Part 4Domestic top-up tax

Chapter 1Introduction

265Introduction to domestic top-up tax

1

The purpose of this Part is to make provision for a qualified domestic minimum top-up tax within the meaning of the Pillar Two rules.

2

For that purpose, this Part makes provision for a tax payable in respect of qualifying entities (that will be located in the United Kingdom) whose rate of tax (as determined in accordance with this Part) is less than 15%.

3

The tax is to be known as “domestic top-up tax”.

4

This Part applies (with modifications) many of the provisions of Part 3 (multinational top-up tax) for the purposes of—

a

determining liability to domestic top-up tax, and

b

administering domestic top-up tax.

5

Except where the contrary appears, expressions used in this Part and in Part 3 (multinational top-up tax) have the same meaning in this Part as they have in Part 3.

266Qualifying entities

1

An entity is qualifying for an accounting period if it is not a DTT excluded entity F6..., it meets condition A for that period and—

a

if it is not a member of a group, it meets condition B for that period, or

b

if it is a member of a group, it meets condition C for that period.

2

Condition A is met by an entity for an accounting period if it is located in the United Kingdom in that period (see section 239 in Part 3).

3

Condition B is met by an entity for an accounting period if the entity has revenue that exceeds the threshold set out in subsection (6) in at least 2 previous accounting periods of the previous 4 accounting periods.

4

For the purposes of condition B, the revenue of an entity that is not a member of a group is to be determined by reference to its qualifying financial statements.

5

Condition C is met by a member of a group for an accounting period if the members of the group have revenue that exceeds the threshold set out in subsection (6) in at least 2 previous accounting periods of the previous 4 accounting periods.

6

The threshold for an accounting period is the amount given by multiplying 750 million euros by the amount given by dividing the number of days in the accounting period by 365.

7

For the purposes of condition C, the revenue of the members of a group for a period is to be determined by reference to the consolidated financial statements of the ultimate parent for that period (see sections 126(2) and 249 in Part 3).

8

Sections 130 and 131 in Part 3 (change in composition of multinational groups) apply for the purpose of Condition C as if—

a

references to “multinational group” were to “group”,

b

i

in subsection (1), for “condition A in section 129(2)” there were substituted “condition C in section 266(5),

ii

in subsection (4), for “section 129(4)” there were substituted section 266(6),

c

i

for “section 129” there were substituted section 266,

ii

for “subsection (2)” there were substituted subsection (5),

iii

for “condition A” there were substituted “condition C”, and

iv

for “section 129(4)” there were substituted section 266(6), and

d

in section 131(2), for “condition A in section 129(2)” there were substituted “condition C in section 266(5)

9

References in this Part to a “group” (other than in the expression “multinational group”) means a consolidated group (see section 126(2) in Part 3).

10

For the purposes of this Partqualifying financial statements” in relation to an entity means—

a

financial statements of the entity prepared in accordance with acceptable accounting standards, or

b

where no such accounts were prepared, the statements that would have been prepared (whether or not the entity was required to prepare such statements) in accordance with an authorised accounting standard that is either—

i

an acceptable accounting standard, or

ii

a financial accounting standard whose application is adjusted to prevent material competitive distortions (see section 249(4)).

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F6

Words in s. 266(1) omitted (22.2.2024 with effect for accounting periods beginning on or after 31.12.2023 in accordance with Sch. 12 para. 1(2) of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), Sch. 12 para. 43(2)

267DTT excluded entities

1

An entity is a DTT excluded entity if—

a

it falls within subsection (3) of section 127 in Part 3 (excluded entities),

b

it is a member of a multinational group and falls within subsection (4) of that section, or

c

it is a member of a group that is not a multinational group, but would fall within that subsection if that group were a multinational group.

2

A DTT excluded entity falling within subsection (1) F10or (3B)(b) (as well as not being a qualifying entity) is, for the purposes of the provisions of this Part other than section 266 and this section, to be treated as not being a member of any group.

