House of Commons - Explanatory Note
Income Tax (Earnings And Pensions) Bill - continued          House of Commons

back to previous text

Clause 398: Valuation of benefits

1716.     This clause provides the rules for calculating the value of the benefit.

1717.     It derives from section 596A(4) and section 596B of ICTA.

1718.     The language in section 596A(4) and section 596B of ICTA is almost identical to that in two other provisions:

  • paragraph 12 of Schedule 11 to ICTA, which deals with the valuation of benefits paid on the termination of employment; and

  • paragraph 10(3) of Schedule 12 to Finance Act 2000, which deals with the provision of services through an intermediary.

1719.     Paragraph 12 of Schedule 11 to ICTA has been rewritten as clause 415 of this Bill. Paragraph 10(3) of Schedule 12 to Finance Act 2000 has been rewritten as clause 55 of this Bill. The rewrite of the three clauses reflects the similarities.

1720.     Subsection (1) gives the rule if the benefit is paid in cash. It derives from section 596A(4)(a) of ICTA.

1721.     Subsection (2) gives the rule if the benefit is not paid in cash. It derives from section 596A(4)(b) of ICTA.

1722.     Subsection (5) provides that references to the employer in the benefits code include the former employer. This subsection is needed because most employees will have retired before the benefit is paid and their employer will be a former employer.

1723.     Subsection (6) adapts the benefits code if the benefit provided is accommodation costing over £75,000 and the person receiving the benefit makes good an amount that exceeds the rental value. It overrides the rule in clause 106(3) that the taxpayer is allowed to deduct only the excess amount of rent paid. The taxpayer is allowed a deduction for the full amount of the excess.

1724.     In the benefits code the rules for calculating the value of living accommodation costing over £75,000 do not apply if the accommodation was first occupied before 31 March 1983. This rule has been rewritten as a saving; see paragraph 21 of Schedule 7 to this Bill. The rule does not apply to section 596B of ICTA. So paragraph 21 of Schedule 7 does not apply for the purposes of this Chapter.

Clause 399: Employment-related loans: interest treated as paid

1725.     This clause applies if the benefit provided is a loan at a rate of interest lower than the official rate.

1726.     It derives from section 596C of ICTA.

1727.     Tax is charged on the cash equivalent of the loan. This is calculated using the official interest rate. But the cash equivalent is not in fact interest. The clause treats the taxpayer as having paid interest. The taxpayer can then claim tax relief on the deemed payment if real interest would have qualified for relief. The language in section 596C of ICTA is almost identical to that in paragraph 13 of Schedule 11 to ICTA, which deals with benefits paid on the termination of employment. That provision has been rewritten as clause 416 of this Bill.

1728.     Subsection (4) prevents the notional interest being treated as income of the lender or as mortgage interest payable under deduction of tax in the hands of the payer.

Clause 400: Interpretation

1729.     This clause gives the meaning of various terms used in the Chapter.

1730.     It derives from definitions in Chapter 1 of Part 14 of ICTA.

1731.     Subsection (1) includes a clarification of the meaning of "employee" and the definitions of " administrator", "relevant benefits" and "ex-spouse".

1732.     Section 611AA of ICTA defines "administrator" as follows:

(1) In this Chapter references to the administrator, in relation to a retirement benefits scheme, are to the person who is, or the persons who are, for the time being the administrator of the scheme by virtue of the following provisions of this section.

(2) Subject to subsection (7) below, where—

(a) the scheme is a trust scheme, and

(b) at any time the trustee, or any of the trustees, is or are resident in the United Kingdom,

the administrator of the scheme at that time shall be the trustee or trustees of the scheme.

(3) Subject to subsection (7) below, where—

(a) the scheme is a non-trust scheme, and

(b) at any time the scheme sponsor, or any of the scheme sponsors, is or are resident in the United Kingdom,

the administrator of the scheme at that time shall be the scheme sponsor or scheme sponsors.

