Income Tax Act 2007

The requirements U.K.

[F1 286A The UK permanent establishment requirement U.K.

The requirement of this section, at any time on or after the issue of the relevant holding, is that the relevant company has a permanent establishment in the United Kingdom at all times from the issue of the holding to the time in question.

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 286A, 286B inserted (6.4.2011) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 2 paras. 7(3), 8 of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 2 para. 2(8); S.I. 2011/662, art. 2

286B The financial health requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section is that the relevant company is not, at the time of the issue of the relevant holding, in difficulty.

(2) The relevant company is “in difficulty” if it is reasonable to assume that it would be regarded as a firm in difficulty for the purposes of the Community Guidelines on State Aid for Rescuing and Restructuring Firms in Difficulty (2004/C 244/02).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 286A, 286B inserted (6.4.2011) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 2 paras. 7(3), 8 of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 2 para. 2(8); S.I. 2011/662, art. 2

287 The maximum qualifying investment requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section is that [F2 , if the condition in subsection (1A) is met,] the relevant holding did not, when it was issued, represent an investment in excess of the maximum qualifying investment for the relevant period.

[F3 (1A) The condition is that—

(a) at the time of the issue of the relevant holding the relevant company or any of its qualifying subsidiaries was a member of a partnership or a party to a joint venture,

(b) the trade which meets the requirement of section 291 was at that time being carried on, or to be carried on, by those partners in partnership or by the parties to the joint venture, and

(c) the other partners or parties to the joint venture include at least one other company.]

(2) [F4 The] maximum qualifying investment for any period is exceeded so far as the total amount of money which—

(a) is raised in that period, and

(b) is so raised by the issue to the investing company during that period of shares in or securities of the relevant company,

exceeds [F5 the relevant fraction of] £1 million.

[F6 (2A) The relevant fraction is—

where “N” is the number of companies (including the relevant company) which, at the time when the relevant holding was issued were members of the partnership or, as the case may be, parties to the joint venture.]

(3) If the relevant holding represented, when issued, an investment in excess of the maximum qualifying investment for the relevant period—

(a) the shares or securities which represented the excess are not to be regarded as part of the relevant holding, and

(b) the amount of money raised by those shares or securities is to be ignored for the purposes of any subsequent application of subsection (2).

(4) For the purposes of this section, if there is any question as to whether any shares in or securities of the relevant company which are for the time being held by the investing company represent an investment in excess of the maximum qualifying investment for any period, that question is determined on the following assumption in relation to disposals by the investing company.

(5) The assumption is that, as between shares or securities of the same description, those which represent the whole or any part of the excess are disposed of before those which do not.

F7 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8 (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) For the purposes of this section “the relevant period” is the period beginning with whichever is the earlier of—

(a) the time 6 months before the issue of the relevant holding, and

(b) the beginning of the tax year in which the issue of that holding took place,

and (in either case) ending with the issue of that holding.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in s. 287(1) inserted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 19 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 5(2)

F3 S. 287(1A) inserted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 19 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 5(3)

F4 Word in s. 287(2) substituted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 19 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 5(4)(a)

F5 Words in s. 287(2) inserted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 19 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 5(4)(b)

F6 S. 287(2A) inserted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 19 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 5(5)

F7 S. 287(6) omitted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 19 of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 5(6)

F8 S. 287(7) omitted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 19 of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 5(6)

288 The no guaranteed loan requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section is that there are no securities relating to a guaranteed loan in the relevant holding.

(2) For the purposes of this section, a security relates to a guaranteed loan if (and only if) there are arrangements for the investing company to be or to become entitled to receive anything (whether directly or indirectly) from a third party in the event of the failure by any person to comply with—

(a) the terms of the loan to which the security relates, or

(b) the terms of the security.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) it does not matter whether the arrangements apply in all cases of a failure to comply or only in some such cases.

(4) For the purposes of this section “third party” means any person except—

(a) the relevant company, and

(b) if the relevant company is a parent company that meets the trading requirement in section 290(1)(b), the subsidiaries of that company.

289 The proportion of eligible shares requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section is that eligible shares represent at least 10% by value of the totality of the shares in or securities of the relevant company (including the relevant holding) which are held by the investing company.

(2) For the purposes of this section the value at any time of any shares in or securities of a company is taken (subject to subsection (4)) to be their value immediately after—

(a) any relevant event occurring at that time, or

(b) if no relevant event occurs at that time, the last relevant event to occur before that time.

(3) In subsection (2) “the relevant event”, in relation to any shares in or securities of the relevant company, means—

(a) the acquisition by the investing company of those shares or securities,

(b) the acquisition by the investing company of any other shares in or securities of the relevant company which—

(i) are of the same description as those shares or securities, and

(ii) are acquired by the investing company otherwise than by being allotted to the investing company without its being liable to give any consideration, or

(c) the making of any such payment in discharge, in whole or in part, of any obligation attached to any shares in or securities of the relevant company held by the investing company as (by discharging that obligation) increases the value of any such shares or securities.

(4) If at any time the value of any shares or securities held by the investing company is less than the consideration given by the investing company for those shares or securities, it is to be assumed for the purposes of this section that the value of the shares or securities at that time is equal to the amount of that consideration.

(5) In this section “eligible shares” has the same meaning as in Chapter 3 (see section [F9 285(3A) and (3B)]).

