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Finance Bill


Finance Bill
Part 4 — European company statute

52

 

62      

Groups

(1)   

After section 170(10) of TCGA 1992 (groups: merger, &c.) insert—

“(10A)   

Where the principal company of a group (Group 1)—

(a)   

becomes an SE by reason of being the acquiring company in the

formation of an SE by merger by acquisition (in accordance with

5

Articles 2(1), 17(2)(a) and 29(1) of Council Regulation (EC)

2157/2001 on the Statute for a European Company (Societas

Europaea)),

(b)   

becomes a subsidiary of a holding SE (formed in accordance

with Article 2(2) of that Regulation), or

10

(c)   

is transformed into an SE (in accordance with Article 2(4) of that

Regulation),

   

Group 1 and any group of which the SE is a member on formation shall

be regarded as the same; and the question whether or not a company

has ceased to be a member of a group shall be determined accordingly.”

15

(2)   

Subsection (1) shall have effect in relation to the formation of an SE (including

its formation by transformation) which occurs on or after 1st April 2005.

63      

Groups: intangible fixed assets

(1)   

After paragraph 51 of Schedule 29 to the FA 2002 (groups: continuity) insert—

“51A       

For the purposes of this Schedule where the principal company of a

20

group (Group 1)—

(a)   

becomes an SE by reason of being the acquiring company in

the formation of an SE by merger by acquisition (in

accordance with Articles 2(1), 17(2)(a) and 29(1) of Council

Regulation (EC) 2157/2001 on the Statute for a European

25

Company (Societas Europaea)),

(b)   

becomes a subsidiary of a holding SE (formed in accordance

with Article 2(2) of that Regulation), or

(c)   

is transformed into an SE (in accordance with Article 2(4) of

that Regulation),

30

           

Group 1 and any group of which the SE is a member on formation

shall be regarded as the same; and the question whether or not a

company has ceased to be a member of a group shall be determined

accordingly.”

(2)   

Subsection (1) shall have effect in relation to the formation of an SE (including

35

its formation by transformation) which occurs on or after 1st April 2005.

64      

Held-over gains

(1)   

In section 116(11) of TCGA 1992 (shares: reorganisation, &c.) after “140A,”

insert “140E,”.

(2)   

After section 140(6A) of that Act (postponement of charge on transfer of assets

40

to foreign company) insert—

“(6B)   

If, as part of the process of a merger forming an SE in circumstances in

which section 140E applies, securities are transferred to the SE by a

transferor company—

 
 

Finance Bill
Part 4 — European company statute

53

 

(a)   

the transfer to the SE shall be disregarded for the purposes of

subsection (4), and

(b)   

the SE shall be treated as if it were the transferor company in

relation to—

(i)   

any subsequent disposal of the securities, and

5

(ii)   

any subsequent disposal by the transferee company of

assets to which subsection (5) applies.”

(3)   

After section 154(2) of that Act (held over gains: depreciating assets) insert—

“(2A)   

If, as part of the process of a merger forming an SE in circumstances in

which section 140E applies, asset No 2 or shares in a company which

10

holds asset No 2 are transferred to the SE, the transfer to the SE shall be

disregarded for the purposes of subsection (2), and—

(a)   

if the SE holds asset No 2, it shall be treated for the purposes of

subsection (2), in relation to asset No 2, as if it were the claimant,

or

15

(b)   

if the SE holds shares in the company which holds asset No 2,

section 175 shall apply in relation to the group of which the SE

is a member as if it were the same group as any group of which

the claimant was a member before the formation of the SE.

(2B)   

If, as part of the process of a merger forming an SE in circumstances in

20

which section 140E applies, the SE becomes a member (whether or not

as the principal company) of a group of which the claimant is also a

member, for the purposes of subsection (2) section 175 shall apply in

relation to the trade carried on by the claimant as if the group of which

the SE is a member were the same group as the group of which the

25

claimant was a member before the formation of the SE.”

