Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988

CHAPTER VI U.K. MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTAL

Group income U.K.

247 Dividends etc. paid by one member of a group to another. U.K.

(1) F1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F2 (1A) A company falls within this subsection if—

(a) it is a 75 per cent. subsidiary of any other company, or

(b) arrangements of any kind (whether in writing or not) are in existence by virtue of which it could become such a subsidiary.]

(2) F1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) F1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) M1 Where a company (“the recipient company”) receives from another company (“the payer company”), both being bodies corporate resident in the United Kingdom, any payments which are [F3 deductible payments in relation to the payer company for the purposes of corporation tax] and either—

[F4 (a) the payer company is—

(i) a 51 per cent. subsidiary of the other or of a company so resident of which the other is a 51 per cent. subsidiary, or

(ii) a trading or holding company which does not fall within subsection (1A) above and which is owned by a consortium the members of which include the recipient company, or]

(b) the recipient company is a 51 per cent. subsidiary of the payer company,

then, subject to the following provisions of this section, the recipient company and the payer company may jointly elect that this subsection shall apply to any such payments received from the payer company by the recipient company, and so long as the election is in force those payments may be made without deduction of income tax and neither section 349 nor section 350 shall apply thereto.

[F5 (4A) The reference in subsection (4) above to a payment which is a deductible payment in relation to a company for the purposes of corporation tax is a reference to any payment which is—

(a) a charge on income of that company for those purposes; or

(b) a payment of interest in relation to which a debit falls to be brought into account in the case of that company for the purposes of Chapter II of Part IV of the Finance Act 1996 (loan relationships).]

(5) [F6 Subsection (4) above shall not apply to payments] received by a company on any investments, if a profit on the sale of those investments would be treated as a trading receipt of that company F7 . . . .

[F8 (5A) F9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[F10 (5B) F9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5C) F9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5D) F9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

(6) M2 Where—

(a) F11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) the payer company purports by virtue of an election under subsection (4) above to make any payment without deduction of income tax,

and F12 . . . income tax ought to have been deducted F12 . . . , the inspector may make such assessments, adjustments or set-offs as may be required for securing that the resulting liabilities to tax (including interest on unpaid tax) of the F12 . . . payer company and the F12 . . . recipient company are, so far as possible, the same as they would have been if F12 . . . the income tax had been duly deducted.

(7) Where tax assessed under subsection (6) above on the F13 . . . payer company is not paid by that company before the expiry of the period of three months from the date on which that tax is payable, that tax shall, without prejudice to the right to recover it from that company, be recoverable from the F13 . . . recipient company.

(8) M3 In determining for the purposes of this section whether one body corporate is a 51 per cent. subsidiary of another, that other shall be treated as not being the owner—

(a) of any share capital which it owns directly or indirectly in a body corporate not resident in the United Kingdom, or

(b) of any share capital which it owns indirectly, and which is owned directly by a body corporate for which a profit on the sale of the shares would be a trading receipt.

[F14 (8A) Notwithstanding that at any time a company (“the subsidiary company”) is a 51 per cent. subsidiary of another company (“the parent company”) it shall not be treated at that time as such a subsidiary for the purposes of this section unless, additionally, at that time—

(a) the parent company would be beneficially entitled to more than 50 per cent. of any profits available for distribution to equity holders of the subsidiary company; and

(b) the parent company would be beneficially entitled to more than 50 per cent. of any assets of the subsidiary company available for distribution to its equity holders on a winding-up.]

(9) M4 For the purposes of this section—

(a) “trading or holding company” means a trading company or a company the business of which consists wholly or mainly in the holding of shares or securities of trading companies which are its 90 per cent. subsidiaries;

(b) “trading company” means a company whose business consists wholly or mainly of the carrying on of a trade or trades; and

[F15 (c) a company is owned by a consortium if 75 per cent. or more of the ordinary share capital of the company is beneficially owned between them by companies resident in the United Kingdom of which none—

(i) beneficially owns less than 5 per cent. of that capital,

(ii) would be beneficially entitled to less than 5 per cent. of any profits available for distribution to equity holders of the company, or

(iii) would be beneficially entitled to less than 5 per cent. of any assets of the company available for distribution to its equity holders on a winding-up,

and those companies are called the members of the consortium.]