(4) At any time when the trustee of a trust scheme is not resident in the United Kingdom or (if there is more than one trustee) none of the trustees is so resident, the trustee or trustees shall ensure that there is a person, or there are persons—

(a) resident in the United Kingdom, and

(b) appointed by the trustee or trustees to be responsible for the discharge of all duties relating to the scheme which are imposed on the administrator under this Chapter.

(5) At any time when the scheme sponsor of a non-trust scheme is not resident in the United Kingdom or (if there is more than one scheme sponsor) none of the scheme sponsors is so resident, the scheme sponsor or scheme sponsors shall ensure that there is a person, or there are persons—

(a) resident in the United Kingdom, and

(b) appointed by the scheme sponsor or scheme sponsors to be responsible for the discharge of all duties relating to the scheme which are imposed on the administrator under this Chapter.

(6) Without prejudice to subsections (4) and (5) above—

(a) the trustee or trustees of a trust scheme, or

(b) the scheme sponsor or scheme sponsors of a non-trust scheme,

may at any time appoint a person who is, or persons who are, resident in the United Kingdom to be responsible for the discharge of all duties relating to the scheme which are imposed on the administrator under this Chapter.

(7) Where at any time there is or are a person or persons—

(a) for the time being appointed under subsection (4), (5) or (6) above as regards a scheme, and

(b) resident in the United Kingdom,

the administrator of the scheme at that time shall be that person or those persons (and no other person).

(8) Any appointment under subsection (4), (5) or (6) above—

(a) must be in writing, and

(b) if made after the time when the scheme is established, shall constitute an alteration of the scheme for the purposes of section 591B(2).

(9) In this section—

(a) references to a trust scheme are to a retirement benefits scheme established under a trust or trusts;

(b) references to the trustee or trustees, in relation to a trust scheme and to a particular time, are to the person who is the trustee, or the persons who are the trustees, of the scheme at that time;

(c) references to a non-trust scheme are to a retirement benefits scheme not established under a trust or trusts, and

(d) references to the scheme sponsor or scheme sponsors, in relation to a retirement benefits scheme and to a particular time, are references to any person who established the scheme and is in existence at that time or, if more than one, all such persons.

1733.     Section 612(1) of ICTA provides that "employee"

(a) in relation to a company, includes any officer of the company, any director of the company and any other person taking part in the management of the affairs of the company, and

(b) in relation to any employer, includes a person who is to be or has been an employee.

1734.     The definition of "ex-spouse" derives from section 659D of ICTA as inserted by section 79 and paragraph 17 of Schedule 10 to Finance Act 2000.

1735.     Section 612(1) of ICTA defines "relevant benefits" as follows:

'relevant benefits' means any pension, lump sum, gratuity or other like benefit given or to be given on retirement or on death, or by virtue of a pension sharing order or provision, or in anticipation of retirement, or, in connection with past service, after retirement or death, or to be given on or in anticipation of or in connection with any change in the nature of the service of the employee in question, except that it does not include any benefit which is to be afforded solely by reason of the disablement by accident of a person occurring during his service or of his death by accident so occurring and for no other reason.

Chapter 3: Payments and benefits on termination of employment etc.

Overview

1736.     This Chapter contains another of the free-standing Schedule E charges covered by paragraph 5 of section 19(1) of ICTA. It derives from section 148 and Schedule 11 of ICTA. The provisions apply to charge to tax payments made and benefits provided when an employment ends, or the terms of it are changed. As such payments and provision of benefits may continue for a period after the event, the charge to tax continues year by year as long as they continue.

Clause 401: Application of this Chapter

1737.     Subsection (1) derives from section 148(1) and paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 11 of ICTA. It sets out the circumstances in which payments and benefits come within the provisions of the Chapter. The reference to "relative" has been expanded to make it clear that only "blood relatives" are included.

1738.     "Personal representatives" is a defined term in clause 721. In paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 11 to ICTA it is not defined. This is a minor change to the law. See Change 159 in Annex 1.

1739.     Section 148(5) of ICTA has not been rewritten in this Chapter. This omission is explained in Note 42 in Annex 2.

