Finance Act 2004

86 Shares in employee-controlled companies and unconnected companies U.K.

(1) Each of the provisions of Part 7 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1) (employment income: securities) specified in subsection (2) (exception from charges for certain company shares) is amended in accordance with subsections (3) to (5).

(2) The provisions are—

(a) section 429 (restricted securities),

(b) section 443 (convertible securities),

(c) section 446R (securities acquired for less than market value), and

(d) section 449 (post-acquisition benefits from securities).

(3) In subsection (1) of each of those sections, after paragraph (b) (but before the word “and” where that word features at the end) insert—

“(ba) subsection (1A) is satisfied,”.

(4) After subsection (1) of each of those sections insert—

“(1A) This subsection is satisfied if the avoidance of tax or national insurance contributions was not the main purpose, or one of the main purposes, of the arrangements under which the right or opportunity to acquire the employment-related securities was made available.”.

(5) In subsection (4) of sections 429, 443 and 446R, and in subsection (3) of section 449, for the words after “are not” substitute “ employment-related securities. ”; and accordingly omit sections 429(5), 443(5), 446R(5) and 449(4).

(6) In Chapter 3A of that Part of that Act (securities with artificially depressed market value), after section 446I insert—

“446IA Disapplication of exceptions from charges

(1) Section 429 (exception from charge under section 426 for certain company shares) does not prevent section 426 (restricted securities: chargeable events) applying in relation to an event if section 446E or 446I(1)(a) would have effect in relation to the event.

(2) Section 443 (exception from charge under section 438 for certain company shares) does not prevent section 438 (convertible securities: chargeable events) applying in relation to an event if section 446G, 446H or 446I(1)(b) would have effect in relation to the event.

(3) Section 446R (exception from charge under Chapter 3C for certain company shares) does not prevent that Chapter (securities acquired for less than market value) applying in relation to employment-related securities if section 446B would have effect in relation to them.

(4) Section 449 (exception from charge under Chapter 4 for certain company shares) does not prevent that Chapter (benefits from securities) applying in relation to a benefit if section 446I(1)(e) would have effect in relation to the benefit.”.

(7) In Chapter 3B of that Part of that Act (securities with artificially enhanced market value), after section 446N insert—

“446NA Disapplication of exceptions from charges

(1) None of the provisions specified in subsection (2) (exceptions from charges for certain company shares) apply in relation to employment-related securities if the market value of the employment-related securities at the time of the acquisition has been increased by at least 10% by non-commercial increases within the period of 7 years ending with the acquisition.

(2) The provisions are—

(a) section 429 (restricted securities),

(b) section 443 (convertible securities),

(c) section 446R (securities acquired for less than market value), and

(d) section 449 (post-acquisition benefits from securities).

(3) If section 446L (market value on valuation date increased by more than 10% by non-commercial increases during relevant period) applies in relation to employment-related securities, section 429 does not subsequently apply in relation to the employment-related securities.”.

(8) This section applies on and after 7th May 2004.