[F15 (9A) Schedule 18 shall apply for the purposes of subsections (8A) and (9)(c) above as it applies for the purposes of section 413(7).]

(10) M5 References in this section to F16 . . . payments received by a company apply to any received by another person on behalf of or in trust for the company, but not to any received by the company on behalf of or in trust for another person F16 . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 247(1)(2)(3) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 19(8) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 19(2), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

F2 1989 s.99(3).

F3 Words in s. 247(4) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 105(1) of the amending act) by Finance Act 1996 (c. 8), Sch. 14 para. 13(1) (with Sch. 15)

F4 S. 247(4)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 19(8) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 19(3)

F5 S. 247(4A) inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 105(1) of the amending act) by Finance Act 1996 (c. 8), Sch. 14 para. 13(2) (with Sch. 15)

F6 Words in s. 247(5) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 19(8) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 19(4)(a)

F7 Words in s. 247(5) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 19(8) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 19(4)(b), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

F8 S. 247(5A) inserted (3.5.1994) by Finance Act 1994 (c. 9), Sch. 16 para. 13

F9 S. 247(5A)-(5D) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para 4(2) of the repealing Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 (c. 58), Sch. 6 para. 4(1), Sch. 8 Pt. 2(11), Note

F10 S. 247(5B)-(5D) inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 7 para. 10(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 1997 (c. 16), Sch. 7 para. 10(1)

F11 S. 247(6)(a) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 19(8) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 19(5)(a), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

F12 Words in s. 247(6) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 19(8) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 19(5)(b)-(f), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

F13 Words in s. 247(7) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 19(8) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 19(6), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

F14 1989 s.99(4)in relation to dividends etc. paid on or after 27July 1989.

F15 1989 s.99(5)(6)in relation to dividends etc. paid on or after 27July 1989.Previously

“(c) a company is owned by a consortium if three-quarters or more of the ordinary share capital of the company is beneficially owned between them by companies resident in the United Kingdom of which none beneficially owns less than one-twentieth of that capital, and those companies are called the members of the consortium.”

in subs. (9)(c).

F16 Words in s. 247(10) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 19(8) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 19(7), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

Marginal Citations

M1 Source—1970 s.256(2)

M2 Source—1970 s.256(4), (4A); 1972 Sch.15 Pt.II

M3 Source—1970 s.256(5)

M4 Source—1970 s.256(6)

M5 Source—1970 s.256(7)

248 Provisions supplementary to section 247. U.K.

(1) M6 The Board may make regulations with respect to the procedure to be adopted for giving effect to section 247 and as to the information and evidence to be furnished by a company in connection with that section and, subject to the provisions of such regulations, an election under that section (“the election”) shall be made by notice to the inspector which shall set out the facts necessary to show that the companies are entitled to make the election.

(2) M7 The election shall not have effect in relation to F17 . . . payments paid less than three months after the giving of the notice and before the inspector is satisfied that the election is validly made, and has so notified the companies concerned; but shall be of no effect if within those three months the inspector notifies the companies concerned that the validity of the election is not established to his satisfaction.

(3) The companies concerned shall have the like right of appeal against any decision that the validity of the election is not established as the company paying the F17 . . . payments would have if it were an assessment made on that company, and Part V of the Management Act shall apply accordingly.

(4) M8 The election shall cease to be in force if at any time the companies cease to be entitled to make the election, and on that happening each company shall forthwith notify the inspector.

(5) Either of the companies making the election may at any time give the inspector notice revoking the election; and any such notice shall have effect from the time it is given.

(6) M9 The Board shall not make any regulations under subsection (1) above unless a draft of them has been laid before and approved by a resolution of the House of Commons.

Textual Amendments

F17 Words in s. 248(2)(3) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 20(3) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 20(2), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

Marginal Citations

M6 Source—1972 s.91(3); 1970 s.257(1)

M7 Source—1970 s.257(2)

M8 Source—1970 s.257(3), (4)

M9 Source—1972 s.91(3)

Stock dividends U.K.