Textual Amendments

F9 Words in s. 289(5) substituted (6.4.2011) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 2 paras. 7(4), 8 of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 2 para. 2(9); S.I. 2011/662, art. 2

290 The trading requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section is that—

(a) the relevant company, ignoring any incidental purposes, exists wholly for the purpose of carrying on one or more qualifying trades, or

(b) the relevant company is a parent company and the business of the group does not consist wholly or as to a substantial part in the carrying on of non-qualifying activities.

(2) If the relevant company intends that one or more other companies should become its qualifying subsidiaries with a view to their carrying on one or more qualifying trades—

(a) the relevant company is treated as a parent company for the purposes of subsection (1)(b), and

(b) the reference in subsection (1)(b) to the group includes the relevant company and any existing or future company that will be its qualifying subsidiary after the intention in question is carried into effect.

This subsection does not apply at any time after the abandonment of that intention.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) the business of the group means what would be the business of the group if the activities of the group companies taken together were regarded as one business.

(4) For the purpose of determining the business of a group, activities are ignored so far as they are carried on by a mainly trading subsidiary otherwise than for its main purpose.

(5) For the purpose of determining the business of a group, activities of a group company are ignored so far as they consist in—

(a) the holding of shares in or securities of a qualifying subsidiary of the parent company,

(b) the making of loans to another group company, or

(c) the holding and managing of property used by a group company for the purpose of one or more qualifying trades carried on by a group company, or

(d) the holding and managing of property used by a group company for the purpose of research and development from which it is intended—

(i) that a qualifying trade to be carried on by a group company will be derived, or

(ii) that a qualifying trade carried on or to be carried on by a group company will benefit.

(6) Any reference in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) of subsection (5)(d) to a group company includes a reference to any existing or future company which will be a group company at any future time.

(7) In this section—

• “incidental purposes” means purposes having no significant effect (other than in relation to incidental matters) on the extent of the activities of the company in question,

• “mainly trading subsidiary” means a qualifying subsidiary which, apart from incidental purposes, exists wholly for the purpose of carrying on one or more qualifying trades, and any reference to the main purpose of such a subsidiary is to be read accordingly,

• “non-qualifying activities” means—

  (a)

  excluded activities, and

  (b)

  activities carried on otherwise than in the course of a trade.

(8) This section is supplemented by section 300 (meaning of “qualifying trade”) and sections 303 to 310 (excluded activities).

291 The carrying on of a qualifying activity requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section, at any time on or after the issue of the relevant holding, is that a qualifying company (whether or not the same such company at every such time) must have been carrying on a qualifying activity at all times from the issue of the holding to the time in question.

(2) [F10 Carrying on a qualifying trade] is a qualifying activity.

(3) Preparing to carry on a qualifying trade is a qualifying activity if, at the time when the relevant holding was issued, the trade was intended to be carried on F11 ... by a qualifying company.

This is subject to subsections (4) and (5).

(4) The requirement of this section is not capable of being met by virtue of subsection (3) at any time after the end of the period of two years beginning with the issue of the relevant holding unless—

(a) the intended trade was begun to be carried on by a qualifying company before the end of that period, and

(b) at all times since the end of that period, a qualifying company (whether or not the same such company at every such time) has been carrying on a qualifying trade F12 ....

(5) The requirement of this section is also not capable of being met by virtue of subsection (3) at any time after the abandonment, within the period mentioned in subsection (4), of the intention in question.

(6) In determining for the purposes of subsection (4)(a) when the intended trade was begun to be carried on by a qualifying company which is a qualifying 90% subsidiary of the relevant company, any carrying on by it of the trade before it became such a subsidiary of the relevant company is ignored.

(7) In this section “qualifying company” means the relevant company or any qualifying 90% subsidiary of that company.

(8) The reference in subsection (7) to a qualifying company which is a qualifying 90% subsidiary of the relevant company includes, in its application to subsection (3), a reference to any existing or future qualifying company which will be a qualifying 90% subsidiary of the relevant company at any future time.

Textual Amendments

F10 Words in s. 291(2) substituted (6.4.2011) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 2 paras. 7(3), 8 of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 2 para. 2(10)(a); S.I. 2011/662, art. 2

F11 Words in s. 291(3) omitted (6.4.2011) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 2 paras. 7(3), 8 of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 2 para. 2(10)(b); S.I. 2011/662, art. 2

F12 Words in s. 291(4)(b) omitted (6.4.2011) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 2 paras. 7(3), 8 of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 2 para. 2(10)(c); S.I. 2011/662, art. 2

292 Ceasing to meet requirements because of administration or receivership U.K.

(1) A company is not regarded as ceasing to meet the requirement of section 290 or 291 merely because of anything done in consequence of its being in administration or receivership.

(2) Subsection (1) applies only if—

(a) the entry into administration or receivership, and

(b) everything done as a consequence of the company being in administration or receivership,

is for genuine commercial reasons, and is not part of a scheme or arrangement the main purpose or one of the main purposes of which is the avoidance of tax.

[F13 292A The maximum amount raised annually through risk [F14 finance investments] requirement U.K.

(1) The total amount of relevant investments made in the relevant company in the year ending with the date the relevant holding is issued must not exceed [F15 £5 million].