3

A qualifying transformer vehicle that is not a member of a multinational group is also a DTT excluded entity.

F73A

A securitisation company that is not a member of a group for the purposes of domestic top-up tax is a DTT excluded entity (and see section 267A).

F113B

An investment entity is a DTT excluded entity if—

a

it is not a member of a group, or

b

it is a member of group that is comprised only of members located in the United Kingdom.

3C

An investment entity that is a member of a group that is not comprised only of members located in the United Kingdom—

a

is not to be regarded as a qualifying entity, but

b

top-up amounts of that entity are to be determined under sections 220 to 224 (see also section 272(8)(e) which has the effect of attributing those amounts to standard members of the group that are qualifying entities and are located in the same territory as the investment entity).

3D

An investment entity that falls within subsection (3C) is not to be regarded as a member of any group for any purpose other than for the purposes of—

a

determining the top-up amounts of that entity under those sections,

b

applying Condition C in section 266 in relation to other members of the group (revenue threshold for group), and

c

subsections (8)(e) (9), (10) and (11) of section 272.

4

In this section

  • F8qualifying transformer vehicle” means—

    1. (a)

      a qualifying transformer vehicle within the meaning of the Risk Transformation (Tax) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1271), or

    2. (b)

      a part of a protected cell company that is a qualifying transformer vehicle within the meaning of those Regulations;

  • F9securitisation company” has the meaning it has in the Taxation of Securitisation Companies Regulations 2006 (see regulation 4).

267AF2Securitisation companies in a group treated as not consolidated

1

Subsection (2) applies to a securitisation company that is a member of a group.

2

The company is only to be regarded as a member of the group for the purposes of applying Condition C in section 266 in relation to other members of the group (revenue threshold for group).

3

Otherwise, the company is to be treated as not being a member of any group for the purposes of domestic top-up tax.

268Permanent establishments

Section 232(3) (permanent establishment treated as distinct from entity it is a permanent establishment of) applies for the purposes of this Part as it applies for the purposes of Part 3.

268AF1Partnerships

Section 232A (partnerships) applies for the purposes of this Part as it applies for the purposes of Part 3.

Chapter 2Charge to domestic top-up tax

269Chargeable persons

1

A person is chargeable to domestic top-up tax for an accounting period if—

a

the person is a qualifying entity for that period and is a body corporate or a partnership F12..., or

b

the person is chargeable to tax in respect of an entity—

i

that is a qualifying entity for that period, and

ii

that is not a body corporate or a partnership F13....

2

A person is chargeable to tax in respect of an entity if the profits of that entity would, on the relevant assumptions, be the profits of the person for the purposes of income tax or corporation tax.

3

The relevant assumptions are that—

a

the entity has profits that are chargeable to income tax or corporation tax, and

b

the person is resident in the United Kingdom for the purposes of that tax.

F144

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F145

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F146

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7

Where more than one person is chargeable to tax in relation to the same qualifying entity as a result of the application of subsection (2), each of those persons is jointly and severally liable to domestic top-up tax.

270Amount charged

1

Where a person is chargeable to domestic top-up tax for an accounting period as a qualifying entity or in respect of a qualifying entity, the amount (if any) the person must pay is determined as follows—

  • Step 1

    Determine whether the entity has any top-up amounts or additional top-up amounts for that period and the extent of those amounts.

  • Step 2

    Determine the sum of those amounts.

  • Step 3

    If the result of Step 3 is not expressed in sterling, convert the result of that Step to sterling.

2

Generally, a qualifying entity will have a top-up amount for an accounting period if it has profits for a period and its effective tax rate (or, where it is a member of a group, that of its group) is less than 15%.