249 Stock dividends treated as income. U.K.

(1) M10 Subject to subsections (7) to (9) below, this section applies to any of the following share capital, that is to say—

(a) any share capital issued by a company resident in the United Kingdom in consequence of the exercise by any person of an option conferred on him to receive in respect of shares in the company (whether the last-mentioned shares were issued before or after the coming into force of this section) either a dividend in cash or additional share capital; and

(b) any bonus share capital issued by a company so resident in respect of any shares in the company of a relevant class (whether the last-mentioned shares were issued before or after the coming into force of this section).

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above a class of shares is a relevant class if—

(a) shares of that class carry the right to receive bonus share capital in the company of the same or a different class; and

(b) that right is conferred by the terms on which shares of that class were originally issued or by those terms as subsequently extended or otherwise varied.

(3) Where a company issues any share capital in a case in which two or more persons are entitled thereto, the following provisions of this sectionand paragraph 12(1)to (3)of Schedule 19 F18 shall have effect as if the company had issued to each of those persons separately a part of that share capital proportionate to his interest therein on the due date of issue.

(4) Subject to the following provisions of this section, where a company issues any share capital in a case in which an individual is beneficially entitled to that share capital, that individual shall be treated as having received on the due date of issue income of an amount which, if reduced by an amount equal to income tax on that income at the [F19 Schedule F ordinary rate] for the year of assessment in which that date fell, would be equal to the appropriate amount in cash, and—

(a) [F20 the individual shall be treated as having paid income tax at the [F21 Schedule F ordinary rate] on that income] or, if his total income is reduced by any deductions, on so much of it as is part of his total income as so reduced;

(b) no repayment shall be made of income tax treated by virtue of paragraph (a) above as having been paid; and

(c) that income shall be treated [F22 [F23 (without prejudice to paragraph (a) above) as if it were income to which section 1A applies [F24 as it applies to income chargeable under Schedule F], but]shall be treated] for the purposes of sections 348 and 349(1) as not brought into charge to income tax.

(5) Where a company issues any share capital to the personal representatives of a deceased person as such during the administration period, the amount of income which, if the case had been one in which an individual was beneficially entitled to that share capital, that individual would have been treated under subsection (4) above as having received shall be deemed for the purposes of Part XVI to be part of the aggregate income of the estate of the deceased.

This subsection shall be construed as if it were contained in Part XVI.

(6) Where a company issues any share capital to trustees in respect of any shares in the company held by them (or by them and one or more other persons) in a case in which a dividend in cash paid to the trustees in respect of those shares would have been to any extent income to which section 686 applies, then—

(a) there shall be ascertained the amount of income which, if the case had been one in which an individual was beneficially entitled to that share capital, that individual would have been treated under subsection (4) above as having received; and

(b) income of that amount shall be treated as having arisen to the trustees on the due date of issue and as if it had been chargeable to income tax at the [F25 Schedule F ordinary rate]; and

(c) paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (4) above shall, with the substitution of “ income ” for “total income” and with all other necessary modifications, apply to that income as they apply to income which an individual is treated as having received under that subsection.

(7) M11 This section does not apply to—

(a) any share capital of which the due date of issue is earlier than 6th April 1975; or

(b) any share capital issued by a company in respect of shares in the company which confer on the holder a right to convert or exchange them into or for shares in the company of a class which is not a relevant class for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above where the due date of issue of the share capital so issued precedes the earlier of the following dates, namely—

(i) the day next after the earliest date after 5th August 1975 on which conversion or exchange of the shares could be effected by an exercise of that right; and

(ii) 6th April 1976 or, in the case of share capital issued by an investment trust, 6th April 1977.

(8) Where, in a case within subsection (4) above, the share capital in question is issued in respect of shares in the company issued before 6th April 1975 which confer on the holder a right to convert or exchange them into or for shares of a different class, this section shall not apply to so much (if any) of any bonus share capital issued by the company after 5th April 1976 in connection with an exercise of that right as would have been issued if that right had been exercised so as to effect the conversion or exchange of the shares on the earliest possible date after 5th April 1975; and subsections (5) and (6) above shall, where applicable, have effect accordingly.

