Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003

[F1 554K Exclusions: earmarking for employee share schemes (2) U.K.

(1) This section applies if—

(a) there is an arrangement (“B's employee share scheme”) under which, in respect of A's employment with B, an award may be made to A of—

(i) relevant shares, or

(ii) a sum of money the amount of which is to be determined by reference to the market value of any relevant shares at the time the sum is to be paid,

(b) the main purpose of the award would not be the provision of relevant benefits,

(c) the relevant shares would be—

(i) shares (including stock) in, or

(ii) instruments within paragraph (b) of the definition of “relevant shares” in section 554I(4) issued by,

a trading company or a company which controls a trading company,

(d) the award would be on terms the main purpose of which is to ensure—

(i) that the relevant shares are received, or

(ii) that the sum of money is paid,

only if a specified exit event, or an exit event within a specified description, occurs, and

(e) as at the time the award is made, there would be a reasonable chance that the specified exit event, or an exit event within the specified description, will occur.

(2) Chapter 2 does not apply by reason of a relevant step within section 554B (by reason of which it would otherwise apply) taken by a person (“P”) if—

(a) the subject of the relevant step is relevant shares (“earmarked shares”) which are earmarked, or otherwise start being held, solely with a view to the meeting of—

(i) an award of relevant shares or a sum of money made to A under B's employee share scheme as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) in relation to which the requirements of subsection (1)(b) to (e) are met, or

(ii) an award of relevant shares or a sum of money which is expected to be made to A under B's employee share scheme as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) and in relation to which the requirements of subsection (1)(b) to (e) would be met,

(b) the number of relevant shares of any type which are earmarked shares does not exceed the maximum number of relevant shares of that type which might reasonably be expected to be needed for meeting the award or expected award, and

(c) there is no connection (direct or indirect) between the relevant step and a tax avoidance arrangement.

(3) If the relevant step mentioned in subsection (2) is taken in relation to an expected award as mentioned in subsection (2)(a)(ii), subsection (4) applies if—

(a) the award is not made before the end of the date (“the final award date”) falling immediately after the period of three months starting with the date on which P takes the relevant step, and

(b) as at the end of the final award date, any of the earmarked shares continue to be held by or on behalf of P solely on the basis mentioned in subsection (2)(a).

(4) This Part has effect as if a relevant step within section 554B were taken at the end of the final award date—

(a) the subject of which is—

(i) the shares which continue to be held as mentioned in subsection (3)(b), and

(ii) any relevant income in relation to those shares (see subsection (12)), and

(b) by reason of which Chapter 2 is to apply (subject only to section 554A(4)).

(5) Subsection (6) applies if, at any time (“the relevant time”)—

(a) any of the earmarked shares cease to be held by or on behalf of P solely on the basis mentioned in subsection (2)(a), but

(b) the shares continue to be held by or on behalf of P on the basis mentioned in section 554B(1)(a) or (b).

(6) This Part has effect as if a relevant step within section 554B were taken at the relevant time—

(a) the subject of which is—

(i) the shares mentioned in subsection (5), and

(ii) any relevant income in relation to those shares (see subsection (12)), and

(b) by reason of which Chapter 2 is to apply (subject only to section 554A(4)).

(7) Subsection (8) applies if—

(a) the relevant step mentioned in subsection (2) is taken in relation to an award which has been made as mentioned in subsection (2)(a)(i), or

(b) the relevant step mentioned in subsection (2) is taken in relation to an expected award as mentioned in subsection (2)(a)(ii) and the award is made before the end of the final award date,

and the specified exit event, or an exit event within the specified description, occurs.

(8) This Part has effect as if a relevant step within section 554B were taken at the end of the exit period—

(a) the subject of which is—

(i) any of the earmarked shares to which neither subsection (9) nor subsection (10) applies, and

(ii) any relevant income in relation to any of the earmarked shares mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) (see subsection (12)), and

(b) by reason of which Chapter 2 is to apply (subject only to section 554A(4)).

(9) This subsection applies to any earmarked shares if—

(a) A receives the shares before the end of the exit period, and

(b) the receipt of the shares by A gives rise to employment income of A which is chargeable to income tax or which is exempt income.

(10) This subsection applies to any earmarked shares if—

(a) the sum of money mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(ii) (or a part of it) is paid to A before the end of the exit period,

(b) the payment of the sum to A gives rise to employment income of A which is chargeable to income tax or which is exempt income, and

(c) the payment represents the proceeds of the disposal of the shares, or the payment is made from another source and, correspondingly, the shares are no longer held by any person in relation to the award.

(11) In subsections (8), (9)(a) and (10)(a) “the exit period” means the period of six months starting with the date on which the exit event occurs.

(12) In subsections (4)(a)(ii), (6)(a)(ii) and (8)(a)(ii) “relevant income”, in relation to any earmarked shares, means any income—

(a) which, before the relevant step is treated as being taken by subsection (4), (6) or (8) (as the case may be)—

(i) arises (directly or indirectly) from the shares, and

(ii) is the subject of a relevant step within section 554B taken by P by reason of which Chapter 2 would apply apart from section 554Q, and

(b) which, at the time the relevant step is treated as being taken, continues to be held by or on behalf of P on the basis mentioned in section 554B(1)(a) or (b).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 7A inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 2 paras. 52-59 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2011 (c. 11), Sch. 2 para. 1