Part 16U.K.Income Tax Acts definitions etc

Chapter 1U.K.Definitions

988Overview of ChapterU.K.

(1)This Chapter contains definitions which apply for the purposes of the Income Tax Acts, except where, in those Acts, the context otherwise requires.

(2)To find a definition go first to section 989, which sets out some of the definitions in full.

(3)If a definition is not set out in full in section 989, the section indicates where it is set out in full.

(4)In some cases it is stated that a definition does not apply for the purposes of specified provisions of the Income Tax Acts (see, for example, sections 990(2), 992(3) and 1007(4)).

(5)And in some cases it is stated that a definition has effect only for the purposes of specific provisions of the Income Tax Acts (see, for example, sections 991, 993, 995 and 1006).

989The definitionsU.K.

The following definitions apply for the purposes of the Income Tax Acts—

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 989 inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 2 para. 25 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2009 (c. 10), Sch. 2 para. 8(2)

F2Word in s. 989 substituted (21.7.2008 with effect in accordance with Sch. 1 para. 65 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 1 para. 33(2)

F3Words in s. 989 inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 2 para. 25 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2009 (c. 10), Sch. 2 para. 8(3)

F4Words in s. 989 inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 2 para. 25 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2009 (c. 10), Sch. 2 para. 8(4)

F7Words in s. 989 omitted (21.7.2008 with effect in accordance with Sch. 1 para. 65 of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 1 para. 33(3)

F8Words in s. 989 repealed (with effect in accordance with s. 1329(1) of the amending Act) by Corporation Tax Act 2009 (c. 4), s. 1329(1), Sch. 1 para. 719, Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with Sch. 2 Pts. 1, 2)

F9Words in s. 989 inserted (19.7.2007) by Finance Act 2007 (c. 11), Sch. 26 para. 12(12)

F10Words in s. 989 substituted (21.7.2008 with effect in accordance with Sch. 1 para. 65 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 1 para. 33(4)

F11Words in s. 989 inserted (21.7.2008 with effect in accordance with s. 34(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 12 para. 31

F12Word in s. 989 substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 19 para. 14 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2009 (c. 10), Sch. 19 para. 13(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 989 applied by 1992 c. 12, s. 4(6) (as inserted (6.4.2007) by Income Tax Act 2007 (c. 3), s. 1034(1), Sch. 1 para. 295(7) (with Sch. 2))

990Meaning of “Act”U.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts “Act” includes Northern Ireland legislation.

(2)This section does not apply for the purposes of—

(a)this Act (see instead section 1018), or

(b)ITTOIA 2005 (see instead sections 879 and 880 of that Act).

991Meaning of “bank”U.K.

(1)This section has effect for the purposes of the provisions of the Income Tax Acts which apply this section.

(2)Bank” means—

(a)the Bank of England,

(b)a person who has permission under Part 4 of FISMA 2000 to accept deposits (but see subsection (3) for exclusions),

(c)an EEA firm of the kind mentioned in paragraph 5(b) of Schedule 3 to FISMA 2000 which has permission under paragraph 15 of that Schedule to accept deposits (as a result of qualifying for authorisation under paragraph 12(1) of that Schedule),

(d)the European Investment Bank, and

(e)an international organisation designated as a bank for the purposes of this section by an order made by the Treasury.

(3)The reference to a person who has permission under Part 4 of FISMA 2000 to accept deposits does not include—

(a)a building society,

(b)a society registered within the meaning of the Friendly Societies Act 1974 (c. 46) or incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40),

(c)a society registered as a credit union under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 (c. 12) or the Credit Unions (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (S.I. 1985/1205 (N.I. 12)), or

(d)an insurance company within the meaning of section 275 of FA 2004.

(4)The Treasury may designate an international organisation for the purposes of this section only if the United Kingdom is a member of the organisation.

992Meaning of “company”U.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts “company” means any body corporate or unincorporated association, but does not include a partnership, a local authority or a local authority association.

(2)Subsection (1) needs to be with read with section 468 of ICTA (authorised unit trusts).

(3)This section does not apply for the purposes of—

(a)Part 6 (venture capital trusts),

(b)Chapters 1, 3 and 4 of Part 13 (transactions in securities and land and sales of income from occupation), and

(c)sections 993 and 994 (meaning of “connected” persons).

993Meaning of “connected” personsU.K.

(1)This section has effect for the purposes of the provisions of the Income Tax Acts which apply this section.

(2)An individual (“A”) is connected with another individual (“B”) if—

(a)A is B's spouse or civil partner,

(b)A is a relative of B,

(c)A is the spouse or civil partner of a relative of B,

(d)A is a relative of B's spouse or civil partner, or

(e)A is the spouse or civil partner of a relative of B's spouse or civil partner.

