Part 9Special rules about settlements and trustees

Chapter 5Share incentive plans

489The applicable period” in relation to shares

1

This section sets out how the applicable period in relation to any shares (“the relevant shares”) is determined for the purposes of section 488.

2

The length of the applicable period depends on whether any shares in the relevant company were readily convertible assets at the time the relevant shares were acquired by the trustees.

3

If any were, the applicable period is the period of two years beginning with the acquisition date.

4

If none were, the applicable period is—

a

the period of 5 years beginning with the acquisition date, or

b

if within that period any shares in the relevant company become readily convertible assets, the period of two years beginning with the date on which they did so,

whichever ends first.

5

Subsections (2) to (4) are subject to subsection (6).

6

If the relevant shares were acquired by the trustees by virtue of a payment in respect of which a deduction is allowed under F2section 989 of CTA 2009 (deduction for contribution to plan trust), the applicable period is the period of 10 years beginning with the acquisition date.

7

In this section—

  • the acquisition date” means the date on which the trustees acquired the relevant shares,

  • “readily convertible assets” has, subject to subsection (8), the meaning given by sections 701 and 702 of ITEPA 2003, and

  • the relevant company” means the company in which the relevant shares are shares.

8

In determining for the purposes of this section whether shares are readily convertible assets, ignore any market for the shares that—

a

is created by virtue of the trustees acquiring shares for the purposes of the F1Schedule 2 share incentive plan, and

b

exists solely for the purposes of that plan.