Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988

Type Public General Act
Publication 1988-02-09
Last updated 2022-07-14
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API
  • (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (5) below, the benefit of a loan is obtained by reason of a person’s employment if, in relation to that person, it is of a class described in sub-paragraphs (2), (3) or (4) below.
  • (2) A loan made by his employer.
  • (3) A loan made by a company—
  • (a) over which his employer had control;
  • (b) by which his employer (being a company) was controlled; or
  • (c) which was controlled by a person by whom his employer (being a company) was controlled.
  • (4) A loan made in any case where—
  • (a) his employer was, or had control over, or was controlled by, a close company; and
  • (b) the loan was made by a person having a material interest in that close company or, that company being controlled by another company, in that other company.
  • (5) Sub-paragraphs (2) and (4) above do not apply to a loan made by . . . an individual . . . in the normal course of his domestic, family or personal relationships.
2

In paragraph 1 above—

  • (a) references to a loan being made by any person include references to his assuming the rights and liabilities of the person who originally made the loan and to his arranging, guaranteeing or in any way facilitating the continuation of a loan already in existence;
  • (b) “employer” includes a prospective employer; and
  • (c) “company”, except in the expression “close company”, includes a partnership.

PART II — CALCULATION OF CASH EQUIVALENT OF LOAN BENEFIT

General

3
  • (1) The cash equivalent for any year of the benefit obtained from a loan is—
  • (a) the amount of interest (calculated in accordance with paragraph 4 or 5 below) which would have been payable for that year had interest at the official rate been payable on the loan, less
  • (b) the amount of interest actually paid on the loan for that year.

and, in a case where there are two or more loans, the aggregate of the cash equivalents (if any) of the benefit of each of those loans shall be treated for the purposes of section 160 as the cash equivalent of the benefit of all of them.

  • (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Normal method of calculation (averaging)

4
  • (1) In the absence of a requirement or election that paragraph 5 below should apply, the amount of interest at the official rate payable on a loan for any year (“the relevant year”) shall be ascertained as follows—
  • (a) take half the aggregate of—
  • (i) the maximum amount of the loan outstanding on 5th April preceding the relevant year or, if it was made in that year, on the date on which it was made, and
  • (ii) the maximum amount of the loan outstanding on 5th April in the relevant year or, if the loan was discharged in that year, the date of discharge;
  • (b) multiply that figure by the number of whole months during which the loan was outstanding in that year, and divide by 12;
  • (c) multiply the result by the official rate of interest in force during the period when the loan was outstanding in that year or, if the official rate changed during that period, the average rate during that period ascertained by reference to the number of days in the period and the number of days for which each rate was in force.

For the purposes of this paragraph, months begin on the sixth day of the calendar month.

  • (2) Where an employment-related loan is replaced, directly or indirectly—
  • (a) by a further employment-related loan, or
  • (b) by a non-employment-related loan which in turn is, in the same year of assessment or within 40 days thereafter, replaced, directly or indirectly, by a further employment-related loan,

sub-paragraph (1) above applies as if the replacement loan or, as the case may be, each of the replacement loans were the same loan as the first-mentioned employment-related loan.

  • (3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2) above “employment-related loan” means a loan the benefit of which is obtained by reason of a person’s employment (and “non-employment-related loan” shall be construed accordingly).
  • (4) The references in sub-paragraph (2) above to a further employment-related loan are to an employment-related loan the benefit of which is obtained by reason of—
  • (a) the same or other employment with the person who is the employer in relation to the first-mentioned employment-related loan, or
  • (b) employment with a person who is connected (within the meaning of section 839) with that employer.

Election for alternative method of calculation

5
  • (1) For any year of assessment (“the relevant year”) the alternative method of calculation set out in this paragraph applies if—
  • (a) the inspector so requires, by notice given to the employee, at a time allowed by sub-paragraph (2) below; or
  • (b) the employee so elects, by notice given to the inspector at such a time.
  • (2) A notice containing a requirement or election for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) above is allowed to be given at any time before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the 31st January next following the relevant year.
  • (3) The alternative method of calculating the amount of interest at the official rate payable on a loan for the relevant year is as follows—
  • (a) take each period in the relevant year during which the official rate of interest remains the same;
  • (b) for each such period take for each day in the period the maximum amount outstanding of the loan on that day, and add those amounts together;
  • (c) multiply that sum by the official rate in force during the period divided by 365; and
  • (d) add together the resulting figures for each period in the relevant year.