3

Chapter 3 of this Part makes provision, principally by applying (with modifications) provisions in Part 3, for determining—

a

the effective tax rate of a qualifying entity by reference—

i

in the case of an entity that is a member of a group, to the profits of, and the taxes payable by, members of the group that are located in the United Kingdom, or

ii

in the case of an entity that is not a member of a group, to its profits and to the taxes payable by that entity.

b

those profits,

c

which taxes (referred to as “covered taxes”) are to be considered in the determining effective tax rates,

d

top-up amounts, and

e

additional top-up amounts.

271Election to make one member of a group liable for amounts charged

1

Where multiple members of a group are chargeable to domestic top-up tax in an accounting period, the filing member of the group may elect that only one member of the group specified in the election (the “F15elected member”) is to be liable to pay domestic top-up tax in that period.

2

Where an election under this section is made—

a

no member of the group other than the F16elected member is required to pay any amount by way of domestic top-up tax, and

b

the F16elected member must pay any amount by way of domestic top-up tax any other member of the group would have been required to pay if the election had not been made.

3

Subsection (2) does not apply if the F17elected member has not consented to the election.

4

Paragraph 2 of Schedule 15 (annual elections) applies to an election under this section, and has effect for that purpose as if references to an information return or overseas return notification were to a self-assessment return or below-threshold notification.

Chapter 3Application of multinational top-up tax provisions

272Determining top-up amounts of entity that is a member of a group

1

Subject as follows, Chapters 3 to 6, 8 and 9 of Part 3 apply for the purposes (“domestic purposes”) of determining whether a qualifying entity that is a member of a group has top-up amounts or additional top-up amounts, and the extent of those amounts, as they apply for the purpose of determining the same for the purposes of multinational top-up tax.

2

Where the group is not a multinational group, that Part has effect for domestic purposes as if any reference to a multinational group were to a group.

3

Part 3 has effect for those purposes as if the following provisions (which provide for reductions of top-up amounts where a qualifying domestic top-up tax is payable) were omitted—

a

in section 194, subsections (2) to (7);

b

in section 203, subsections (3) to (7);

c

in section 206, subsections (4) to (8).

4

The following provisions of Part 3 are of no practical application for domestic purposes and accordingly that Part has effect for those purposes as if they were omitted—

a

section 173(1)(b) and sections 189 to 192 (eligible distribution tax systems);

b

section 225 (attribution of top-up amounts of investment entities).

5

Where—

a

an election is made under Part 3 in relation to a member of a multinational group (whether or not a qualifying entity) for the purposes of multinational top-up tax, and

b

if the election had effect for domestic purposes, it would affect the calculation of top-up amounts or additional top-up amounts,

that election has effect for domestic purposes.

6

For the purposes of subsection (5), a foreign IIR election is to be treated as an election made under Part 3.

7

A “foreign IIR election” means an election—

a

made in respect of a group in connection with a tax equivalent to multinational top-up tax in another Pillar Two territory;

b

contained in an information return—

i

submitted to a qualifying authority in that territory, and

ii

in relation to which information in the return about the election has been shared with HMRC.

8

For domestic purposes—

a

section 134 (underlying profits as determined for statements of ultimate parent) has effect as if, after subsection (3), there were inserted—

3A

The conditions in subsection (3) are not required to be met if—

a

the alternative accounting standard is UK GAAP,

b

all members of the group are located in the United Kingdom, and

c

the filing member of the group has made an election in a self-assessment return that the underlying profits of all members of the group are to be determined on the basis of UK GAAP.

3B

Paragraph 1 of Schedule 15 (long term elections) applies to an election under subsection (3A), and has effect for that purpose as if references to an information return or overseas return notification were to a self-assessment return or below-threshold notification.

b

section 176 (amounts to be reflected in covered tax balance) has effect as if, for subsection (2)(i) (amounts allocated from another member of the group), there were substituted—

i

any amount allocated to the member from another member of the group under section 178(1) (reallocation of tax expense).

c

section 178 (reallocation of tax expense) has effect as if—

i

F22for subsection (1A) there were substituted

1A

But qualifying tax expense in respect of tax imposed by a territory other than the United Kingdom is not to be allocated to O as a result of the allocation of profits under section 167 (hybrids).