(3)A person, in the capacity as trustee of a settlement, is connected with—

(a)any individual who is a settlor in relation to the settlement,

(b)any person connected with such an individual,

(c)any close company whose participators include the trustees of the settlement,

(d)any non-UK resident company which, if it were UK resident, would be a close company whose participators include the trustees of the settlement,

(e)any body corporate controlled (within the meaning of section 995) by a company within paragraph (c) or (d),

(f)if the settlement is the principal settlement in relation to one or more sub-fund settlements, a person in the capacity as trustee of such a sub-fund settlement, and

(g)if the settlement is a sub-fund settlement in relation to a principal settlement, a person in the capacity as trustee of any other sub-fund settlements in relation to the principal settlement.

(4)A person who is a partner in a partnership is connected with—

(a)any partner in the partnership,

(b)the spouse or civil partner of any individual who is a partner in the partnership, and

(c)a relative of any individual who is a partner in the partnership.

But this subsection does not apply in relation to acquisitions or disposals of assets of the partnership pursuant to genuine commercial arrangements.

(5)A company is connected with another company if—

(a)the same person has control of both companies,

(b)a person (“A”) has control of one company and persons connected with A have control of the other company,

(c)A has control of one company and A together with persons connected with A have control of the other company, or

(d)a group of two or more persons has control of both companies and the groups either consist of the same persons or could be so regarded if (in one or more cases) a member of either group were replaced by a person with whom the member is connected.

(6)A company is connected with another person (“A”) if—

(a)A has control of the company, or

(b)A together with persons connected with A have control of the company.

(7)In relation to a company, any two or more persons acting together to secure or exercise control of the company are connected with—

(a)one another, and

(b)any person acting on the directions of any of them to secure or exercise control of the company.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 993 applied by S.I. 2006/964, reg. 69J(10)(a) (as inserted (6.4.2008) by The Authorised Investment Funds (Tax) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/705), regs. 1, 5)

C3S. 993 applied (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), Sch. 13 para. 34(7)

C4S. 993 applied by SI 2006/964 reg. 14C(10)(a) (as inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Authorised Investment Funds (Tax) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3159), regs. 1(1), 11)

C5S. 993 applied (21.7.2009) by Finance Act 2009 (c. 10), Sch. 35 para. 2(6)

C6S. 993 applied (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2)(3), Sch. 1 of the amending S.I.) by The Offshore Funds (Tax) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3001), regs. 1(1), 76(3)(a), 82(3)(a), 119, 122

994Meaning of “connected” persons: supplementaryU.K.

(1)In section 993 and this section—

(2)For the purposes of section 993—

(a)a unit trust scheme is treated as if it were a company, and

(b)the rights of the unit holders are treated as if they were shares in the company.

(3)For the purposes of section 993 “trustee”, in the case of a settlement in relation to which there would be no trustees apart from this subsection, means any person—

(a)in whom the property comprised in the settlement is for the time being vested, or

(b)in whom the management of that property is for the time being vested.

Section 466(4) does not apply for the purposes of this subsection.

(4)If any provision of section 993 provides that a person (“A”) is connected with another person (“B”), it also follows that B is connected with A.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7S. 994 applied by S.I. 2006/964, reg. 69J(10)(a) (as inserted (6.4.2008) by The Authorised Investment Funds (Tax) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/705), regs. 1, 5)

C8S. 994 applied by SI 2006/964 reg. 14C(10)(a) (as inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Authorised Investment Funds (Tax) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3159), regs. 1(1), 11)

C9S. 994 applied (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2)(3) Sch. 1 of the amending S.I.) by The Offshore Funds (Tax) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3001), regs. 1(1), 76(3)(a), 82(3)(a), 119, 122

995Meaning of “control”U.K.

(1)This section has effect for the purposes of the provisions of the Income Tax Acts which apply this section.

(2)In relation to a body corporate (“company A”), “control” means the power of a person (“P”) to secure—

(a)by means of the holding of shares or the possession of voting power in relation to that or any other body corporate, or

(b)as a result of any powers conferred by the articles of association or other document regulating that or any other body corporate,

that the affairs of company A are conducted in accordance with P's wishes.

(3)In relation to a partnership, “control” means the right to a share of more than half the assets, or of more than half the income, of the partnership.

996Meaning of “farming” and related expressionsU.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts “farming” means the occupation of land wholly or mainly for the purposes of husbandry, but does not include market gardening (see subsection (5)).