(9) Where any bonus share capital falling within subsection (1)(b) above is after 5th April 1975 converted into or exchanged for shares in the company in question of a different class, then—

(a) this section shall not apply to any shares in the company issued, in connection with the conversion or exchange, in consideration of the cancellation, extinguishment or acquisition by the company of that bonus share capital; but

(b) section 230(a) and (b) shall apply to any shares in the company issued, in connection with the conversion or exchange, in consideration of the cancellation, extinguishment or acquisition by the company of so much of that bonus share capital as caused an individual to be treated under subsection (4) above as having received an amount of income on the due date of issue (or would have done so if the case had been one in which an individual was beneficially entitled to that share capital).

Textual Amendments

F18 Words repealed by 1989 s.187and Sch.17 Part Vin relation to accounting periods beginning after 31March 1989.

F19 Words in s. 249(4) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 10(4) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 (c. 58), Sch. 4 para. 10(2)(a)

F20 Words in s. 249(4)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 121(8) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 1996 (c. 8), s. 122(5)(b)

F21 Words in s. 249(4)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 10(4) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 (c. 58), Sch. 4 para. 10(2)(b)

F22 Words in s. 249(4)(c) inserted (16.7.1992 with application for the year 1992-93 and subsequent years of assessment) by Finance (No. 2) Act 1992 (c. 48), s. 19(4)(7)

F23 Words in s. 249(4)(c) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 28 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 1996 (c. 8), Sch. 6 para. 6

F24 Words in s. 249(4)(c) inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 10(4) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 (c. 58), Sch. 4 para. 10(2)(b)

F25 Words in s. 249(6)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 10(4) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 (c. 58), Sch. 4 para. 10(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 See Sch.10 para.5—profit sharing schemes.

Marginal Citations

M10 Source—1975 (No.2) s.34(1)-(6)

M11 Source—1975 (No.2) s.34(9)-(11)

250 Returns. U.K.

(1) M12 A company shall for each of its accounting periods make, in accordance with this section, returns to the inspector of all share capital to which section 249 applies (“relevant share capital”) and which was issued by it in that period.

(2) M13 A return shall be made for—

(a) each complete quarter falling within the accounting period, that is to say, each of the periods of three months ending with 31st March, 30th June, 30th September or 31st December which falls within that period;

(b) each part of the accounting period which is not a complete quarter and ends on the first (or only), or begins immediately after the last (or only), of those dates which falls within the accounting period;

(c) if none of those dates falls within the accounting period, the whole accounting period.

(3) A return for any period for which a return is required to be made under this section (a “return period”) shall be made within 30 days from the end of that period.

(4) M14 No return need be made under this section by a company for any period in which it has issued no relevant share capital.

(5) The return made by a company for any return period shall state—

(a) the date on which any relevant share capital issued by it in the period was issued and, if different, the date on which the company was first required to issue it;

(b) particulars of the terms on which any such share capital so issued by it was issued; and

(c) what is, in relation to any such share capital so issued, the appropriate amount in cash.

(6) If it appears to the inspector that a company ought to have, but has not, made a return for any return period, he may (notwithstanding subsection (4) above) by notice require the company to make a return for that period within such time (not being less than 30 days) as may be specified in the notice; and a return required to be made under this subsection shall, if such be the case, state that no relevant share capital was issued in the period in question.

(7) As regards any share capital included in a return made under this section by a company, the inspector may by notice require the company to furnish him within such time (not being less than 30 days) as may be specified in the notice with such further information relating thereto as he may reasonably require for the purposes of sections 230 and 249, this section and section 251and paragraph 12of Schedule 19 F26 .

Textual Amendments

F26 Words in s. 250(7) repealed by Finance Act 1989 (c. 26), s. 187, Sch. 17 Part V (in relation to accounting periods beginning after 31 March 1989).