ii

subsection (2) (restriction on allocation of tax expense in respect of mobile income) were omitted;

d

section 179 (controlled foreign companies) has effect as if subsection (2) (restriction on allocation to CFC) were omitted;

F21da

in section 182(2)(e), after “credits”, in the first place it occurs, there were inserted “other than qualifying refundable tax credits”;

e

section 193 (calculation of top-up amounts) has effect F18in relation to a qualifying entity that is a standard member of a group as if the total top-up amount referred to in that section included any top-up amounts or additional top-up amounts of F19qualifying investment entities determined under sections 220 to 224.

F209

An investment entity is a qualifying investment entity in relation to a qualifying entity if it is

a

a member of the same group as the qualifying entity, and

b

located in United Kingdom.

10

Subsection (11) applies to qualifying entities that are standard members of a group for an accounting period where—

a

the total top-up amount referred to in section 193 for that period is greater than nil as a result of the modification of that section set out in subsection (8)(e), and

b

none of those members have made a profit for that period (and accordingly will not, ignoring subsection (11), have top-up amounts).

11

Where this subsection applies, each of those members has a top-up amount (for the purposes of domestic top-up tax) equal to the total top-up amount divided by the number of qualifying entities that are standard members of the group.

272AF3Treatment of covered bond vehicles

1

This section applies where—

a

a covered bond vehicle that is a member of a group would, ignoring this section, have a top-up amount or an additional top-up amount for an accounting period, and

b

at least one of the other members of the group in that period—

i

is located in the United Kingdom, and

ii

is not a covered bond vehicle.

2

For domestic purposes, section 193 (calculation of top-up amounts) has effect for the purpose of determining the top-up amounts (and additional top-up amounts) of—

a

the covered bond vehicle, and

b

the other members of the group that are located in the United Kingdom,

as if the adjusted profits of the covered bond vehicle were nil.

3

But subsection (4) applies if none of the members of the group that are located in the United Kingdom, and are not covered bond vehicles, have made a profit for that period (and accordingly will not, ignoring that subsection, have top-up amounts).

4

Each of those members has a top-up amount equal to the amount given by dividing—

a

the sum of the top-up amounts and additional top-up amounts that, ignoring subsection (2), each covered bond vehicle located in the United Kingdom would otherwise have, by

b

the number of those members.

5

For the purposes of this section “covered bond vehicle” has the meaning given by paragraph 53(7) of Schedule 19 to FA 2011.

273Determining top-up amounts of entity that is not a member of a group

1

Chapters 3 to 6, 8 and 9 of Part 3 apply for the purposes (“domestic entity purposes”) of determining whether a qualifying entity that is not a member of a group has top-up amounts or additional top-up amounts, and the extent of those amounts, as they apply for the purpose of determining the same for the purposes of multinational top-up tax.

2

Chapter 3 of that Part has effect for domestic entity purposes as if for section 132 there were substituted—

132Effective tax rate

The effective tax rate of a qualifying entity that is not a member of a group is determined as follows—

  • Step 1

    Determine, in accordance with Chapter 4 of Part 3, the adjusted profits for that period of that member.

  • Step 2

    If, on determining those adjusted profits, the member has not made a profit, the effective tax rate is to be treated as 15%. Otherwise, proceed to Step 3.

  • Step 3

    Determine the covered tax balance of the member for the period (which may be negative) in accordance with Chapter 5 of Part 3.

  • Step 4

    If that balance is nil the effective tax rate is 0%. Otherwise, proceed to Step 5.

  • Step 5

    Divide the covered tax balance by the adjusted profits.

  • Step 6

    Except where Step 2 or 4 applies, the effective tax rate of the entity is X%, where X (which will be negative if the covered tax balance is negative) is the result of Step 5 multiplied by 100.