[F16 (2) In subsection (1), the reference to relevant investments made in the relevant company includes—

(a) relevant investments made in any company that has at any time in the year mentioned there been a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company (including investments made in such a company before it became such a subsidiary but, if it was not a subsidiary at the end of that year, not those made after it last ceased to be such a subsidiary),

(b) any other relevant investment made in a company to the extent that the money raised by the investment has been employed for the purposes of a trade carried on by another company that has at any time in that year been a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company (but, if it is not such a subsidiary at the end of that year, ignoring any money so employed after it last ceased to be such a subsidiary), and

(c) any other relevant investment made in a company if—

(i) the money raised by the investment has been employed for the purposes of a trade carried on by that company or another person, and

(ii) in that year, after that investment was made, the trade (or a part of it) became a relevant transferred trade (see subsection (2B)).

(2A) If only a proportion of the money raised by a relevant investment is employed for the purposes of a trade which becomes a relevant transferred trade, the reference in subsection (2)(c) to the relevant investment is to be read as a reference to the corresponding proportion of that investment.

(2B) Where—

(a) in the year mentioned in subsection (1) a trade is transferred—

(i) to the relevant company,

(ii) to a company that is, or has at any time during that year been, a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company, or

(iii) to a partnership of which a company within sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) is a member,

(including where it is transferred to a company within sub-paragraph (ii), or a partnership of which such a company is a member, at a time in the year before the company became such a subsidiary but not where it is transferred to such a company or partnership in that year after the company last ceased to be such a subsidiary), and

(b) that trade or a part of it was previously (at any time) carried on by another person,

the trade or part mentioned in paragraph (b) becomes a “ relevant transferred trade ” at the time it is transferred as mentioned in paragraph (a).]

(3) A “relevant investment” is made in a company if—

(a) an investment (of any kind) in the company is made by a VCT, or

(b) the company issues shares (money having been subscribed for them), and (at any time) the company provides—

(i) a compliance statement under section 205 (enterprise investment scheme), or

[F17 (ia) a compliance statement under section 257ED (seed enterprise investment scheme).]

F18 (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

in respect of the shares, or

[F19 (ba) an investment is made in the company and (at any time) the company provides a compliance statement under section 257PB (tax relief for social investments) in respect of the investment, or]

(c) any other investment is made in the company which is aid received by it pursuant to a measure approved by the European Commission as compatible with Article 107 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in accordance with the principles laid down in the [F20 European Commission's Guidelines on State aid to promote risk finance investment] (as those guidelines may be amended or replaced from time to time).

(4) For the purposes of subsections (1) [F21 to (2B)], an investment within subsection (3)(b) is regarded as made when the shares are issued.

[F22 (4A) Section 257KB applies in determining for those purposes when an investment within subsection (3)(ba) is made as it applies for the purposes of Part 5B (tax relief on social investments).]

(5) Subsection (6) applies if, by virtue of the provision of a compliance statement under section 205 [F23 , 257ED or 257PB] above F24 ..., the requirement of this section is not met.

(6) The requirement is to be treated as having been met throughout the period—

(a) beginning with the time the relevant holding was issued, and

(b) ending with the time the compliance statement was provided.

[F25 (7) Section 280B(8) and (9) (meaning of “trade” etc) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of section 280B.]]

Textual Amendments

F13 S. 292A inserted (19.7.2007) by Finance Act 2007 (c. 11), Sch. 16 para. 6(3) (with Sch. 16 paras. 6(5)(6), 8)

F14 Words in s. 292A heading substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 7(8)

F15 Words in s. 292A(1) substituted (19.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 20(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 paras. 6(2), 20(2); S.I. 2012/1901, art. 2(a); S.I. 2012/1901, art. 2(a)

F16 S. 292A(2)-(2B) substituted for s. 292A(2) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 7(2)

F17 S. 292A(3)(b)(ia) inserted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 24(1)(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 6 para. 16

F18 S. 292A(3)(b)(ii) omitted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 19 of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 6(3)(a)

F19 S. 292A(3)(ba) inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 7(3)(a)

F20 Words in s. 292A(3)(c) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 7(3)(b)

F21 Words in s. 292A(4) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 7(4)

F22 S. 292A(4A) inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 7(5)

F23 Words in s. 292A(5) inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 7(6)

F24 Words in s. 292A(5) omitted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 19 of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 6(4)

F25 S. 292A(7) inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 7(7)

[F26 292AA Maximum risk finance investments when relevant holding is issued requirement U.K.

(1) The total amount of relevant investments made in the relevant company on or before the investment date must not exceed—

(a) if the relevant company is a knowledge-intensive company at the investment date (see section 331A), £20 million, and

(b) in any other case, £12 million.

(2) In subsection (1), the reference to relevant investments made in the relevant company includes—

(a) relevant investments made in any company that is at the investment date, or has at any time before that date been, a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company (including investments made in such a company before it became such a subsidiary but, if it is not such a subsidiary at the investment date, not investments made in it after it last ceased to be such a subsidiary),

(b) any other relevant investment made in a company to the extent that the money raised by the investment has been employed for the purposes of a trade carried on by another company that has at any time on or before the investment date been a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company (but, if it is not such a subsidiary at the investment date, ignoring any money so employed after it last ceased to be such a subsidiary), and

(c) any other relevant investment made in a company if—

(i) the money raised by the investment has been employed for the purposes of a trade carried on by that company or another person, and

(ii) after the investment was made, but on or before the investment date, that trade became a relevant transferred trade (see subsection (4)).