Marginal Citations

M12 Source—1975 (No.2) Sch.8 7(1)

M13 Source—1975 (No.2) Sch.8 7(2)

M14 Source—1975 (No.2) Sch.8 7(3)-(6)

251 Interpretation of sections 249 and 250. U.K.

M15 (1) For the purposes of sections 249 and 250 —

(a) “bonus share capital”, in relation to a company, means share capital issued by the company otherwise than wholly for new consideration or such part of any share capital so issued as is not properly referable to new consideration;

(b) “due date of issue”, in relation to any share capital issued by a company, means the earliest date on which the company was required to issue that share capital;

(c) an option to receive either a dividend in cash or additional share capital is conferred on a person not only where he is required to choose one or the other, but also where he is offered the one subject to a right, however expressed, to choose the other instead, and a person’s abandonment of, or failure to exercise, such a right is to be treated as an exercise of the option;

and in section 254 the definition of “security” (in subsection (1)) and subsections (5) and (11) shall not apply.

(2) M16 In sections 249 and 250 “the appropriate amount in cash”, in relation to any share capital to which section 249 applies—

(a) in a case where that share capital was issued —

(i) in consequence of the exercise of an option such as is mentioned in section 249(1)(a); or

(ii) in a quantity which is determined by or determines the amount of a dividend in cash payable in respect of share capital in the company of a different class,

and where the relevant cash dividend is not substantially greater nor substantially less than the market value of that share capital on the relevant date, means the amount of the relevant cash dividend or, in a case in which section 249(3) applies, a due proportion of that amount;

(b) in a case where paragraph (a) above does not apply, means the market value of that share capital on the relevant date or, in a case in which section 249(3) applies, a due proportion of that market value.

(3) M17 In subsection (2) above—

• “the relevant cash dividend”, in a case falling within subsection (2)(a)(i) above, means the cash dividend mentioned in section 249(1)(a) or, in a case falling within subsection (2)(a)(ii) above, means the cash dividend there mentioned (subject to subsection (4) below);

• “the relevant date”, in the case of share capital listed in the Stock Exchange Daily Official List, means the date of first dealing and, in the case of share capital not so listed, means the due date of issue; and

• “market value”, in relation to any share capital in a company, means, subject to the provisions applied by subsections (5) and (6) below, the price which that share capital might reasonably be expected to fetch on a sale in the open market.

(4) M18 Where, in a case falling within subsection (2)(a)(ii) above, the company on the occasion on which it issues the share capital in question also issues a dividend in cash (“the accompanying cash dividend”) in respect of the shares in the company in respect of which that share capital is issued, “the relevant cash dividend” means the cash dividend mentioned in subsection (2)(a)(ii) above reduced by the amount of the accompanying cash dividend.

(5) M19 Section [F27 272(3) of the 1992 Act] (market value of shares or securities [F28 quoted] in the Stock Exchange Daily Official List) shall apply for the purposes of subsection (3) above as it applies for the purposes of that Act.

(6) In the case of shares or securities which are not quoted on a recognised stock exchange at the time when their market value for the purposes of subsection (2) above falls to be determined, subsection (3) of section [F27 273 of the 1992 Act] shall apply with respect to the determination of their market value for those purposes as it applies with respect to a determination falling within subsection (1) of that section.

Textual Amendments

F27 Words in s. 251(5)(6) substituted (6.3.1992 with effect as mentioned in s. 289(1)(2) of the amending Act) by Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (c. 12), ss. 289, 290, Sch. 10 para. 14(16) (with ss. 60, 101(1), 171, 201(3)).

F28 Word in s. 251(5) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 38 para. 8(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 1996 (c. 8), Sch. 38 para. 8(1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 251(1)(c) applied (19.3.1997) by Finance Act 1997 (c. 16), Sch. 7 para. 4(2)

Marginal Citations

M15 Source—1975 (No.2) s.34(8)(a)-(d)

M16 Source—1975 (No.2) Sch.8 1(1)-(3)

M17 Source—1975 (No.2) Sch.8 1(4), 2(1)

M18 Source—1970 (No.2) Sch.8 1(5)

M19 Source—1975 (No.2) Sch.8 2(2), (3); 1979(C) Sch.7

Yn ddilys o 06/04/2003

[F29 Approved share incentive plans U.K.

Textual Amendments

F29 Ss. 251A-251D and preceding cross-heading inserted (6.4.2003 with effect in accordance with s. 723(1) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), Sch. 6 para. 34 (with Sch. 7)

251A Application of sections 251B and 251C U.K.