PART III — . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6
7

Section 160(1) does not apply to a loan in any year—

  • (a) for which interest is paid on the loan and the whole of that interest is eligible for relief, or
  • (b) for which no interest is paid on the loan but had interest been paid on it at the official rate the whole of that interest would have been eligible for relief.
8

Where for any year interest is paid on a loan and part of that interest is eligible for relief, the calculation of the cash equivalent under Part II of this Schedule is modified as follows—

  • (a) where paragraph 4 applies, the maximum amounts referred to in sub-paragraph (a)(i) and (ii) of that paragraph shall be proportionately reduced by reference to the proportion which so much of that interest paid for that year as is not eligible for relief bears to the whole of the interest so paid;
  • (b) where paragraph 5 applies, the maximum amounts referred to in sub-paragraph (3)(b) of that paragraph shall be proportionately reduced by reference to the proportion which so much of the interest paid on each such amount for the day in question as is not eligible for relief bears to the whole of the interest so paid; and
  • (c) the amount of interest eligible for relief shall be left out of account in ascertaining for the purposes of paragraph 3(1)(b) above the amount of interest paid for that year.
9
  • (1) Where for any year—
  • (a) no interest is paid on a loan, but
  • (b) had interest been paid on it at the official rate part of that interest would have been eligible for relief,

then the calculation of the cash equivalent under Part II of this Schedule shall be modified as provided by paragraph 8(a) or (b) above with the substitution for the references to the amounts of interest paid or not eligible for relief of references to the amounts (ascertained in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph) which would have been paid or would not have been eligible for relief.

  • (2) For the purposes of paragraph 8(a) above as applied by this paragraph, the whole amount of interest at the official rate which would have been paid for any year shall be taken to be the amount payable for that year calculated in accordance with paragraph 4 above (disregarding paragraph 8); and the amount of that interest which would not have been eligible for relief shall be ascertained—
  • (a) by finding that amount on the assumption that the amount referred to in paragraph 4(a)(i) was the amount outstanding for the whole year;
  • (b) by finding that amount on the assumption that the amount referred to in paragraph 4(a)(ii) was the amount outstanding for the whole year; and
  • (c) by adding together the resulting figures and dividing by 2.
  • (3) For the purposes of paragraph 8(b) above as applied by this paragraph, the amount of interest which would have been paid and the amount of it which would not have been eligible for relief shall be ascertained on the assumption that interest at the official rate was paid daily throughout the year on the maximum amount outstanding on each day.
10
  • (1) If—
  • (a) a person has a loan on which no interest is paid and of which the benefit was obtained by reason of his or any other person’s employment (“the employer’s loan”); and
  • (b) that person or his wife or her husband has another loan which was made later than, or at the same time as, the employer’s loan and interest on which is, in whole or in part, eligible for relief;

then, for the purposes of determining whether, had interest been paid on the employer’s loan at the official rate, the whole or any part of that interest would have been eligible for relief, sections . . . 355(1) to (4), 356 to 358 and 360 to 365 shall have effect as if the employer’s loan were made after any other loan which falls within paragraph (b) above and which, in the context of the application of sections 354(1) to (4) and 355(5), relates to the same land, caravan or house boat as does the employer’s loan.

  • (2) Where such a loan is made as is mentioned in paragraph (b) of sub-paragraph (1) above, sections . . . 355(1) to (4), 356 to 358 and 360 to 365 have effect in accordance with that sub-paragraph with respect to so much of the interest referred to therein as would be paid on and after the day on which the loan is made; and paragraph 9(3) above shall have effect for the purpose of determining how much of that interest would have been eligible for relief.
11
  • (1) Where in any year a person has, alone or together with his wife or her husband, two or more loans—
  • (a) on which no interest is paid, and
  • (b) which, assuming the application of sections 354(1) to (4) and 355(5), would relate, in the context of those sections, to the same land, caravan or house boat,

then, for the purpose of determining whether, had interest been paid on any of those loans, it would, in whole or in part, have been eligible for relief, it shall be assumed in the first instance that those loans constitute a single loan (equal in amount to the aggregate of the actual loans) and to the extent that, had interest been paid on that single loan, it would have been eligible for relief, the relief shall then be attributed first to the earliest of the actual loans and, if all the relief is not thereby attributed, the balance shall be attributed to the next in time and so on with any of the balance remaining until the relief is wholly attributed.