3

That Part has effect for domestic entity purposes as if—

a

references to “member of a multinational group” (however framed and including references to multiple members) were to “qualifying entity”;

b

any reference (however framed) to the consolidated financial statements of the ultimate parent were to the qualifying financial statements of the entity;

F23ba

in section 182(2)(e), after “credits”, in the first place it occurs, there were inserted “other than qualifying refundable tax credits”;

c

in section 194 (total top-up amount), subsections (2) to (7) were omitted;

d

in section 203 (additional top-up amounts: covered taxes less than expected), subsections (3) to (7) were omitted;

e

in section 206 (additional top-up amounts: recalculations), subsections (4) to (8) were omitted.

4

Part 3 has effect for those purposes as if the following provisions (which are only relevant to groups or have no relevance for domestic F24entity purposes) were omitted—

a

in section 134 (underlying profits as determined for statements of ultimate parent), subsections (2) to (9);

b

section 135 (permanent establishments);

c

section 139 (consolidation adjustments);

d

section 140 (purchase accounting adjustments);

e

in section 141 (general exclusion of dividends), F25subsection (3)(c);

f

section 149 (arm’s length requirement);

g

section 150 (transactions between group members);

h

section 154 (exclusion of qualifying intra-group financing arrangement expenses);

i

sections 159 and 160 (adjustments applicable to permanent establishments);

j

in section 163 (election to spread capital gains), subsection (3);

k

section 164 (election to exclude intra-group transactions);

l

section 167 (underlying profits of member of group seen as transparent);

m

in section 168 (underlying profits of flow-through entities), subsection (8);

n

section 169 (non-tax resident entities to be treated as flow-through entities);

o

section 170 (adjustments for ultimate parent that is flow-through entity);

p

section 172 (ultimate parent subject to deductible dividend regime);

F26pa

in section 173 (covered taxes), subsection (1)(b);

q

section 177 (allocation of covered taxes: permanent establishments);

r

section 178 (reallocation of tax expense);

s

sections 179 and 180 (controlled foreign company tax regimes);

t

section 181 (distributions from other group members);

u

section 183 (qualifying foreign tax credits);

v

sections 189 to 192 (deemed distribution tax election);

w

sections 208 to 212 (restructuring of groups);

x

sections 213 to 215 (elections in relation to investment entities);

y

in section 216 (election where assets and liabilities adjusted to fair value), subsection (6);

z

sections 226 to 229 (joint venture groups, minority owned members and multi-parent groups).

273AF4References to Pillar Two rules

1

The provisions mentioned in subsection (2) apply to a qualifying entity, for domestic or domestic entity purposes, as if the references to the first accounting period for which the Pillar Two rules apply were to the first accounting period for which the entity is a qualifying entity.

2

Those provisions are—

a

section 185;

b

section 187;

d

sub-paragraph (4) of paragraph 2 of Schedule 16 (but see also section 276(c)(iii) which omits that paragraph in the case of a qualifying entity that is not a member of a group).

273BF4Effect of becoming subject to Pillar Two rules

1

This section applies where the Pillar Two rules did not apply to a qualifying entity for one or more accounting periods (each a “pre-Pillar Two period”).

2

Where—

a

the entity has a recaptured deferred tax liability arising as a result of section 184 (recaptured deferred tax liabilities),

b

the initial period, in relation to that liability, is a pre-Pillar Two period, and

c

the first accounting period in which the Pillar Two rules apply to the entity is earlier than the sixth accounting period after the initial period,

section 184(2) (recalculation in initial period taking account of recaptured deferred tax liability) does not apply in relation to that recaptured deferred tax liability.

3

Where an election under section 187 (election for losses to be treated as special loss deferred tax assets) applied to the entity in a pre-Pillar Two period—

a

the election ceases to have effect for the first accounting period in which the Pillar Two rules apply, and

b

subsection (2)(b) of section 187 does not apply to prevent the making of an election under section 187 that applies to the entity and that has effect for that period, but

c

no remaining amount of special loss deferred tax assets that arose in a pre-Pillar Two period may be used in that first accounting period or any subsequent accounting period.

