Definitions
300Meaning of “qualifying trade”
(1)For the purposes of this Chapter, a trade is a qualifying trade if—
(a)it is conducted on a commercial basis and with a view to the realisation of profits, and
(b)it does not consist wholly or as to a substantial part in the carrying on of excluded activities (see sections 303 to 310).
(2)The carrying on of any activities of research and development from which it is intended—
(a)that a trade will be derived which—
(i)will be a qualifying trade, and
(ii)will be carried on wholly or mainly in the United Kingdom, or
(b)that a trade will benefit which—
(i)is or will be a qualifying trade, and
(ii)is or will be carried on wholly or mainly in the United Kingdom,
is to be treated as the carrying on of a qualifying trade.
(3)But preparing to carry on such activities does not count as preparing to carry on a qualifying trade.
(4)References in this section to a trade are to be read without regard to the definition of “trade” in section 989.
301Meaning of “qualifying 90% subsidiary”
(1)For the purposes of this Chapter, a company (“the subsidiary”) is a qualifying 90% subsidiary of the relevant company at any time when the following conditions are met—
(a)the relevant company possesses at least 90% of the issued share capital of, and at least 90% of the voting power in, the subsidiary,
(b)the relevant company would—
(i)in the event of a winding up of the subsidiary, or
(ii)in any other circumstances,
be beneficially entitled to receive at least 90% of the assets of the subsidiary which would then be available for distribution to equity holders of the subsidiary,
(c)the relevant company is beneficially entitled to receive at least 90% of any profits of the subsidiary which are available for distribution to equity holders of the subsidiary,
(d)no person other than the relevant company has control of the subsidiary, and
(e)no arrangements are in existence by virtue of which any of the conditions in paragraphs (a) to (d) would cease to be met.
(2)Subsections (3), (4) and (5) of section 302 apply in relation to the conditions in subsection (1)—
(a)as they apply in relation to the conditions in subsection (2) of that section, but
(b)with the omission from subsection (5) of “or (as the case may be) by another subsidiary of that company”.
(3)For the purposes of subsection (1)—
(a)the persons who are equity holders of the subsidiary, and
(b)the percentage of the assets of the subsidiary to which an equity holder would be entitled,
are to be determined in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 18 to ICTA.
(4)In making that determination—
(a)references in paragraph 3 of that Schedule to the first company are to be read as references to an equity holder, and
(b)references in that paragraph to a winding up are to be read as including references to any other circumstances in which assets of the subsidiary are available for distribution to its equity holders.
302Meaning of “qualifying subsidiary”
(1)For the purposes of this Chapter, a company (“the subsidiary”) is a qualifying subsidiary of the relevant company if the following conditions are met.
(2)The conditions are that—
(a)the subsidiary is a 51% subsidiary of the relevant company,
(b)no person other than the relevant company, or another of its subsidiaries, has control of the subsidiary, and
(c)no arrangements are in existence by virtue of which either of the conditions in paragraphs (a) and (b) would cease to be met.
(3)The conditions do not cease to be met merely because the subsidiary or any other company is wound up, if the winding up—
(a)is for genuine commercial reasons, and
(b)is not part of a scheme or arrangement the main purpose or one of the main purposes of which is the avoidance of tax.
(4)The conditions do not cease to be met merely because of anything done as a consequence of the subsidiary or any other company being in administration or receivership, if—
(a)the entry into administration or receivership, and
(b)everything done as a consequence of the company concerned 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.
(5)The conditions do not cease to be met merely because arrangements are in existence for the disposal by the relevant company or (as the case may be) by another subsidiary of that company of all its interest in the subsidiary, if the disposal—
(a)is to be for genuine commercial reasons, and
(b)is not to be part of a scheme or arrangement the main purpose or one of the main purposes of which is the avoidance of tax.