Corporation Tax Act 2009

180 Application of Chapter U.K.

(1) This Chapter applies if—

(a) a company carrying on a trade changes, from one period of account to the next, the basis on which profits of the trade are calculated for corporation tax purposes,

(b) the old basis accorded with the law or practice applicable in relation to the period of account before the change, and

(c) the new basis accords with the law and practice applicable in relation to the period of account after the change.

(2) The practice applicable in any case means the accepted practice in cases of that description as to how profits of a trade should be calculated for corporation tax purposes.

(3) A company changes the basis on which profits of a trade are calculated for corporation tax purposes if the company makes—

(a) a relevant change of accounting approach (see subsection (4)), or

(b) a change in the tax adjustments applied (see subsections (5) and (6)).

(4) A “relevant change of accounting approach” means—

(a) a change of accounting principle or practice that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice, gives rise to a prior period adjustment, or

(b) a change from using UK generally accepted accounting practice to using generally accepted accounting practice with respect to accounts drawn up in accordance with international accounting standards.

(5) A “tax adjustment” means any adjustment required or authorised by law in calculating profits of a trade for corporation tax purposes.

(6) A “change in the tax adjustments applied”—

(a) does not include a change made in order to comply with amending legislation not applicable to the previous period of account, but

(b) includes a change resulting from a change of view as to what is required or authorised by law or as to whether any adjustment is so required or authorised.