  • (2) Nothing in sub-paragraph (1) above affects the operation of paragraph 10 above in relation to the priority which it gives to a loan falling within sub-paragraph (1)(b) of that paragraph, but any question which of two or more loans falling within sub-paragraph (1) above is the earlier shall be determined without regard to that paragraph.
12

References in paragraphs 10 and 11 above to a husband or wife do not include references to a separated husband or wife.

SCHEDULE 8

Form

1

The terms of the scheme must be set out in writing.

Employer and employment unit

2

The scheme must identify the scheme employer.

3

If the scheme employer does not pay the emoluments of all the employees to whom the scheme relates, the scheme must identify each of the persons who pays the emoluments of any of those employees.

4
  • (1) The scheme must identify the undertaking to which the scheme relates and that undertaking must be one which is carried on with a view to profit.
  • (2) The references in sub-paragraph (1) above to an undertaking include references to part of an undertaking; and the provisions of a scheme identifying part of an undertaking must do so in such a way as to distinguish it, otherwise than by name only, from other parts of the undertaking.

Employees

5

The scheme must contain provisions by reference to which the employees to whom the scheme relates may be identified.

6

The scheme must contain provisions ensuring that no payments are made under it by reference to a profit period if the employees to whom the scheme relates constitute less than 80 per cent. of all the employees in the employment unit at the beginning of that profit period, but for this purpose any person who is at that time within paragraph 7 or 8 below shall not be counted.

7
  • (1) The scheme must contain provisions ensuring that no payments are made under it to any person who is employed in the employment unit by a company and who has . . . a material interest in the company.
  • (2) For the purposes of this paragraph a person shall be treated as having a material interest in a company if he, either on his own or with one or more associates,or if any associate of his with or without such other associates,—
  • (a) is the beneficial owner of, or able, directly or through the medium ofother companies, or by any other indirect means to control, more than 25 percent. of the ordinary share capital of the company, or
  • (b) in the case of a close company, possesses, or is entitled to acquire, such rights as would, in the event of the winding-up of the company or in any other circumstances, give an entitlement to receive more than 25 per cent. of the assets which would then be available for distribution among the participators.
  • (3) In this paragraph—
  • "associate" has the same meaning as in section 417(3) and (4) , but subject to sub-paragraph (4) below; . . .
  • "control" has the meaning given by section 840; and
  • “participator” has the meaning given by section 417(1)

and the definition of "control" in section 840 applies (with the necessary modifications) in relation to a company which is an unincorporated association as it applies in relation to one that is not.

  • (4) For the purposes of this paragraph, where an employee of a company has an interest in shares or obligations of the company as a beneficiary of an employee benefit trust, the trustees shall not be regarded as associates of his by reason only of that interest unless sub-paragraph (8) below applies in relation to him.
  • (5) A trust is an employee benefit trust for the purposes of this paragraph if—
  • (a) all or most of the employees of the company are eligible to benefit under it, and
  • (b) none of the property subject to it has been disposed of on or after 14th March 1989 (whether by sale, loan or otherwise) except in the ordinary course of management of the trust or in accordance with sub-paragraph (6) below.
  • (6) Property is disposed of in accordance with this sub-paragraph if—
  • (a) it is applied for the benefit of—
  • (i) individual employees or former employees of the company,
  • (ii) spouses, former spouses, widows or widowers of employees or former employees of the company,
  • (iii) relatives, or spouses of relatives, of persons within sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) above, or
  • (iv) dependants of persons within sub-paragraph (i) above,
  • (b) it is applied for charitable purposes, or
  • (c) it is transferred to the trustees of an approved profit sharing scheme (within the meaning of section 187), of another employee benefit trust, or of a qualifying employee share ownership trust (within the meaning of Schedule 5 to the Finance Act 1989),

and the property applied or transferred consists of any of the ordinary share capital of the company or of money paid outright.

  • (7) In sub-paragraph (6)(a)(iii) above “relative” means parent or remoter forebear, child or remoter issue, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece.
  • (8) This sub-paragraph applies in relation to an employee if at any time on or after 14th March 1989—
  • (a) the employee, either on his own or with any one or more of his associates,or
  • (b) any associate of his, with or without other such associates,

has been the beneficial owner of, or able (directly or through the medium of other companies or by any other indirect means) to control, more than 25per cent. of the ordinary share capital of the company.