(3) If only a proportion of the money raised by a relevant investment is employed for the purposes of a trade which becomes a relevant transferred trade, the reference in subsection (2)(c) to the relevant investment is to be read as a reference to the corresponding proportion of that investment.

(4) Where—

(a) at any time on or before the investment date, a trade is transferred—

(i) to the relevant company,

(ii) to a company that at the investment date is, or has at any time before that date been, a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company, or

(iii) to a partnership of which a company within sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) is a member,

(including where it is transferred to a company within sub-paragraph (ii), or a partnership of which such a company is a member, before the company became such a subsidiary but, if the company is not such a subsidiary at the investment date, not where it is transferred to such a company or partnership after the company last ceased to be such a subsidiary), and

(b) the trade or a part of it was previously (at any time) carried on by another person,

the trade or part mentioned in paragraph (b) becomes a “ relevant transferred trade ” at the time it is transferred as mentioned in paragraph (a).

(5) In this section—

• “the investment date” means the date the relevant holding is issued;

• “relevant investment” has the meaning given by section 292A(3), and section 292A(4) and (4A) (which determine when certain investments are made) applies for the purposes of this section;

and section 280B(8) and (9) (meaning of “trade” etc) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of section 280B.

(6) Subsection (7) applies if, by virtue of the provision of a compliance statement under section 205, 257ED or 257PB, the requirement of this section is not met.

(7) The requirement is to be treated as having been met throughout the period—

(a) beginning with the investment date, and

(b) ending with the time the compliance statement was provided.

Textual Amendments

F26 Ss. 292AA, 292AB inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 8

292AB Maximum risk finance investments during the 5-year post-investment period requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section applies if condition A or B is met.

(2) Condition A is that—

(a) a company becomes a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company at any time during the 5-year post-investment period,

(b) all or part of the money raised by the issue of the relevant holding is employed for the purposes of a relevant qualifying activity which consists wholly or in part of a trade carried on by that company, and

(c) that trade (or a part of it) was carried on by that company before it became a 51% subsidiary as mentioned in paragraph (a).

(3) Condition B is that all or part of the money raised by the issue of the relevant holding is employed for the purposes of a relevant qualifying activity which consists wholly or in part of a trade which, during the 5-year post-investment period, becomes a relevant transferred trade (see subsection (7)).

(4) The requirement of this section is that, at all times during the 5-year post-investment period, the total of the relevant investments made in the relevant company before the time in question (“the relevant time”) must not exceed—

(a) if the relevant company is a knowledge-intensive company at the investment date (see section 331A), £20 million, and

(b) in any other case, £12 million.

(5) In subsection (4) the reference to relevant investments made in the relevant company includes—

(a) any relevant investment made in any company that has at any time before the relevant time been a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company (including investments made in that company before it became such a subsidiary but, if it is not such a subsidiary at the relevant time, not investments made in it after it last ceased to be such a subsidiary),

(b) any other relevant investment made in a company to the extent that the money raised by the investment has been employed for the purposes of a trade carried on by another company that has at any time before the relevant time been a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company (but, if it is not such a subsidiary at the relevant time, ignoring any money so employed after it last ceased to be such a subsidiary), and

(c) any other relevant investments made in a company where—

(i) the money raised by the investment has been employed for the purposes of a trade carried on by that company or another person, and

(ii) after that investment was made, but before the relevant time, that trade (or a part of it) became a relevant transferred trade (see subsection (7)).

(6) If only a proportion of the money raised by a relevant investment is employed for the purposes of a trade which became a relevant transferred trade, the reference in subsection (5)(c) to the relevant investment is to be read as a reference to the corresponding proportion of that investment.

(7) Where—

(a) a trade is transferred—

(i) to the relevant company,

(ii) to a company that at the relevant time is, or has before that time been, a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company, or

(iii) to a partnership of which a company within sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) is a member,

(including where it is transferred to a company within sub-paragraph (ii), or a partnership of which such a company is a member, before the company became such a subsidiary but, if the company is not such a subsidiary at the relevant time, not where it is transferred to such a company or partnership after the company last ceased to be such a subsidiary), and

(b) the trade or a part of it was previously (at any time) carried on by another person,

the trade or part mentioned in paragraph (b) becomes a “ relevant transferred trade ” at the time it is transferred as mentioned in paragraph (a).

(8) In this section—

• “5-year post-investment period” means the period of 5 years beginning with the day after the investment date;

• “the investment date” means the date on which the relevant holding is issued;

• “relevant investment” has the meaning given by section 292A(3), and section 292A(4) and (4A) (which determines when certain investments are made) applies for the purposes of this section;

and section 280B(8) and (9) (meaning of “trade” etc) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of section 280B.

(9) Subsection (10) applies if, by virtue of the provision of a compliance statement under section 205, 257ED or 257PB, the requirement of this section is not met.

(10) The requirement is to be treated as having been met throughout the period—

(a) beginning with the investment date, and

(b) ending with the time the compliance statement was provided.]