(4)   

After section 179(1A) of that Act (company ceasing to be member of group)

insert—

“(1B)   

Where, as part of the process of a merger to form an SE in circumstances

in which section 140E applies, a company which is a member of a group

30

(“Group 1”) ceases to exist and in consequence of that cessation—

(a)   

assets are transferred to the SE, or

(b)   

shares in one or more companies which were also members of

the group are transferred to the SE,

   

a company which has ceased to exist, or the shares in which have been

35

transferred to the SE, shall not be treated for the purposes of this section

as having left Group 1.

(1C)   

If subsection (1B) applies in relation to a company then for the purposes

of this section—

(a)   

the SE and a company which has ceased to exist in consequence

40

of the merger to form the SE shall be treated as the same entity,

and

(b)   

if the SE is a member of a group (“Group 2”) following its

formation (whether or not as the principal company of the

group) a company which was a member of Group 1 and became

45

a member of Group 2 in consequence of the formation of the SE

shall be treated, for the purposes of this section, as if Group 1

and Group 2 were the same.”

 
 

Finance Bill
Part 5 — Miscellaneous matters

54

 

(5)   

This section shall have effect in relation to the formation of an SE in accordance

with Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) 2157/2001 on the Statute for a

European Company (Societas Europaea) which occurs on or after 1st April

2005.

65      

Restrictions on set-off of pre-entry losses

5

(1)   

Schedule 7A to TCGA 1992 (restrictions on set-off of pre-entry losses) shall be

amended as follows.

(2)   

After paragraph 1(3A)(a) insert—

“(aa)   

in a case in which (whether or not paragraph (a)(i) also

applies)—

10

(i)   

the company is an SE resident in the United Kingdom,

and

(ii)   

the asset was transferred to the SE as part of the

process of its formation by the merger by acquisition

of two or more companies in accordance with Articles

15

2(1) and 17(2)(a) or (b) of Council Regulation (EC)

2157/2001 on the Statute for a European Company

(Societas Europaea),

   

are references to the asset becoming a chargeable asset in

relation to the SE or, if at the time of the formation of the SE

20

the asset was a chargeable asset in relation to a company

which ceased to exist as part of the process of the formation

of the SE, to the asset becoming a chargeable asset in relation

to that company;”.

(3)   

In the definition of “chargeable asset” in paragraph 1(3A) after “section 10B”

25

insert “(or, if the company is an SE, by reason of the asset having been

transferred to the SE on its formation)”.

(4)   

In paragraph 1(6)(a) after “subsection (10)” insert “or (10A)”.

(5)   

In paragraph 9(6) after “subsection (10)” insert “or (10A)”.

(6)   

This section shall have effect in relation to the formation of an SE which occurs

30

on or after 1st April 2005.

Part 5

Miscellaneous matters

66      

Vehicle excise duty: late renewal supplements

(1)   

VERA 1994 is amended as follows.

35

(2)   

Section 7A (supplement payable on late renewal of vehicle licence) is amended

as follows.

(3)   

In subsection (1) (cases in which regulations may provide for supplement to be

payable), for the words from “in prescribed cases” to the end substitute

“where—

40

(a)   

a vehicle has ceased to be appropriately covered,

(b)   

the vehicle is not, before the end of the relevant prescribed

period, appropriately covered as mentioned in paragraph (a) or

 
 

Finance Bill
Part 5 — Miscellaneous matters

55

 

(b) of subsection (1A) below with effect from the time

immediately after it so ceased or appropriately covered as

mentioned in paragraph (d) of that subsection, and

(c)   

the circumstances are not such as may be prescribed.”

(4)   

After that subsection insert—

5

“(1A)   

For the purposes of this section and section 7B a vehicle is appropriately

covered if (and only if)—

(a)   

a vehicle licence or trade licence is in force for or in respect of

the vehicle,

(b)   

the vehicle is an exempt vehicle in respect of which regulations

10

under this Act require a nil licence to be in force and a nil licence

is in force in respect of it,

(c)   

the vehicle is an exempt vehicle that is not one in respect of

which regulations under this Act require a nil licence to be in

force, or

15

(d)   

the vehicle is neither kept nor used on a public road and the

declarations and particulars required to be delivered by

regulations under section 22(1D) have been delivered in

relation to it in accordance with the regulations within the

immediately preceding period of 12 months.