1740.     Subsection (2) is a signpost to the exceptions which may apply.

1741.     Subsection (3) prevents a double charge to tax in cases where there may be some doubt as to whether a benefit or payment is within this Chapter or is within Part 2 or Part 3 of this Bill. It also ensures that anything which is not chargeable under the provisions in those Parts will be within the provisions of this Chapter if there is a cessation of or change to the employment. It derives from part of the end-words of section 148(1) of ICTA.

1742.     Subsection (4) derives from section 148(6) and paragraph 2(2) of Schedule to ICTA. It provides that payments to people other than the employee may be within the scope of the Chapter. It also provides that throughout the provisions which this Chapter uses to determine what and how much is chargeable, any references to employee and employer include the person whose employment has terminated. This means that those provisions do not need to refer to former employees and former employers.

Clause 402: Meaning of "benefit"

1743.     This clause derives from section 148(2), (2A) and (3) of ICTA and includes a minor change to the law. See Change 107 in Annex 1.

1744.     Subsection (1) explains which benefits are within the scope of this Chapter. Subsection (1)(a) defines them as any benefits received by the employee or former employee which are received as set out in subsection (1) and which, if received as an employee for performing the duties of the employment, would be taxable earnings from the employment. This will include any benefit which would come within the definition of earnings in clause 62, and any benefit for which an amount is treated as earnings by a provision in the benefits code. Subsection (1)(b) includes those benefits which would be within (1)(a) but to which an "earnings-only exemption" applies.

1745.     "Earnings-only exemption" is defined in clause 227. Part 4 of this Bill contains most of those exemptions. Clause 227(4) lists exemptions that are contained in Part 7 and apply in respect of general earnings. Some of these may be "earnings-only" exemptions. Clause 227(1) and (2) may be used to identify which are "earnings-only" exemptions and which are "employment income" exemptions.

1746.     Subsection (1)(b) means that the only benefits that do not come within the scope of this Chapter are those which are subject to an exemption other than an "earnings-only exemption". These wider exemptions are labelled "employment income exemptions", defined in clause 227, and do exempt payments and benefits from any charge under this Chapter, provided any conditions for the exemption to apply are met.

1747.     There are some benefits to which an earnings-only exemption applies, but which are not to be chargeable in this Chapter in the case of a termination of the employment. These are listed in subsection (2).

1748.     Subsection (3) identifies a benefit which is exempt from the scope of this Chapter in the case of a change in the terms or remuneration of the employment. This prevents the exempted removal benefits falling into this Chapter.

1749.     Not all the benefits listed in section 148(2A) of ICTA are included in subsections (2) and (3) of this clause. This is because there is no need to include those benefits that are now subject to "employment income" exemptions which operate to exempt them from all charges under the employment income Parts.

Clause 403: Charge on payment or other benefit

1750.     This clause contains the charge to tax on termination payments and benefits where they exceed the £30,000 threshold.

1751.     Subsections (1) and (4) set out the basis of the charge, the threshold and when amounts are to be taken as exceeding it. These provisions derive from section 148(1) and (3) and paragraphs 7(2) and 14(1) of Schedule 11 to ICTA. Amounts brought into charge by virtue of this clause come within "specific employment income" in clause 7(4) of this Bill. Clause 6(3) provides that the rules in Chapters 4 and 5 of Part 2 do not apply to specific employment income. This derives from section 19(1)5 of ICTA and the case of Nichols v Gibson CA 1996 at 68 TC 611.

1752.     Subsections (2) and (3) set out the rules for the timing of the charge to tax, and the time when benefits are treated as received. The rules are similar to the receipts basis for earnings. In cases where payments are made over a period of time, or benefits are provided for some time after the employment has terminated, once the £30,000 threshold has been exceeded, there will be continuing liability as long as payments continue to be made or benefits provided. These provisions derive from section 148(3) and (4) of ICTA.

1753.     Subsections (5) and (6) make clear who is liable for a tax charge arising by virtue of this Chapter, both in the ordinary course of events and if a payment or benefit is received after the death of the employee or former employee (covered by subsection (5), which derives from paragraph 14(2) of Schedule 11 to ICTA). "Personal representatives" is defined in clause 721. See Change 159 in Annex 1.

