettings of ships, the trade is not, as a result, to be treated as consisting in the carrying on of excluded activities if—

(a) those lettings, and

(b) any other excluded activities

do not, taken together, amount to a substantial part of the trade.

(8) In this section “pleasure craft” means any ship of a kind primarily used for sport or recreation.

306 Excluded activities: receipt of royalties and licence fees U.K.

(1) This section supplements section 303(1)(e) (receipt of royalties and licence fees).

(2) If the requirement of subsection (3) is met, a trade is not to be regarded as consisting in the carrying on of excluded activities within section 303(1)(e) as a result only of its consisting to a substantial extent in the receiving of royalties or licence fees.

(3) The requirement of this subsection is that the royalties or licence fees (or all but for a part that is not a substantial part in terms of value) are attributable to the exploitation of relevant intangible assets.

(4) For this purpose an intangible asset is a “relevant intangible asset” if the whole or greater part (in terms of value) of it has been created—

[F7 (a) by the relevant company, or]

[F7 (b) by a company which was a qualifying subsidiary of the relevant company throughout a period during which it created the whole or greater part (in terms of value) of the intangible asset.]

(5) In the case of an intangible asset that is intellectual property, references to the creation of an asset by a company are to its creation in circumstances in which the right to exploit it vests in the company (whether alone or jointly with others).

(6) In this section—

• F8 ...

• “intangible asset” means any asset which falls to be treated as an intangible asset in accordance with generally accepted accountancy practice, and

• “intellectual property” means—

  (a)

  any patent, trade mark, registered design, copyright, design right, performer's right or plant breeder's right, or

  (b)

  any rights under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom which correspond or are similar to those falling within paragraph (a).

[F9 (7) If—

(a) the relevant company acquired all the shares (“old shares”) in another company (“the old company”) at a time when the only shares issued in the relevant company were subscriber shares, and

(b) the consideration for the old shares consisted wholly of the issue of shares in the relevant company,

references in subsection (4) to the relevant company include the old company.]

Textual Amendments

F7 S. 306(4)(a)(b) substituted (retrospective to 6.4.2007) by Finance Act 2007 (c. 11), Sch. 16 paras. 12(2), 13

F8 Words in s. 306(6) repealed (retrospective to 6.4.2007) by Finance Act 2007 (c. 11), Sch. 16 paras. 12(3), 13, Sch. 27 Pt. 2(16)

F9 S. 306(7) inserted (retrospective to 6.4.2007) by Finance Act 2007 (c. 11), Sch. 16 paras. 12(4), 13

307 Excluded activities: property development U.K.

(1) This section supplements section 303(1)(g).

(2) “Property development” means the development of land—

(a) by a company which has, or at any time has had, an interest in the land, and

(b) with the sole or main object of realising a gain from the disposal of an interest in the land when it is developed.

(3) For this purpose “interest in land” means, subject to subsection (4)—

(a) any estate, interest or right in or over land, including any right affecting the use or disposition of land, or

(b) any right to obtain such an estate, interest or right from another which is conditional on the other's ability to grant it.

(4) References in this section to an interest in land do not include—

(a) the interest of a creditor (other than a creditor in respect of a rentcharge) whose debt is secured by way of mortgage, an agreement for a mortgage or a charge of any kind over land, or

(b) in the case of land in Scotland, the interest of a creditor in a charge or security of any kind over land.

[F10 307A Excluded activities: shipbuilding U.K.

In section 303(1)(ia) “shipbuilding” has the same meaning as in the Framework on state aid to shipbuilding (2003/C 317/06), published in the Official Journal on 30 December 2003.

Textual Amendments

F10 Ss. 307A-307C inserted (retrospective to 6.4.2008) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 11 paras. 9, 10 (with Sch. 11 paras. 12, 13)

307B Excluded activities: producing coal U.K.

(1) This section supplements section 303(1)(ib).

(2) “Coal” has the meaning given by Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1407/2002 (state aid to coal industry).

(3) The production of coal includes the extraction of it.

Textual Amendments

F10 Ss. 307A-307C inserted (retrospective to 6.4.2008) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 11 paras. 9, 10 (with Sch. 11 paras. 12, 13)

307C Excluded activities: producing steel U.K.

In section 303(1)(ic) “steel” means any of the steel products listed in Annex 1 to the Guidelines on national regional aid (2006/C 54/08), published in the Official Journal on 4 March 2006.]

Textual Amendments

F10 Ss. 307A-307C inserted (retrospective to 6.4.2008) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 11 paras. 9, 10 (with Sch. 11 paras. 12, 13)

308 Excluded activities: hotels and comparable establishments U.K.

(1) This section supplements section 303(1)(j).

(2) The reference to a comparable establishment is to a guest house, hostel or other establishment the main purpose of maintaining which is the provision of facilities for overnight accommodation (with or without catering services).