(2)In subsection (1) “husbandry” includes—

(a)hop growing, and

(b)the breeding and rearing of horses and the grazing of horses in connection with those activities.

(3)For the purposes of the Income Tax Acts the cultivation of short rotation coppice is regarded as husbandry and not as forestry.

(4)In the Income Tax Acts “woodlands” does not include land on which short rotation coppice is cultivated.

(5)In the Income Tax Acts “market gardening” means the occupation of land as a garden or nursery for the purpose of growing produce for sale.

(6)For the purposes of this section “short rotation coppice” means a perennial crop of tree species planted at high density, the stems of which are harvested above ground level at intervals of less than 10 years.

(7)In the application of this section for the purposes of section 192(1) or 303(1) of this Act or paragraph 16 of Schedule 5 to ITEPA 2003—

(a)both references to the occupation of land, and the reference to land on which short rotation coppice is cultivated, refer to land in the United Kingdom, and

(b)the reference to the cultivation of such coppice refers to its cultivation in the United Kingdom.

997Meaning of “generally accepted accounting practice” and related expressionsU.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts “generally accepted accounting practice” means UK generally accepted accounting practice.

This is subject to subsection (3).

(2)In the Income Tax Acts “UK generally accepted accounting practice”—

(a)means generally accepted accounting practice in relation to accounts of UK companies (other than IAS accounts) that are intended to give a true and fair view, and

(b)has the same meaning in relation to—

(i)individuals,

(ii)entities other than companies, and

(iii)companies that are not UK companies,

as it has in relation to UK companies.

(3)In relation to the affairs of a company or other entity that prepares IAS accounts, in the Income Tax Acts “generally accepted accounting practice” means generally accepted accounting practice in relation to IAS accounts.

(4)In the Income Tax Acts “for accounting purposes” means for the purposes of accounts drawn up in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice.

(5)In the Income Tax Acts “international accounting standards” has the same meaning as in the Corporation Tax Acts (see section 50(2) and (3) of FA 2004).

(6)In this section—

998Meaning of “grossing up”U.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts references to grossing up by reference to a rate of tax are to calculating the amount (“the grossed up amount”) which after deduction of income tax at that rate would equal the amount to be grossed up (“the net amount”).

(2)The grossed up amount is the sum of the net amount and the tax deducted.

(3)The grossed up amount may also be expressed as—

where—

GA is the grossed up amount,

NA is the net amount, and

R is the percentage rate of tax by reference to which the net amount is to be grossed up.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10S. 998 applied (21.7.2008) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 19 para. 3(4)

999Meaning of “local authority”U.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts “local authority”, in relation to England and Wales, means—

(a)a billing authority as defined in section 69 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14),

(b)a precepting authority as defined in that section,

(c)a body with power to issue a levy (by virtue of regulations under section 74 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (c. 41)),

(d)a body with power to issue a special levy (by virtue of regulations under section 75 of that Act),

(e)a fire and rescue authority in Wales constituted by a scheme under section 2 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21) or a scheme to which section 4 of that Act applies,

(f)an authority with power to make or determine a rate, or

(g)a residuary body established by order under section 22(1) of the Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19).

(2)In the Income Tax Acts “local authority”, in relation to Scotland, means—

(a)a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39),

(b)a joint board or committee within the meaning of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 65), or

(c)an authority with power to requisition any sum from a council such as is mentioned in paragraph (a).

(3)In the Income Tax Acts “local authority”, in relation to Northern Ireland, means—

(a)an authority with power to make or determine a rate, or

(b)an authority with power to issue a precept, requisition or other demand for the payment of money to be raised out of a rate.

(4)In this section “rate” means a rate—

(a)whose proceeds are applicable for public local purposes, and

(b)which is leviable by reference to the value of land or property.

1000Meaning of “local authority association”U.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts “local authority association” means any incorporated or unincorporated association which meets conditions A and B.

(2)Condition A is that all of its members are local authorities, groups of local authorities or local authority associations.

(3)Condition B is that its purpose, or primary purpose, is to protect and further the general interests of local authorities or any description of local authorities.

(4)For the purposes of condition A, a local authority, group of local authorities or local authority association is treated as a member if it has appointed a person to be a member or is represented by a member.

(5)And, in that case, the appointee or representative is treated as not being a member for the purpose of the condition.

1001Meaning of “offshore installation”U.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts “offshore installation” means a structure which is, is to be, or has been, put to a relevant use while in water (see subsections (3) and (4)).

(2)But a structure is not an offshore installation if—

(a)it has permanently ceased to be put to a relevant use,

(b)it is not, and is not to be, put to any other relevant use, and

(c)since permanently ceasing to be put to a relevant use, it has been put to a use which is not relevant.