Clause 404: How the £30,000 threshold applies

1754.     This clause deals with two aspects of the £30,000 threshold. The first concerns the payments and other benefits that are to be aggregated. The second concerns the way the £30,000 is to be allocated between payments and benefits received at different times. Subsections (1) to (3) deal with the first aspect, and derive from section 148(1) and (6) and paragraphs 7, 8 and 16 of Schedule 11 to ICTA. Subsections (4) and (5) relate to the second aspect and derive from section 148(1) and paragraph 7 of Schedule 11 to ICTA.

1755.     Subsection (1)(c) sets out the circumstances in which the payments and benefits from more than one employer are aggregated. Only one sum of £30,000 is available in respect of an employment, different employments with the same employer and employments with employers who are associated.

1756.     Subsection (2) explains when employers are "associated" for this purpose. Subsection (3)(a) treats the successors to the employer or the person looked at to determine control as if they were the original employer or person. Successors are not defined anywhere in the Tax Acts so the normal meaning applies, being someone who takes the place of another person to perform a like role and duties. Subsection (3)(b) defines the time at which one has to consider whether employers are associated as the "termination or change date".

1757.     Subsections (4) and (5) explain how the £30,000 threshold is attributed to the payments and benefits in the order in which they are received.

Clause 405: Exception for certain payments exempted when received as earnings.

1758.     This clause provides that certain payments which would otherwise fall within this Chapter are not to be included. It derives from section 148(2A) of ICTA.

1759.     Subsection (1) sets out the exemption which is to be taken to apply for this Chapter in the case of a termination of employment.

1760.     Subsection (2) sets out the exemption which is to be taken to apply for this Chapter in the case of a change in the terms or remuneration of the employment.

1761.     Not all the payments listed in section 148(2A) of ICTA are included in subsections (2) of this clause. This is because there is no need to include those benefits that are now subject to "employment income" exemptions which operate to exempt them from all charges under the employment income Parts.

Clause 406: Exception for death or disability payments and benefits

1762.     This clause provides an exception where the payment or benefit is due to death, injury or disability. It derives from paragraph 3 of Schedule 11 to ICTA.

Clause 407: Exception for payments and benefits under tax-exempt pension schemes

1763.     This clause provides an exception where the payment is made or benefit provided through certain pension schemes and is due to a change in or termination of employment owing to ill-health. This exception derives from paragraph 4 of Schedule 11 to ICTA.

1764.     The payment or benefit referred to in subsection (1)(b) is a commutation calculated by reference to past service.

Clause 408: Exception for contributions to tax-exempt pension schemes

1765.     This clause derives from Inland Revenue Statement of Practice 2/1981, which excepts special contributions to approved schemes and payments for the purchase of an annuity under an approved transaction.

1766.     Subsection (1) sets out the type of contribution which is excepted.

1767.     Subsection (2) provides signposts to the definitions of terms used.

1768.     This is a minor change to the law. See Change 108 in Annex 1.

Clause 409: Exception for payments and benefits in respect of employee liabilities and indemnity insurance

1769.     This clause covers the treatment of a payment or benefit received by an employee in connection with a liability arising after the employee's employment has ceased and its interaction with this Chapter. The payments or benefits in subsection (1) are not within this Chapter if the conditions in subsections (3) - (5) are met. The clause derives from section 92(10) of FA 1995.

Clause 410: Exception for payments and benefits in respect of employee liabilities and indemnity insurance: individual deceased

1770.     This clause covers the treatment of a similar payment or benefit to that described in respect of clause 409 where the employee has died. It does not matter whether the former employee's death gave rise to the cessation of the former employment or simply occurred after that cessation. The payment is specifically excluded from any charge to tax on the personal representatives of the deceased former employee arising by virtue of this Chapter. The clause derives from section 92(10) of FA 1995.

1771.     "Personal representatives" is defined in clause 721. See Change 159 in Annex 1.