(1) Sections 251B and 251C apply for income tax purposes in connection with shares awarded under an approved share incentive plan.

(2) But those sections do not apply to an individual if, at the time of the award of shares in question—

(a) the earnings from the eligible employment are not (or would not be if there were any) general earnings to which any of the charging provisions of Chapter 4 or 5 of Part 2 of ITEPA 2003 apply, or

(b) in the case of an award made before 6th April 2003, he was not chargeable to tax under Schedule E in respect of the employment by reference to which he met the requirement of paragraph 14 of Schedule 8 to the Finance Act 2000 (employee share ownership plans: the employment requirement) in relation to the plan.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)—

(a) “the eligible employment” means the employment which results in the individual meeting the employment requirement in relation to the plan, and

(b) the reference to any of the charging provisions of Chapter 4 or 5 of Part 2 of ITEPA 2003 has the same meaning as it has in the employment income Parts of that Act (see sections 14(3) and 20(3) of that Act).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 Ss. 251A-251D applied (6.4.2003 with effect in accordance with s. 723(1) of the affecting Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 87 (with Sch. 7)

251B Treatment of cash dividend retained and then later paid out U.K.

(1) Where a cash dividend is paid over to a participant under paragraph 68(4) of Schedule 2 to ITEPA 2003 (cash dividend paid over if not reinvested), the participant is chargeable to tax on the appropriate amount under Schedule F for the year of assessment in which the dividend is paid over.

(2) In subsection (1), the “appropriate amount” means the amount of the dividend paid over (except to the extent that it represents a foreign cash dividend).

(3) For the purposes of determining the tax credit (if any) to which the participant is entitled under section 231, the reference in subsection (1) of that section to the tax credit fraction in force when the distribution is made shall be read as a reference to the fraction in force when the dividend is paid over to the participant.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 Ss. 251A-251D applied (6.4.2003 with effect in accordance with s. 723(1) of the affecting Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 87 (with Sch. 7)

251C Charge on dividend shares ceasing to be subject to plan U.K.

(1) If dividend shares cease to be subject to the plan before the end of the period of three years beginning with the date on which the shares were acquired on the participant’s behalf, the participant is chargeable to tax on the appropriate amount under Schedule F for the year of assessment in which the shares cease to be subject to the plan.

(2) In subsection (1) “the appropriate amount” means the amount of the cash dividend applied to acquire the shares on the participant’s behalf (except to the extent that it represents a foreign cash dividend).

(3) For the purposes of determining the tax credit (if any) to which the participant is entitled under section 231, the reference in subsection (1) of that section to the tax credit fraction in force when the distribution is made shall be read as a reference to the fraction in force when the shares cease to be subject to the plan.

(4) Where the participant is charged to tax under this section the tax due shall be reduced by the amount or aggregate amount of any tax paid on any capital receipts under section 501 of ITEPA 2003 in respect of those shares.

(5) In subsection (4) “the tax due” means the amount of tax due after deduction of the tax credit determined under subsection (3).

(6) This section has effect subject to section 498 of ITEPA 2003 (no charge on shares ceasing to be subject to plan in certain circumstances).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 Ss. 251A-251D applied (6.4.2003 with effect in accordance with s. 723(1) of the affecting Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 87 (with Sch. 7)

251D Interpretation of sections 251A to 251C U.K.

(1) Sections 251A to 251C and this section form part of the SIP code (see section 488 of ITEPA 2003 (approved share incentive plans)).

(2) Accordingly, expressions used in those sections and contained in the index at the end of Schedule 2 to that Act (approved share incentive plans) have the meaning indicated by that index.

(3) In sections 251B and 251C “foreign cash dividend” means a cash dividend paid in respect of plan shares in a company not resident in the United Kingdom.]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6 Ss. 251A-251D applied (6.4.2003 with effect in accordance with s. 723(1) of the affecting Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 87 (with Sch. 7)

Supplemental U.K.

M20 252.— Rectification of excessive set-off etc. of ACT or tax credit. U.K.