(3)A use is a relevant use if it is—

(a)for the purposes of exploiting mineral resources by means of a well,

(b)for the purposes of exploration with a view to exploiting mineral resources by means of a well,

(c)for the storage of gas in or under the shore or the bed of any waters,

(d)for the recovery of gas so stored,

(e)for the conveyance of things by means of a pipe, or

(f)mainly for the provision of accommodation for individuals who work on or from a structure which is, is to be, or has been, put to any of the above uses while in water.

(4)For the purposes of this section references to a structure being put to a use while in water are to the structure being put to a use while—

(a)standing in any waters,

(b)stationed (by whatever means) in any waters, or

(c)standing on the foreshore or other land intermittently covered with water.

(5)In this section “structure” includes a ship or other vessel.

1002Regulations about the meaning of “offshore installation”U.K.

(1)The Treasury may by regulations make provision as to the meaning of “offshore installation” in the Income Tax Acts.

(2)The regulations may—

(a)add to, amend or repeal any provision of section 1001,

(b)make different provision for different purposes, and

(c)contain incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision and savings.

1003Meaning of “oil and gas exploration and appraisal”U.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts “oil and gas exploration and appraisal” means activities carried out for the purpose of—

(a)searching for petroleum anywhere in an area,

(b)ascertaining a petroleum-bearing area's extent or characteristics, or

(c)ascertaining its reserves of petroleum,

so that it may be determined whether the petroleum is suitable for commercial exploitation.

(2)In this section “petroleum” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Petroleum Act 1998 (c. 17).

1004Meaning of “property investment LLP”U.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts “property investment LLP” means a limited liability partnership—

(a)whose business consists wholly or mainly in the making of investments in land, and

(b)the principal part of whose income is derived from investments in land.

(2)Whether a limited liability partnership is a property investment LLP is determined for each period of account of the partnership.

[F141005Meaning of “recognised stock exchange”etcU.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts “recognised stock exchange” means—

(a)any market of a recognised investment exchange which is for the time being designated as a recognised stock exchange for the purposes of this section by an order made by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, and

(b)any market outside the United Kingdom which is for the time being so designated.

(2)An order under subsection (1) may—

(a)designate a market by name or by reference to any class or description of market (including, in the case of a market outside the United Kingdom, one framed by reference to any authority or approval given in a country outside the United Kingdom),

(b)contain incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision and savings, and

(c)vary or revoke a previous order under that subsection.

(3)References in the Income Tax Acts to securities which are listed on a recognised stock exchange are to securities—

(a)which are admitted to trading on that exchange, and

(b)which are included in the official UK list or are officially listed in a qualifying country outside the United Kingdom in accordance with provisions corresponding to those generally applicable in EEA states.

(4)For this purpose “qualifying country outside the United Kingdom” means any country outside the United Kingdom in which there is a recognised stock exchange.

(5)References in the Income Tax Acts to securities which are included in the official UK list are to securities which are included in the official list (within the meaning of Part 6 of FISMA 2000) in accordance with the provisions of that Part.

(6)In this section—

Textual Amendments

F14S. 1005 substituted (19.7.2007) by Finance Act 2007 (c. 11), Sch. 26 para. 1

1006Meaning of “research and development”U.K.

(1)This section has effect for the purposes of the provisions of the Income Tax Acts which apply this section.

(2)Research and development” means activities that fall to be treated as research and development in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice.

This is subject to subsection (3).

(3)The Treasury may by regulations specify activities which—

(a)are to be treated as being “research and development” for the purposes of this section, or

(b)are to be treated as not being “research and development” for the purposes of this section.

(4)The regulations may—

(a)make provision by reference to guidelines issued by the Secretary of State, and

(b)contain incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision and savings.

(5)Unless otherwise expressly provided, “research and development” does not include oil and gas exploration and appraisal.

1007Meaning of “unit trust scheme”U.K.

(1)In the Income Tax Acts “unit trust scheme” has the meaning given by section 237 of FISMA 2000.

This is subject to subsection (2).

[F15(2)The Treasury may, in relation to a unit trust scheme within the meaning given by section 237 of FISMA 2000 whose trustees are UK resident, by regulations provide that the scheme is not to be a unit trust scheme for the purposes of the definition in section 989 of “unauthorised unit trust” if it is within a specified description.]

(3)The regulations may contain incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision and savings.

(4)This section does not apply for the purposes of section 558 (approved charitable investments).

Textual Amendments

F15S. 1007(2) substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Income Tax Act 2007 (Amendment) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/23), arts. 1(1), 5(5)