(3) The activities of a person are not to be taken to fall within section 303(1)(j) unless that person has an estate or interest in, or is in occupation of, the hotel or comparable establishment in question.

309 Excluded activities: nursing homes and residential care homes U.K.

(1) This section supplements section 303(1)(k).

(2) “Nursing home” means any establishment which exists wholly or mainly for the provision of nursing care—

(a) for persons suffering from sickness, injury or infirmity, or

(b) for women who are pregnant or have given birth.

(3) “Residential care home” means any establishment which exists wholly or mainly for the provision of residential accommodation, together with board and personal care, for persons in need of personal care because of—

(a) old age,

(b) mental or physical disability,

(c) past or present dependence on alcohol or drugs,

(d) any past illnesses, or

(e) past or present mental disorder.

(4) The activities of a person are not to be taken to fall within section 303(1)(k) unless that person has an estate or interest in, or is in occupation of, the nursing home or residential care home in question.

[F11 309A Excluded activities: subsidised generation or export of electricity U.K.

(1) This section supplements section 303(1)(ka).

(2) Electricity is exported if it is exported onto a distribution system or transmission system (within the meaning of section 4 of the Electricity Act 1989).

(3) The generation of electricity is “subsidised” if a person receives a FIT subsidy in respect of the electricity generated.

(4) The export of electricity is “subsidised” if a person receives a FIT subsidy in respect of the electricity exported.

(5) But the generation or export of electricity is not to be taken to fall within section 303(1)(ka) if Condition A, B or C is met.

(6) Condition A is that the generation or export is carried on by—

(a) a community interest company,

(b) a co-operative society,

(c) a community benefit society, or

(d) a NI industrial and provident society.

(7) Condition B is that the plant used to generate the electricity relies wholly or mainly on anaerobic digestion.

(8) Condition C is that the electricity is hydroelectric power.

(9) For the purposes of this section—

• “anaerobic digestion” means the bacterial fermentation of organic material in the absence of free oxygen (excluding anaerobic digestion of sewage or material in a landfill);

• “community benefit society” means—

  (a)

  a society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions Act 1965 as a community benefit society, or

  (b)

  a pre-2010 Act society (as defined at section 4A(1) of that Act) which meets the condition in section 1(3) of that Act;

• “co-operative society” means—

  (a)

  a society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions Act 1965 as a co-operative society, or

  (b)

  a pre-2010 Act society (as defined at section 4A(1) of that Act) which meets the condition in section 1(2) of that Act;

• “FIT subsidy” means—

  (a)

  a financial incentive under a scheme established by virtue of section 41 of the Energy Act 2008 (powers to amend licence conditions etc: feed-in tariffs) to encourage small-scale low-carbon generation of electricity, or

  (b)

  a financial incentive under a similar scheme established in a territory outside the United Kingdom to encourage small-scale low-carbon generation of electricity;

• “NI industrial and provident society” means a society registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 (c. 24 (N.I.));

• “small-scale low-carbon generation” has the meaning given by section 41(4) of the Energy Act 2008.]

Textual Amendments

F11 S. 309A inserted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 22 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 12

310 Excluded activities: provision of services or facilities for another business U.K.

(1) Providing services or facilities for a business carried on by another person (other than a company of which the provider of the services or facilities is a qualifying subsidiary) is an excluded activity if—

(a) the business consists wholly or as to a substantial part of activities falling within any of paragraphs (a) to [F12 (ka)] of section 303(1), and

(b) a controlling interest in the business is held by a person who also has a controlling interest in the business carried on by the provider of the services or facilities.

(2) Subsections (3) to (5) explain what is meant by a controlling interest in a business for the purposes of subsection (1)(b).

(3) In the case of a business carried on by a company, a person (“A”) has a controlling interest in the business if—

(a) A controls the company,

(b) the company is a close company and A or an associate of A, being a director of the company, either—

(i) is the beneficial owner of more than 30% of the ordinary share capital of the company, or

(ii) is able, directly or through the medium of other companies or by any other indirect means, to control more than 30% of that share capital, or

(c) at least half the business could, in accordance with [F13 section 942 of CTA 2010 (options for purposes of ownership condition)], be regarded as belonging to A for the purposes of [F13 section 941 of that Act (trade transfers without change of ownership: ownership condition)].

(4) In any other case, a person has a controlling interest in a business if the person is entitled to at least half the assets used for, or of the income arising from, the business.

(5) For the purposes of this section—

(a) any rights or powers of a person who is an associate of another are to be attributed to that other person, and

(b) “business” includes any trade, profession or vocation.

Textual Amendments

F12 Word in s. 310(1)(a) substituted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 22 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 13

F13 Words in s. 310(3)(c) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 1184(1) of the amending Act) by Corporation Tax Act 2010 (c. 4), s. 1184(1), Sch. 1 para. 505 (with Sch. 2)