  • (9) Where—
  • (a) on or after 14th March 1989 an employee of a company, or an associate of his, receives a payment (“the relevant payment”) from the trustees of anemployee benefit trust, and
  • (b) at any time during the period of three years ending with the day on whichthe relevant payment is received, the property subject to the trust consists of or includes any part of the ordinary share capital of the company,

the employee or associate shall be treated for the purposes of sub-paragraph (8) above as if he were the beneficial owner of the appropriate percentage of the ordinary share capital of the company on the day on which the relevant payment is received (in addition to any percentage of that share capital of which he is actually the beneficial owner on that day).

  • (10) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (9) above, the appropriate percentage is—

$$Ax100B$where—$

  • A is the smaller of—(a) the aggregate of the relevant payment and any other payments received by the employee or associates of his from the trustees of the trust during the period of 12 months ending with the day on which the relevant payment is received, and(b) the aggregate of the distributions made to the trustees of the trust by the company in respect of its ordinary share capital during the period of three years ending with the day on which the relevant payment is received; and
  • B is the aggregate of—(a) any distributions made by the company in respect of its ordinary share capital during the period of 12 months ending with the day on which the relevant payment is received,(b) any distributions so made during the period of 12 months immediately preceding that mentioned in paragraph (a) above, and(c) any distributions so made during the period of 12 months immediately preceding that mentioned in paragraph (b) above,
  • (11) Where—
  • (a) an employee or associate is treated by sub-paragraph (9) above as if he were the beneficial owner of a percentage of the ordinary share capital of a company by reason of receiving the relevant payment from the trustees of a trust, and
  • (b) that employee, or an associate of his, has, during the period of 12 months ending with the day on which the relevant payment is received, received one or more payments from trustees of another employee benefit trust or trusts satisfying the requirement in paragraph (b) of sub-paragraph (9) above,

that sub-paragraph shall have effect in relation to the employee or associate mentioned in paragraph (a) above as if he had received the payment from the trustees of the trust or of each of the trusts mentioned in paragraph (b) above (or where more than one payment has been received from the trustees of a trust, the last of the payments) on the day on which the relevant paymentis received.

  • (12) In sub-paragraphs (8) to (11) above “associate”, in relation to an employee, does not include the trustees of an employee benefit trust by reason only that the employee has an interest in shares or obligations of the trust.
8

The persons within this paragraph are any of the following employees who are excluded by the scheme from receiving any payment of profit-related pay—

  • (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (b) those who have not been employed by a relevant employer for a minimum period (of not more than three years) specified in the scheme;

and for this purpose “relevant employer” means the scheme employer or any person who pays the emoluments of any of the employees to whom the scheme relates.

Profit periods

9

The scheme must identify the accounting period or periods by reference to which any profit-related pay is to be calculated.

10
  • (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) below, any such accounting period must be a period of 12 months.
  • (2) If the scheme is a replacement scheme, the first of two profit periods may be a period of less than 12 months, but the scheme may not provide for more than two profit periods.
  • (3) The scheme may make provision for a profit period to be abbreviated where registration of the scheme is cancelled with effect from a day after the beginning of the period; and a scheme making such provision may exclude the operation of all or any of the provisions of paragraph 13(4) and (5) or (as the case may be) paragraph 14(3)(b), (4) and (5) below in relation to the determination of the distributable pool for an abbreviated period.
  • (4) For the purposes of this paragraph, a scheme is a replacement scheme if—
  • (a) it succeeds another scheme (or two or more other schemes) registration of which was cancelled under section 178(1)(a) on the ground of a change in the employment unit or in the circumstances relating to the scheme; and
  • (b) that change occurred not more than three months before the beginning of the first (or only) profit period of the new scheme, and the Board are satisfied that it was not brought about with a view to the registration of the new scheme or in circumstances satisfying the conditions in section 177(1)(a), (b) and (c); and
  • (c) not less than one half of the employees to whom the new scheme relates were employees to whom the previous scheme (or any of the previous schemes) related at the time of that change.

Distributable pool

11

The scheme must contain provisions by reference to which the aggregate sum that may be paid to employees in respect of a profit period (“the distributable pool”) may be determined.

12

Except where the scheme is a replacement scheme (within the meaning of paragraph 10 above), the provisions for the determination of the distributable pool must employ either the method specified in paragraph 13 below (“method A”) or the method specified in paragraph 14 below (“method B”).