Textual Amendments

F26 Ss. 292AA, 292AB inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 8

F27 292B The spending of money raised by SEIS investment requirement U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F27 S. 292B omitted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(2) of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 9

293 The use of the money raised requirement U.K.

[F28 (1) The requirement of this section is that—

(a) less than two years has passed since the trading time, or

(b) at least two years has passed since the trading time and all of the money raised by the issue of the relevant holding has been employed wholly for the purposes of a relevant qualifying activity.]

F29 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F29 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F29 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) In subsection (1) “the trading time” means whichever is applicable of the following—

(a) in a case where the requirement of section 291 was met in relation to the time when the relevant holding was issued and the relevant qualifying activity falls within subsection (2) of that section, the time when the relevant holding was issued, and

(b) in a case where that requirement was met in relation to that time and the relevant qualifying activity falls within subsection (3) of that section, the time when the condition in subsection (4)(a) of that section was met by a qualifying company beginning to carry on the intended trade.

[F30 (5ZA) Employing money raised by the issue of the relevant holding (whether on its own or together with other money) on the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of—

(a) an interest in another company such that a company becomes a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company,

(b) a further interest in a company which is a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company,

(c) a trade,

(d) intangible assets employed for the purposes of a trade, or

(e) goodwill employed for the purposes of a trade,

does not amount to employing the money for the purposes of a relevant qualifying activity.

(5ZB) The Treasury may by regulations provide that subsection (5ZA) does not apply in relation to acquisitions of intangible assets which are of a description specified, or which occur in circumstances specified, in the regulations.

(5ZC) For the purposes of subsections (5ZA) and (5ZB)—

• “goodwill” has the same meaning as in Part 8 of CTA 2009 (see section 715(3));

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

and section 280B(8) and (9) (meaning of “trade” etc) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of section 280B.

(5A) Also, otherwise employing money on the acquisition of shares in a company does not of itself amount to employing the money for the purposes of a relevant qualifying activity.]

(6) For the purposes of this section money is not to be treated as employed otherwise than wholly for the purposes of a relevant qualifying activity if the only amount employed for other purposes is an amount which is not a significant amount.

(7) Nothing in section 286(5) requires any money whose use is ignored by virtue of subsection (6) to be treated as raised by a different holding.

(8) In this section—

• “qualifying activity” and “qualifying company” have the same meaning as in section 291, and

• a qualifying activity is a “relevant qualifying activity” if—

  (a)

  it was also a qualifying activity at the time when the relevant holding was issued, or

  (b)

  it is a qualifying trade and preparing to carry it on was a qualifying activity at that time.

Textual Amendments

F28 S. 293(1) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 14 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2009 (c. 10), Sch. 8 para. 9(2)

F29 S. 293(2)-(4) omitted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 14 of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance Act 2009 (c. 10), Sch. 8 para. 9(3)

F30 S. 293(5ZA)-(5A) substituted for s. 293(5A) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 10

294 The relevant company to carry on the relevant qualifying activity requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section is met if, at no time after the issue of the relevant holding, has the relevant qualifying activity in question been carried on by a person other than—

(a) the relevant company, or

(b) a qualifying 90% subsidiary of that company.

In this subsection “the relevant qualifying activity in question” means the relevant qualifying activity by reference to which the requirement of section 293 is met.

(2) The requirement of this section is not to be regarded as failing to be met merely because of the carrying on of the trade in question by a person other than the relevant company, or a qualifying subsidiary of that company, at any time—

(a) after the issue of the relevant holding, and

(b) before the relevant company, or any qualifying 90% subsidiary of that company, carries on that trade.

(3) The requirement of this section is not to be regarded as failing to be met merely because of the carrying on of the trade in question—

(a) by the partners in a partnership of which the relevant company, or a qualifying 90% subsidiary of that company, is a member, or

(b) by the parties to a joint venture to which the relevant company, or a qualifying 90% subsidiary of that company, is a party.

(4) The requirement of this section is not to be regarded as failing to be met if—

(a) merely because of anything done as a consequence of the relevant company or any other company being in administration or receivership, or

(b) merely because of the relevant company or any other company being wound up or dissolved without winding up,

the trade in question ceases to be carried on by the relevant company or a qualifying 90% subsidiary of that company and is subsequently carried on by a person who has not been connected, at any time after the date which is 12 months before the issue of the relevant holding, with the relevant company.

(5) Subsection (4) applies only if—

(a) the entry into administration or receivership and everything done in consequence of the company concerned being in administration or receivership, or

(b) the winding up or dissolution,

is for genuine commercial reasons and is not part of a scheme or arrangement the purpose or one of the main purposes of which is the avoidance of tax.

(6) In this section “the trade in question” means so much of the relevant qualifying activity mentioned in subsection (1) as consists of—

(a) a trade which was being carried on at the time when the relevant holding was issued, or

(b) a trade for the carrying on of which preparations were being made at that time.

(7) The definition of “relevant qualifying activity” in subsection (8) of section 293 applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of that section.

[F31 294A The permitted company age requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section is that, if the relevant holding is issued after the initial investing period, condition A, B or C must be met.

(2) “The initial investing period” means—

(a) where the relevant company is a knowledge-intensive company at the investment date, the period of 10 years beginning with the relevant first commercial sale, and

(b) in any other case, the period of 7 years beginning with that sale.

(3) Condition A is that—

(a) a relevant investment was made in the relevant company before the end of the initial investing period, and

(b) some or all of the money raised by that investment was employed for the purposes of the relevant qualifying activity (or a part of it).