20

(1B)   

Where a vehicle for or in respect of which a vehicle licence is in force is

transferred by the holder of the vehicle licence to another person, the

vehicle licence is to be treated for the purposes of subsection (1A) as no

longer in force unless it is delivered to the other person with the vehicle.

(1C)   

Where—

25

(a)   

an application is made for a vehicle licence for any period, and

(b)   

a temporary licence is issued pursuant to the application,

   

subsection (1B) does not apply to the licence applied for if, on a transfer

of the vehicle during the currency of the temporary licence, the

temporary licence is delivered with the vehicle to the transferee.

30

(1D)   

In subsection (1)(b) “the relevant prescribed period” means such period

beginning with the date on which the vehicle ceased to be

appropriately covered as is prescribed.”

(5)   

In subsection (2)(c) (amount of supplement variable according to length of

period between expiry of licence and payment of supplement or renewal of

35

licence), for sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) substitute—

“(i)   

the time of a notification (in accordance with regulations

under section 7B(1)) to, or in relation to, a person by

whom it is payable, and

(ii)   

the time at which it is paid.”

40

(6)   

In subsection (3)(b) (supplement not to cease to be payable by reason of taking

out of vehicle licence), for “a vehicle licence being taken out for the vehicle”

substitute “the vehicle being again appropriately covered”.

(7)   

Omit subsection (4)(a) (definition of “expiry of a vehicle licence”).

(8)   

In the heading, for “late renewal of vehicle licence” substitute “vehicle ceasing

45

to be appropriately covered”.

 
 

Finance Bill
Part 5 — Miscellaneous matters

56

 

(9)   

Section 7B (late-renewal supplements: further provisions) is amended as

follows.

(10)   

In subsection (1) (notification of person in whose name vehicle is registered)—

(a)   

for “on non-renewal of a vehicle licence for” substitute “in relation to”,

and

5

(b)   

for “failure to renew a vehicle licence” substitute “the vehicle ceasing to

be appropriately covered”.

(11)   

In the heading, for “Late-renewal” substitute “Section 7A”.

67      

Reorganisation of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland

(1)   

In this section “relevant transfer” means a transfer of property, rights or

10

liabilities where—

(a)   

the transfer is of property, rights or liabilities which—

(i)   

are specified or described in or determined in accordance with

a scheme, and

(ii)   

consist of or include relevant property, rights or liabilities,

15

(b)   

the transfer is from a Northern Ireland department or persons which

include a Northern Ireland department to a company or companies

specified in the scheme (“transferee company”), and

(c)   

the transfer is effected by or under an enactment which—

(i)   

is made after the coming into force of this section, and

20

(ii)   

relates to the provision of water or sewerage services in

Northern Ireland.

(2)   

In this section “relevant property, rights or liabilities” means property, rights

or liabilities connected with the provision of any water or sewerage services.

(3)   

The Treasury may by regulations make provision for or in connection with

25

varying the way in which a relevant tax or duty would, apart from the

regulations, have effect in relation to, or in connection with, any of the

following—

(a)   

anything done for the purpose of, or under or in consequence of, a

relevant transfer of relevant property, rights or liabilities from a

30

Northern Ireland department to a transferee company;

(b)   

any relevant property, rights or liabilities which are the subject of a

relevant transfer from a Northern Ireland department to a transferee

company;

(c)   

any relevant property, rights or liabilities of a transferee company.

35

(4)   

The provision that may be made by the regulations includes provision for or in

connection with any of the following—

(a)   

a tax provision not to apply or to apply with modifications in

prescribed cases or circumstances;

(b)   

anything done to have or not to have a specified consequence for the

40

purposes of a tax provision in prescribed cases or circumstances;

(c)   

any relevant property, rights or liabilities which are the subject of a

relevant transfer from a Northern Ireland department to a transferee

company to be treated in a specified way for the purposes of a tax

provision in prescribed cases or circumstances;

45

 
 

Finance Bill
Part 5 — Miscellaneous matters

57

 

(d)   

the withdrawal of relief (whether or not granted by virtue of the

regulations), and the charging of tax, in prescribed cases or

circumstances;