13
  • (1) Method A is that the distributable pool is equal to a,fixed percentage of the profits of the employment unit in the profit period.
  • (1A) That percentage must be a fixed percentage specified in the scheme and, if the scheme relates to more than one period, must be the same for each period.
  • (2) That percentage must be such that, on the assumption as to profits mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)below, it will produce a distributable pool equal to not less than 5per cent. of the standard pay of the employment unit.
  • (3) The assumption referred to in sub-paragraph (2)above is that the profits in the profit period are the same as those in a base year specified in the scheme; and that base year must be a period of 12months ending at a time within the period of two years immediately preceding the profit period, or the first of the profit periods, to which the scheme relates.
  • (4) Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (1) above, a scheme employing method A may include provision for disregarding profits in the profit period so far as they exceed 160 per cent. (or such greater percentage as may be specified in the scheme) of—
  • (a) if the profit period is the first or only period to which the scheme relates, the profits for a base year specified in the scheme;
  • (b) in any other case, the profits for the previous profit period.
  • (5) Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (1) above, a scheme employing method A may include provision to the effect that there shall be no distributable pool if the profits in the profit period are less than an amount specified in, or ascertainable by reference to, the scheme; but that amount must not exceed the profits for a base year specified in the scheme.
  • (6) The base year referred to in sub-paragraph (4)(a) and sub-paragraph (5) above must be a period of 12 months ending at a time within the period of two years immediately preceding the profit period, or the first of the profit period, to which the scheme relates
  • (7) Any provision included in a scheme by virtue of sub-paragraph (4) or (5) above may take effect either from the scheme’s first profit period or from any later profit determined in accordance with the scheme.
14
  • (1) Method B is that the distributable pool is—
  • (a) if the profit period is the first or only profit period to which the scheme relates, a percentage of a notional pool of an amount specified in the scheme;
  • (b) in any other case, a percentage of the distributable pool for the previous profit period.
  • (2) The amount of the notional pool referred to in sub-paragraph (1)above must not be less than 5per cent. of the standard pay of the employment unit.
  • (3) The percentage referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above must be either—
  • (a) that arrived at by expressing the profits in the profit period as a percentage of the profits in the preceding period of 12 months; or
  • (b) the percentage mentioned in paragraph (a) above reduced (if it is more than 100) or increased (if it is less than 100) by a specified fraction of the difference between it and 100;

and the reference in paragraph (b) above to a specified fraction is a reference to a fraction of not more than one half specified in the scheme.

  • (4) Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (1) above, a scheme employing method B may include provision for disregarding profits in the profit period so far as they exceed 160 per cent. (or such greater percentage as may be specified in the scheme) of the profits in the preceding period of 12 months.
  • (5) Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (1) above, a scheme employing method B may include provision to the effect that there shall be no distributable pool if the profits in the profit period are less than an amountspecified in, or ascertainable by reference to, the scheme; but that amount must not exceed the profits in the period of 12 months immediately preceding the first or only profit period to which the scheme relates.
  • (6) Where by virtue of a provision of the kind described in sub-paragraph (5) above there is no distributable pool for a profit period, any comparison required in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(b) to be made with the distributable pool for that period shall be made with what would have been the pool but for sub-paragraph (5).
  • (7) In this paragraph “standard pay of the employment unit” has the same meaning as it has in paragraph 13above.
  • (8) Any provision included in a scheme by virtue of sub-paragraph (3)(b), (4) or (5) above may take effect either from the scheme’s first profit period or from any later profit period determined in accordance with the scheme.
15

If the scheme is a replacement scheme (within the meaning of paragraph 10 above), it must provide for the distributable pool for a profit period to be equal to a specified percentage of the profits for the period.

Payment from distributable pool etc.

16

The scheme must provide for the whole of the distributable pool to be paid to employees in the employment unit.

17

The scheme must make provision as to when payments will be made to employees.

18
  • (1) The provisions of the scheme must be such that employees participate in the scheme on similar terms.
  • (2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) above, the fact that the payments to employees vary according to the levels of their remuneration, the length of their service or similar factors shall not be regarded as meaning that they do not participate on similar terms.