(4) Condition B is that—

(a) the total amount of relevant investments made in the relevant company in a period of 30 consecutive days which includes the investment date is at least 50% of the average turnover amount, and

(b) the money raised by those investments is employed for the purpose of entering a new product or geographical market.

(5) Condition C is that—

(a) condition B in subsection (4) or condition B in section 175A(4) (EIS: permitted company age requirement) was previously met in relation to one or more relevant investments made in the relevant company, and

(b) some or all of the money raised by those investment was employed for the purposes of the relevant qualifying activity.

(6) “The relevant first commercial sale” means the earliest of the following—

(a) the first commercial sale made by the relevant company,

(b) the first commercial sale made by a company that is at the investment date, or before that date has been, a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company (including a sale made by a company before it became such a subsidiary but, if it is not such a subsidiary at the investment date, not a sale made after it last ceased to be such a subsidiary),

(c) the first commercial sale made by any person who previously (at any time) carried on a trade which was subsequently carried on, on or before the investment date, by—

(i) the relevant company, or

(ii) a company that is at the investment date, or before that date has been, a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company,

(including a trade subsequently carried on by such a company before it became such a subsidiary but, if it not such a subsidiary at the investment date, not a trade which it carried on only after it last ceased to be such a subsidiary);

(d) the first commercial sale made by a company which becomes a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company after the investment date in circumstances where all or part of the money raised by the issue of the relevant holding is employed for the purposes of an activity carried on by that subsidiary (including a sale made by such a company before it became such a subsidiary);

(e) the first commercial sale made by any person who previously (at any time) carried on a trade which was subsequently carried on by a company mentioned in paragraph (d) (including a trade carried on by such a company before it became such a subsidiary);

(f) if the money raised by the issue of the relevant holding (or any part of it) is employed for the purposes of a trade which has been transferred after the investment date to the relevant company or a 51% subsidiary of that company (or to a partnership of which the relevant company or such a subsidiary is a member), having previously (at any time) been carried on by another person, the first commercial sale made by that other person.

(7) “The average turnover amount” means one fifth of the total relevant turnover amount for the [F32 relevant five year period. ]

[F33 (7A) Subject to subsection (7B), the relevant five year period is the five year period which ends immediately before the beginning of the last accounts filing period.

(7B) If the last accounts filing period ends more than 12 months before the investment date, the relevant five year period is the five year period which ends 12 months before the investment date.]

(8) In this section—

• “entering a new product or geographical market” has the same meaning as in Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 (General block exemption Regulation);

• “first commercial sale” has the same meaning as in the European Commission's Guidelines on State aid to promote risk finance investments (as those guidelines may be amended or replaced from time to time);

• “the investment date” means the date the relevant holding is issued;

• “the last accounts filing period” means the last period for filing (within the meaning of section 442 of the Companies Act 2006) for the relevant company which ends before the date on which the relevant holding is issued;

• “relevant investment” has the meaning given by section 292A(3), and section 292A(4) and (4A) (which determines when certain investments are made) applies for the purposes of this section;

• “relevant qualifying activity” means the qualifying activity for which the money raised by the issue of the relevant holding is employed;

• “the total relevant turnover amount” for a period is—

  (a)

  if the relevant company is a single company at the investment date, the sum of—

  (i)

  the relevant company's turnover for that period,

  (ii)

  if all or part of the money raised by the issue of the relevant shares is employed for the purposes of an activity carried on by a company which becomes a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company after the investment date, the turnover for that period of that subsidiary (or, if there is more than one, each of them), and

  (iii)

  if all or part of the money raised by the issue of the relevant shares is employed for the purposes of a transferred trade, the turnover of that trade for so much of that period as falls before the trade became a transferred trade (except to the extent that it is already included in calculating the amounts within sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii));

  (b)

  if the relevant company is a parent company at the investment date, the sum of—

  (i)

  the relevant company's turnover for that period,

  (ii)

  the turnover for that period of each company which at the investment date is a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company,

  (iii)

  if all or part of the money raised by the issue of the relevant holding is employed for the purposes of an activity carried on by a company which becomes a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company after the investment date, the turnover for that period of that subsidiary (or, if there is more than one, each of them), and

  (iv)

  if all or part of the money raised by the issue of the relevant shares is employed for the purposes of a transferred trade, the turnover of that trade for so much of that period as falls before the trade became a transferred trade (except to the extent that it is already included in calculating the amounts within sub-paragraphs (i) to (iii));

• “transferred trade” means a trade which has been transferred to the company which is carrying on the trade at the time the money raised by the issue of the relevant holding is employed or to a partnership of which that company is a member;

• “turnover”—

  (a)

  in relation to a company, has the meaning given by section 474(1) of the Companies Act 2006 and is to be determined by reference to the accounts of companies and amounts recognised for accounting purposes (and such apportionments of those amounts as are just and reasonable are to be made for the purpose of determining a company's turnover for a period);

  (b)

  in relation to any other person carrying on a trade, also has the meaning given by section 474(1) of that Act (reading references in that provision to a company as references to the person) and is to be determined by reference to the accounts of the person and amounts recognised for accounting purposes (and such apportionments of those amounts as are just and reasonable are to be made for the purpose of determining a person's turnover for a period);

  (c)

  in relation to a transferred trade carried on by a company or other person, means such proportion of the turnover of the company or other person as it is just and reasonable to attribute to the transferred trade;

and section 280B(8) and (9) (meaning of “trade” etc) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of section 280B.]

