Finance Act 2004

Contract providing for conveyance to third party U.K.

4 (1) After section 44 insert— U.K.

“44A Contract providing for conveyance to third party

(1) This section applies where a contract is entered into under which a chargeable interest is to be conveyed by one party to the contract (A) at the direction or request of the other (B)—

(a) to a person (C) who is not a party to the contract, or

(b) either to such a person or to B.

(2) B is not regarded as entering into a land transaction by reason of entering into the contract, but the following provisions have effect.

(3) If the contract is substantially performed B is treated for the purposes of this Part as acquiring a chargeable interest, and accordingly as entering into a land transaction.

The effective date of the transaction is when the contract is substantially performed.

(4) Where the contract is (to any extent) afterwards rescinded or annulled, or is for any other reason not carried into effect, the tax paid by virtue of subsection (3) shall (to that extent) be repaid by the Inland Revenue.

Repayment must be claimed by amendment of the land transaction return made in respect of the contract.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), section 44 (contract and conveyance) does not apply (except so far as it defines “substantial performance”) in relation to the contract.

(6) Where—

(a) this section applies by virtue of subsection (1)(b), and

(b) by reason of B’s direction or request, A becomes obliged to convey a chargeable interest to B,

section 44 applies to that obligation as it applies to a contract for a land transaction that is to be completed by a conveyance.

(7) Section 44 applies in relation to any contract between B and C, in respect of the chargeable interest referred to in subsection (1) above, that is to be completed by a conveyance.

References to completion in that section, as it so applies, include references to conveyance by A to C of the subject matter of the contract between B and C.

(8) In this section “contract” includes any agreement and “conveyance” includes any instrument.”.

(2) In section 48 (chargeable interests), after subsection (6) insert—

“(7) This section has effect subject to subsection (3) of section 44A (contract and conveyance to third party).”.

(3) In section 77 (notifiable transactions), after subsection (4) insert—

“(5) A land transaction that a person is treated as entering into by virtue of subsection (3) of section 44A (contract and conveyance to third party) is notifiable.”.