4

Subsection (5) or (6) (as the case may be) applies where—

a

a deferred tax asset arises to the entity in a pre-Pillar Two period,

b

section 185(7)—

i

applies to that asset for the purposes of multinational top-up tax, or

ii

would, ignoring subsection (5) below, apply to that asset for those purposes, and

c

the asset is reflected in a collective additional amount for the purposes of domestic top-up tax.

5

Where—

a

an election has been made under section 205 (election to carry forward) in relation to the collective additional amount,

b

the subtraction required by subsection (2)(a) of that section has not occurred in a pre-Pillar Two period,

the amount to be subtracted as a result of that subsection is to be reduced by so much of that amount as reflects the asset.

6

Otherwise, section 185(7) does not apply to the asset for the purposes of multinational top-up tax to the extent it was reflected in a collective additional amount for the purposes domestic top-up tax.

273CF5Dividends from protected cell companies

1

This section applies to a dividend or other distribution made by a protected cell company that is received or accrued by—

a

a qualifying entity that is not a member of a group, or

b

a member of a group that has no members located outside of the United Kingdom.

2

A dividend or other distribution to which this section applies is to be treated as an excluded dividend (see section 141) for domestic purposes and domestic entity purposes.

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F5

S. 273C inserted (22.2.2024 with effect for accounting periods beginning on or after 31.12.2023 in accordance with Sch. 12 para. 1(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), Sch. 12 para. 46

F27274Application of section 262

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F27

S. 274 omitted (22.2.2024 with effect for accounting periods beginning on or after 31.12.2023 in accordance with Sch. 12 para. 1(2) of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), Sch. 12 para. 47(2)

275Application of Schedule 14

a

applies Schedule 14 for the purpose of the administration of domestic top-up tax;

b

makes related amendments.

276Application of transitional provision

The transitional provision in Schedule 16 applies in relation to domestic top-up tax as it applies in relation to multinational top-up tax as if—

a

references in that Schedule to a multinational group were to a group;

F28aa

where a qualifying member is a member of a group, for paragraph 3(2)(c) there were substituted—

c

the election has been made in respect of the territory for each preceding accounting period that commenced on or after 31 December 2023—

i

in which the Pillar Two rules would, ignoring any transitional safe harbour election, have applied to any member of the group in the territory, and

ii

in which any member of the group is a qualifying entity for the purposes of domestic top-up tax,

b

where a qualifying entity is a member of a group and all members of the group are located in the United Kingdom, the following provisions of that Schedule (which have no relevance in such a case) were omitted—

i

paragraph 3(2)(b) and (d), and 3(7)F30to (9) (country-by-country reporting);

ii

the words “that are used for preparation of the group’s country-by-country report” in paragraph 4(2);

iii

paragraph 4(5) (use of statements used for preparation of country-by-country report);

iv

in paragraph 9(2), the words from “ignoring” to the end.

c

where a qualifying entity is not a member of a group—

i

references in that Schedule to a member of a group (however framed and including references to multiple members) were to a qualifying entity;

ii

references in that Schedule (however framed) to the consolidated financial statements of the ultimate parent were to the qualifying financial statements of the entity;

iii

paragraph 2 were omitted;

F29iiia

for paragraph 3(2)(c) there were substituted—

c

the election has been made in respect of the territory for each preceding accounting period that commenced on or after 31 December 2023 in which the member was a qualifying entity for the purposes of domestic top-up tax,

iv

the provisions mentioned in paragraph (b)(i) to (iv) were omitted.

277Index of defined expressions

See the table in Schedule 17 for a list of terms defined for Part 3, but which also contains some terms defined for this Part, and the provisions that define or explain them.

278Domestic top-up tax to apply from 31 December 2023

This Part has effect in relation to accounting periods commencing on or after 31 December 2023.