Textual Amendments

F31 S. 294A inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 11

F32 Words in s. 294A(7) substituted (retrospectively) by Finance Act 2016 (c. 24), s. 29(4)(a)(6) (with s. 30)

F33 S. 294A(7A)(7B) inserted (retrospectively) by Finance Act 2016 (c. 24), s. 29(4)(b)(6) (with s. 30)

295 The unquoted status requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section is that the relevant company must be an unquoted company.

(2) In this section “unquoted company” means a company none of whose shares, stocks, debentures or other securities are marketed to the general public.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), shares, stocks, debentures or other securities are marketed to the general public if they are—

(a) listed on [F34 a recognised stock exchange, ]

(b) listed on a designated exchange in a country outside the United Kingdom, or

(c) dealt in F35 ... outside the United Kingdom by such means as may be designated.

(4) In subsection (3)(b) and (c) “designated” means designated by an order made by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs for the purposes of that provision.

(5) An order made for the purposes of subsection (3)(b) may designate an exchange by name, or by reference to any class or description of exchanges, including a class or description framed by reference to any authority or approval given in a country outside the United Kingdom.

(6) If—

(a) any shares in or securities of a company are included in the qualifying holdings of the investing company, and

(b) that company ceases to be an unquoted company at any time while the investing company is approved as a VCT,

the requirements of this section are to be treated, in relation to shares or securities acquired before that time, as continuing to be met for a period of 5 years after that time.

Textual Amendments

F34 Words in s. 295(3)(a) substituted (19.7.2007) by Finance Act 2007 (c. 11), Sch. 26 para. 12(7)(a)

F35 Words in s. 295(3)(c) repealed (19.7.2007) by Finance Act 2007 (c. 11), Sch. 26 para. 12(7)(b), Sch. 27 Pt. 6(5)

296 The control and independence requirement U.K.

(1) The control element of the requirement is that—

(a) the relevant company must not control (whether on its own or together with any person connected with it) any company which is not a qualifying subsidiary of the relevant company, and

(b) no arrangements must be in existence by virtue of which the relevant company could fail to meet paragraph (a).

(2) The independence element of the requirement is that—

(a) the relevant company must not be under the control of another company (or of another company and any other person connected with that other company), and

(b) no arrangements must be in existence by virtue of which the relevant company could fail to meet paragraph (a).

(3) This section is subject to section 327(7) (exchange of shares).

297 The gross assets requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section in the case of a relevant company that is a single company is that the value of the company's gross assets—

(a) did not exceed [F36 £15 million] immediately before the issue of the relevant holding, and

(b) did not exceed [F37 £16 million] immediately afterwards.

(2) The requirement of this section in the case of a relevant company that is a parent company is that the value of the group assets—

(a) did not exceed [F38 £15 million] immediately before the issue of the relevant holding, and

(b) did not exceed [F39 £16 million] immediately afterwards.

(3) The value of the group assets means the sum of the values of the gross assets of each of the members of the group, ignoring any that consist in rights against, or shares in or securities of, another member of the group.

Textual Amendments

F36 Words in s. 297(1)(a) substituted (19.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 20(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 paras. 8(a), 20(2); S.I. 2012/1901, art. 2(b)

F37 Words in s. 297(1)(b) substituted (19.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 20(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 paras. 8(b), 20(2); S.I. 2012/1901, art. 2(b)

F38 Words in s. 297(2)(a) substituted (19.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 20(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 paras. 8(a), 20(2); S.I. 2012/1901, art. 2(b)

F39 Words in s. 297(2)(b) substituted (19.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 20(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 paras. 8(b), 20(2); S.I. 2012/1901, art. 2(b)

[F40 297A The number of employees requirement U.K.

(1) If the relevant company is a single company, the full-time equivalent employee number for it must be less than [F41 the permitted limit] when the relevant holding is issued.

(2) If the relevant company is a parent company, the sum of—

(a) the full-time equivalent employee number for it, and

(b) the full-time equivalent employee numbers for each of its qualifying subsidiaries,

must be less than [F42 the permitted limit] when the relevant holding is issued.

(3) The full-time equivalent employee number for a company is calculated as follows—

Step 1

Find the number of full-time employees of the company.

Step 2

Add, for each employee of the company who is not a full-time employee, such fraction as is just and reasonable.

The result is the full-time equivalent employee number.

[F43 (3A) The permitted limit” means—

(a) if the relevant company is a knowledge-intensive company at the time the relevant holding is issued (see section 331A), 500, and

(b) in any other case, 250.

(3B) The Treasury may by regulations amend subsection (3A)(a) or (b) by substituting a different number for the number for the time being specified there.]

(4) In this section references to an employee—

(a) include a director, but

(b) do not include—

(i) an employee on maternity [F44 , paternity or shared parental] leave, or

(ii) a student on vocational training.]

Textual Amendments

F40 S. 297A inserted (retrospective to 6.4.2007) by Finance Act 2007 (c. 11), Sch. 16 para. 3(3)(5) (with Sch. 16 para. 3(6), (7))

F41 Words in s. 297A(1) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 12(a)

F42 Words in s. 297A(2) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 12(a)

F43 S. 297A(3A)(3B) inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 12(b)

F44 Words in s. 297A(4)(b)(i) substituted (1.12.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 7 para. 72; S.I. 2014/1640, art. 5(2)(cc)

[F45 297B The proportion of skilled employees requirement U.K.