(1) If an inspector discovers that—

(a) F30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) any set-off or payment of tax credit,

ought not to have been made, or is or has become excessive, the inspector may make any such assessments as may in his judgment be required for recovering any tax that ought to have been paid or any payment of tax credit that ought not to have been made and generally for securing that the resulting liabilities to tax (including interest on unpaid tax) of the persons concerned are what they would have been if only such set-offs or payments had been made as ought to have been made.

(2) In any case where—

(a) interest has been paid under section 826 on a payment of tax credit; and

(b) interest ought not to have been paid on that payment, either at all or to any extent,

an assessment under this section may be made for recovering any interest that ought not to have been paid.

(3) Where—

(a) an assessment is made under this section to recover tax credit paid to a company in respect of franked investment income received by the company in an accounting period; and

(b) more than one payment of tax credit has been made in respect of that period,

any sum recovered shall as far as possible be treated as relating to a payment of tax credit made later rather than to a payment made earlier.

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) above shall have effect in relation to payments of tax credit claimed in respect of accounting periods ending after such day as may be appointed for the purpose of those subsections by order made by the Treasury, not being earlier than 31st March 1992.

(5) The Management Act shall apply to any assessment under this section for recovering a payment of tax credit or interest on such a payment as if it were an assessment to income tax for the year of assessment, or in the case of a company, corporation tax for the accounting period, in respect of which the payment was claimed, and as if that payment represented a loss of tax to the Crown; and any sum charged by any such assessment shall, subject to any appeal against the assessment, be due within 14 days after the issue of the notice of assessment.

Subordinate Legislation Made

P1 S. 252(4) power exercised: 30.9.1993 appointed for the purposes of s. 252(2)(3) by S.I. 1992/3066, art. 2(2)(b).

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 252(1)(a) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 21(3) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 21(2), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 252 modified (27.7.1993) by 1993 c. 34, s. 80(8)

C8 S. 252 modified (16.8.1995) by The Venture Capital Trust Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/1979), reg. 15(4)(5)

C9 S. 252 applied (16.8.1995) by The Venture Capital Trust Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/1979), reg. 20

C10 S. 252 modified (31.7.1997) by Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 (c. 58), s. 35(10)

C11 See 1989 s.157(1)for reckonable date for interest charge under 1970(M) s.86where assessment made to recover corporation tax payable as the result of a claim under s.240made on or after 14March 1989. (Ceases to have effect for accounting periods ending after the day appointed for the purposes of s.86).

Marginal Citations

M20 Source—1972 s.102; (No.2) s.88(5)-(7)

253 Power to modify or replace section 234(5) to (9) and Schedule 13. U.K.

M21 (1) The Board may by regulations—

(a) modify, supplement or replace any of the provisions of subsections (5) to (9) of section 234 for the purpose of requiring companies resident in the United Kingdom to make returns and give information to the inspector in respect of distributions made by them, whether before or after the passing of this Act, which are not qualifying distributions;

(b) F31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

and references in this Act and in any other enactment to section 234(5) to (9) F32 . . . shall be construed as including references to any such regulations.

(2) F33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Regulations under this section may—

(a) make different provision for different descriptions of companies and for different circumstances and may authorise the Board, where in their opinion there are special circumstances justifying it, to make special arrangements as respects F34 . . . the repayment of income tax borne by a company or the payment to a company of amounts in respect of any tax credit to which it is entitled;

(b) include such transitional and other supplemental provisions as appear to the Board to be expedient or necessary.

(4) The Board shall not make any regulations under this section unless a draft of them has been laid before and approved by a resolution of the House of Commons.

Textual Amendments

F31 S. 253(1)(b) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 22(5) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 22(2)(a), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

F32 Words in s. 253(1) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 22(5) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 22(2)(b), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

F33 S. 253(2) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 22(5) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 22(3), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

F34 Words in s. 253(3)(a) repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 22(5) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 22(4), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note

Marginal Citations

M21 Source—1972 s.108

254 Interpretation of Part VI. U.K.

(1) M22 In this Part, except where the context otherwise requires—

• “new consideration” means, subject to subsections (5) and (6) below, consideration not provided directly or indirectly out of the assets of the company, and in particular does not include amounts retained by the company by way of capitalising a distribution;

• “security” includes securities not creating or evidencing a charge on assets, and interest paid by a company on money advanced without the issue of a security for the advance, or other consideration given by a company for the use of money so advanced, shall be treated as if paid or given in respect of a security issued for the advance by the company;

• “share” includes stock, and any other interest of a member in a company;

and in this section “a 90 per cent. group” means a company and all of its 90 per cent. subsidiaries.