Clause 411: Exception for payments and benefits for forces

1772.     This clause provides an exception for certain payments and benefits for members of the armed forces. It derives from paragraph 5 of Schedule 11 to ICTA.

Clause 412: Exception for payments and benefits provided by foreign governments etc.

1773.     This clause provides an exception which is limited to those employed by foreign governments and to particular circumstances. It derives from paragraph 6 of Schedule 11 to ICTA.

Clause 413: Exception in certain cases of foreign service

1774.     This clause provides an exception for payments made in certain cases of "foreign service". The exception depends on the length of the foreign service up to the date of the termination of, or change in, employment, compared with the whole period of service.

1775.     As the period involved exceeds 20 years it is necessary to define "foreign service" in a number of different ways because of the changes in the Schedule E charge over that period. This clause derives from paragraphs 9 and 10 of Schedule 11 to ICTA.

1776.     Subsection (3) deals with the period in which this Bill will have effect.

1777.     Subsection (4) deals with the period in which the "foreign earnings deduction" (in sections 192A or 193(1) of ICTA) is applicable.

1778.     Subsection (6) deals with the period before the foreign earnings deduction became available and before the Cases of Schedule E were introduced. This ensures that all periods of overseas service are included.

Clause 414: Reduction in other cases of foreign service

1779.     The exception for foreign service in clause 413 may not apply because the length of service is insufficient. If so, the amount charged to tax may be reduced under this clause, which derives from paragraphs 9 and 11 of Schedule 11 to ICTA. The amount of the reduction depends on the length of foreign service compared with the total length of service.

1780.     The reduction is applied to the amount which remains above the £30,000 threshold.

1781.     There is, however, a limitation to the reduction. This is intended to ensure that where tax is deducted from a payment - for example a gift aid payment - enough tax remains in charge to satisfy the tax on the payment. Subsection (4) provides that any personal reliefs and the reduction added together must not bring the income tax payable below an amount equal to the tax on the gift aid payment.

1782.     This is a change from the limit in ICTA that would "reduce the amount of income on which the taxable person is chargeable below the amount of income tax which the taxable person is entitled" to charge or deduct. It is a minor change to the law. See Change 109 in Annex 1.

Clause 415: Valuation of benefits

1783.     This clause sets out how to value the benefits chargeable under this Chapter. It derives from paragraph 12 of Schedule 11 to ICTA. It applies the valuation rules of the benefits code as set out in Chapters 2 to 10 of Part 3 of this Bill.

1784.     Subsection (1) provides the rule for arriving at the amount of cash benefits.

1785.     Subsection (2) provides the same rule as that in clause 64 (relationship between earnings and benefits code). The amount of any earnings is considered first, and the cash equivalent under the benefits code "tops up" the earnings with the excess. This link to the benefits code is a minor change to the law. See Change 110 in Annex 1. The benefits are considered on the basis of what would be chargeable if clause 15 applied.

1786.     Subsections (3) to (7) of this clause modify the valuation provisions used in the benefits code so that they can apply properly to work out the valuation of benefits brought into the charge to tax under this Chapter. These provisions derive from section 596B of ICTA.

1787.     Subsection (4) allows the valuation of the cash equivalent to be made by reference to the person chargeable or the recipient of the benefit.

1788.     Subsection (5) disapplies, for valuation purposes, clause 401(4) which treats the employee as the recipient in certain circumstances.

1789.     Subsection (7) overrides the limitation in clause 106 which restricts the deduction to the rent paid, and so allows a deduction of the whole of the amount made good for the purposes of this Chapter.

1790.     One of the modifications to the benefit of provided living accommodation is that section 146(8) of ICTA does not apply for the purposes of this Chapter. This refers to accommodation first occupied by the employer before 31 March 1983. In view of the length of time since that date, the provision has been removed from clause 107. The disapplication of it has also been removed from this clause. It is in paragraph 21(2) of Schedule 7 to this Bill

 
previous Section contents continue
 
House of Commons home page Houses of Parliament home page House of Lords home page search Page enquiries index

© Parliamentary copyright 2002
Prepared: 5 December 2002