(1) The requirement of this section is that, where the conditions in subsection (2) are met, at all times in the period of 3 years beginning with the issue of the relevant holding—

(a) if the relevant company is a single company, the FTE skilled employee number must be at least 20% of the FTE employee number, and

(b) if the relevant company is a parent company, the FTE group skilled employee number must be at least 20% of the FTE group employee number.

(2) The conditions are that—

(a) the requirements one or more of sections 292AA, 294A and 297A (the maximum risk finance investments when relevant holding is issued requirement and the number of employees requirement) is or are met only by reason of the relevant company being a knowledge-intensive company at the time the relevant holding was issued, and

(b) the innovation condition in section 331A(6) was not met by the relevant company at that time.

(3) The requirement of this section is not to be regarded as failing to be met at a time when the relevant company, by virtue of section 292 (companies in administration or receivership), is not regarded as having ceased to meet the trading requirement.

(4) In this section “FTE employee number”, “FTE group employee number”, “FTE skilled employee number” and “FTE group skilled employee number” have the meaning given by section 331A(10) (meaning of “knowledge-intensive company”).]

Textual Amendments

F45 S. 297B inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 6 para. 23(3) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 (c. 33), Sch. 6 para. 13

298 The qualifying subsidiaries requirement U.K.

Any subsidiary that the relevant company has must be a qualifying subsidiary of the company.

299 The property managing subsidiaries requirement U.K.

(1) Any property managing subsidiary that the relevant company has must be a qualifying 90% subsidiary of the company.

(2) “Property managing subsidiary” means a subsidiary of the relevant company whose business consists wholly or mainly in the holding or managing of land or any property deriving its value from land.

(3) In subsection (2) references to property deriving its value from land include—

(a) any shareholding in a company deriving its value directly or indirectly from land,

(b) any partnership interest deriving its value directly or indirectly from land,

(c) any interest in settled property deriving its value directly or indirectly from land, and

(d) any option, consent or embargo affecting the disposition of land.

[F46 299A The no disqualifying arrangements requirement U.K.

(1) The relevant holding must not have been issued, nor any money raised by the issue employed, in consequence or anticipation of, or otherwise in connection with, disqualifying arrangements.

(2) Arrangements are “disqualifying arrangements” if—

(a) the main purpose, or one of the main purposes, of the arrangements is to secure—

(i) that a qualifying activity is or will be carried on by the relevant company or a qualifying 90% subsidiary of that company, and

(ii) that shares or securities issued by the relevant company may be comprised in any company's qualifying holdings or that one or more persons may obtain relevant tax relief in respect of such shares which raise money for the purposes of that qualifying activity,

(b) that qualifying activity is the relevant qualifying activity by reference to which the requirement in section 293(1)(b) (money raised to be employed within two years for relevant qualifying activity) is met in relation to the relevant holding, and

(c) one or both of conditions A and B are met.

(3) Condition A is that, as a (direct or indirect) result of the money raised by the issue of the relevant holding being employed as required by section 293(1)(b), an amount representing the whole or the majority of the amount raised is, in the course of the arrangements, paid to or for the benefit of a relevant person or relevant persons.

(4) Condition B is that, in the absence of the arrangements, it would have been reasonable to expect that the whole or greater part of the component activities of the relevant qualifying activity would have been carried on as part of another business by a relevant person or relevant persons.

(5) For the purposes of this section it is immaterial whether the relevant company is a party to the arrangements.

(6) In this section—

• “component activities” means—

  (a)

  if the relevant qualifying activity is within section 291(2), the carrying on of a qualifying trade which constitutes that activity, and

  (b)

  if the relevant qualifying activity is within section 291(3), the preparations to carry on a qualifying trade which constitute that activity;

• “arrangements” includes any scheme, agreement, understanding, transaction or series of transactions (whether or not legally enforceable);

• “relevant person” means a person who is a party to the arrangements or a person connected with such a party;

• “qualifying activity” has the same meaning as in section 291;

• “relevant tax relief”, in respect of shares, means one or more of the following—

  (a)

  relief under Chapter 6 of Part 4 (losses on disposal of shares) in respect of the shares;

  (b)

  EIS relief (within the meaning of Part 5) in respect of the shares;

  (c)

  SEIS relief (within the meaning of Part 5A) in respect of the shares;

  (ca)

  [F47 SI relief (within the meaning of Part 5B) in respect of the shares;]

  (d)

  relief under section 150A or 150E of TCGA 1992 (enterprise investment scheme and seed enterprise investment scheme) in respect of the shares;

  (e)

  relief under Schedule 5B to that Act in consequence of which deferral relief is attributable to the shares;

  (f)

  relief under Schedule 5BB to that Act (seed enterprise investment scheme: re-investment) in consequence of which SEIS re-investment relief is attributable to the shares (see paragraph 4 of that Schedule).]

Textual Amendments

F46 S. 299A inserted (17.7.2012) (with effect in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 19 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 8 para. 10

F47 Words in s. 299A(6) inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 1 para. 16 of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2017 (c. 32), Sch. 1 para. 11(4)