(2) M23 In this Part, the expressions “in respect of shares in the company” and “in respect of securities of the company”, in relation to a company which is a member of a 90 per cent. group, mean respectively in respect of shares in that company or any other company in the group and in respect of securities of that company or any other company in the group.

(3) Without prejudice to section 209(2)(b) as extended by subsection (2) above, in relation to a company which is a member of a 90 per cent. group, “distribution” includes anything distributed out of assets of the company (whether in cash or otherwise) in respect of shares in or securities of another company in the group.

(4) Nothing in subsections (2) and (3) above shall require a company to be treated as making a distribution to any other company which is in the same group and is resident in the United Kingdom.

(5) M24 Where share capital has been issued at a premium representing new consideration, any part of that premium afterwards applied in paying up share capital shall be treated as new consideration also for that share capital, except in so far as the premium has been taken into account under section 211(5) so as to enable a distribution to be treated as a repayment of share capital.

(6) M25 Subject to subsection (7) below, no consideration derived from the value of any share capital or security of a company, or from voting or other rights in a company, shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as new consideration received by the company unless the consideration consists of—

(a) money or value received from the company as a qualifying distribution;

(b) money received from the company as a payment which for those purposes constitutes a repayment of that share capital or of the principal secured by the security; or

(c) the giving up of the right to the share capital or security on its cancellation, extinguishment or acquisition by the company.

(7) No amount shall be regarded as new consideration by virtue of subsection (6)(b) or (c) above in so far as it exceeds any new consideration received by the company for the issue of the share capital or security in question or, in the case of share capital which constituted a qualifying distribution on issue, the nominal value of that share capital.

(8) M26 Where two or more companies enter into arrangements to make distributions to each other’s members, all parties concerned (however many) may for the purposes of this Part be treated as if anything done by any one of those companies had been done by any of the others.

(9) M27 A distribution shall be treated under this Part as made, or consideration as provided, out of assets of a company if the cost falls on the company.

(10) M28 References in this Part to issuing share capital as paid up apply also to the paying up of any issued share capital.

(11) M29 Where securities are issued at a price less than the amount repayable on them, and are not [F35 listed] on a recognised stock exchange, the principal secured shall not be taken for the purposes of this Part to exceed the issue price, unless the securities are issued on terms reasonably comparable with the terms of issue of securities so [F35 listed].

(12) M30 For the purposes of this Part a thing is to be regarded as done in respect of a share if it is done to a person as being the holder of the share, or as having at a particular time been the holder, or is done in pursuance of a right granted or offer made in respect of a share; and anything done in respect of shares by reference to share holdings at a particular time is to be regarded as done to the then holders of the shares or the personal representatives of any share holder then dead.

This subsection shall apply in relation to securities as it applies in relation to shares.

Textual Amendments

F35 Words in s. 254(11) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 38 para. 6(6) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 1996 (c. 8), Sch. 38 para. 6(1)(2)(d)

Marginal Citations

M22 Source—1970 s.237(1), (3), (5); 1972 Sch.22 10(4)

M23 Source—1972 Sch.22 10(1)-(3)

M24 Source—1970 s.237(1)

M25 Source—1972 Sch.22 8

M26 Source—1972 Sch.22 9

M27 Source—1970 s.237 (2)

M28 Source—1970 s.237(4)

M29 Source—1970 s.237(6)

M30 Source—1970 s.237(7)

255 “Gross rate” and “gross amount” of distributions to include ACT. U.K.

F36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F36 S. 255 repealed (with effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 23(2) of the repealing Act) by Finance Act 1998 (c. 36), Sch. 3 para. 23(1), Sch. 27 Pt. 3(2), Note