(e)   

requiring or enabling the Secretary of State, with the consent of the

Treasury, to determine or to specify the method to be used for

5

determining anything (including amounts or values, or times or

periods of time) which needs to be determined for the purposes of any

tax provision (whether or not modified by the regulations) as it applies

in relation to, or in connection with,—

(i)   

anything done for the purpose of, or under or in consequence

10

of, a relevant transfer of relevant property, rights or liabilities

from a Northern Ireland department to a transferee company,

or

(ii)   

any relevant property, rights or liabilities which are the subject

of a relevant transfer from a Northern Ireland department to a

15

transferee company.

(5)   

A provision of regulations made by virtue only of subsection (3)(c) (“a

subsection (3)(c) provision”) (whether or not also by virtue of subsection (4))

shall not have effect for an accounting period of a transferee company unless

the company is wholly owned by the Crown during the whole of that

20

accounting period.

(6)   

Regulations under this section may provide that, for the purposes of a

subsection (3)(c) provision, an accounting period of a transferee company shall

be taken to have ended on the company ceasing to be wholly owned by the

Crown.

25

(7)   

For the purposes of this section, a company shall be regarded as wholly owned

by the Crown at any time when each of the issued shares in the company is

held by, or by a nominee of,—

(a)   

the Treasury,

(b)   

the Secretary of State,

30

(c)   

a Northern Ireland department, or

(d)   

another company which is wholly owned by the Crown.

(8)   

In this section—

“enactment” includes a provision comprised in—

(a)   

Northern Ireland legislation, or

35

(b)   

an instrument made under an enactment;

“prescribed” means prescribed by or determined in accordance with

regulations under this section;

“relevant tax or duty” means income tax, corporation tax, capital gains

tax, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax;

40

“tax provision” means a provision of an enactment about a relevant tax or

duty.

(9)   

Any power to make regulations under this section is exercisable by statutory

instrument.

(10)   

A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section shall be

45

subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Commons.

(11)   

Any power to make regulations under this section includes power—

(a)   

to make different provision for different cases or circumstances;

 
 

Finance Bill
Part 5 — Miscellaneous matters

58

 

(b)   

to make incidental, supplemental, consequential or transitional

provision or savings.

68      

EU Mutual Assistance Directive: notifications

(1)   

This section applies where, in accordance with Article 8a of the Mutual

Assistance Directive, the competent authority of another member State (“the

5

applicant authority”) requests the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue

and Customs to notify an instrument to the person to whom the instrument is

addressed.

(2)   

The Commissioners must take the necessary measures to notify the instrument

to that person.

10

(3)   

The notification shall be given in accordance with the law applicable to

notification of similar instruments in the part of the United Kingdom in which

it is given.

(4)   

The Commissioners must—

(a)   

inform the applicant authority immediately of their response to the

15

request, and

(b)   

confirm to the applicant authority, as soon as is reasonably practicable,

the date on which the instrument was notified to the person concerned.

(5)   

The Commissioners may request additional information from the applicant

authority for the purpose of giving the notification.

20

(6)   

In this section “the Mutual Assistance Directive” means Council Directive 77/

799/EEC as amended (in particular by Council Directive 2004/56/EC).

(7)   

In this section references to the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and

Customs include, in relation to any time before 18th April 2005,—

(a)   

the Commissioners of Customs and Excise;

25

(b)   

the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

(8)   

In this section “instrument” means any instrument or decision which—

(a)   

emanates from the administrative authorities of the member State in

which the applicant authority is situated, and

(b)   

concerns the application in that member State of legislation on taxes

30

covered by the Mutual Assistance Directive.

(9)   

This section has effect in relation to requests received by the Commissioners for

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs on or after 1st January 2005.

69      

Abolition of statutory adjudicator for National Savings and Investments

(1)   

After the coming into force of this section, no further disputes shall be referred

35

to a person appointed under section 84 of the Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40)

(adjudicator for disputes under the National Savings Bank Act 1971 and the

National Debt Act 1972).

(2)   

This section comes into force on 1st September 2005.

 
 

 
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