Ascertainment of profits

19
  • (1) The scheme must provide for the preparation of a profit and loss account in respect of—
  • (a) each profit period of the employment unit; and
  • (b) any other period the profits for which must be ascertained for the purposes of this Chapter.
  • (2) The profit and loss account must give a true and fair view of the profit or loss of the employment unit for the period to which it relates.
  • (3) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) above, the requirements of Schedule 4 to the Companies Act 1985 shall apply (with any necessary modifications) to a profit and loss account prepared for the purposes of the scheme as they apply to a profit and loss account of a company for a financial year.
  • (4) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, a profit and loss account prepared for the purposes of the scheme must not make any deduction, in arriving at the profits or losses of the employment unit, for the remuneration of any person excluded from the scheme by virtue of paragraph 7 above.
  • (4A) In sub-paragraph (4) above “remuneration”, in relation to a person, includes fees and percentages, any sums paid by way of expenses allowance (insofar as those sums are charged to income tax), any contributions paid in respect of him under any pension scheme and the estimated value of any other benefits received by him otherwise than in cash.
  • (5) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, if the scheme so provides in relation to any of the items listed in sub-paragraph (6) below, a profit and loss account prepared for the purposes of the scheme may, in arriving at the profits or losses of the employment unit—
  • (a) leave the item out of account notwithstanding that Schedule 4 to the Companies Act 1985 requires it to be taken into account; or
  • (b) take the item into account notwithstanding that Schedule 4 to the Companies Act 1985 or section 3(3) of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 requires it to be left out of account.
  • (6) The items referred to in sub-paragraph (5) above are—
  • (a) interest receivable and similar income;
  • (b) interest payable and similar charges;
  • (c) goodwill;
  • (d) tax on profit or loss on ordinary activities (but not any penalty under the Taxes Acts);
  • (e) research and development costs;
  • (f) profit-related pay payable under the scheme, and profit-related pay payable under any other registered scheme if it is one to which paragraph 21 below applies;
  • (ff) secondary Class 1 contributions under Part I of the Social Security Act 1975 or Part I of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 1975 in respect of profit-related pay payable under the scheme;
  • (fg) windfall tax charged under Part I of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1997;
  • (g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (h) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (j) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (k) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (l) any exceptional items which fall within sub-paragraph (6A) below and should in accordance with any accounting practices regarded as standard be shown separately on the face of the profit and loss account.
  • (6A) The items are—
  • (a) profits or losses on the sale or termination of an operation;
  • (b) costs of a fundamental reorganisation or restructuring having a material effect on the nature and focus of the employment unit’s operations;
  • (c) profits or losses on the disposal of fixed assets; and
  • (d) the effect on tax of any of the items mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) above.
  • (7) References in this paragraph to Schedule 4 to the Companies Act 1985 shall be construed, in relation to Northern Ireland, as references to Schedule 4 to the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.
20
  • (1) The scheme must provide that, in preparing a profit and loss account for the purposes of this Schedule, no changes may be made from the accounting policies used in preparing accounts for any earlier period relevant for those purposes, or in the methods of applying those policies, if the effect of the changes (either singly or taken together) would be that the amount of profits (or losses) differed by more than 5 per cent. from what would be that amount if no changes were made.
  • (2) Sub-paragraph (1) above has effect subject to paragraph 19(2) above.

SCHEDULE 9

PART I — GENERAL

1
  • (1) Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, on the application of a body corporate (“the grantor”) which has established a share option scheme or a profit sharing scheme, the Board shall approve the scheme if they are satisfied that it fulfils such requirements of Part II and this Part as apply in relation to the scheme in question, and the requirements of Part III, IV or V of this Schedule; and in this Schedule—
  • “the relevant requirements” means, in relation to any scheme, the requirements of this Schedule by reference to which the scheme is approved; and
  • “savings-related share option scheme” means a scheme in relation to which the relevant requirements include the requirements of Part III of this Schedule.
  • (2) An application under sub-paragraph (1) above shall be made in writing and contain such particulars and be supported by such evidence as the Board may require.
  • (3) Where the grantor has control of another company or companies, the scheme may be expressed to extend to all or any of the companies of which it has control and in this Schedule a scheme which is expressed so to extend is referred to as a “group scheme”.
  • (4) In relation to a group scheme the expression “participating company” means the grantor or any other company to which for the time being the scheme is expressed to extend.
2
  • (1) The Board shall not approve a scheme under this Schedule if it appears to them that it contains features which are neither essential nor reasonably incidental to the purpose of providing for employees and directors benefits in the nature of rights to acquire shares or, in the case of a profit sharing scheme, in the nature of interests in shares.
  • (2) A profit sharing scheme shall not be approved under paragraph 1 above unless the Board are satisfied that, whether under the terms of the scheme or otherwise, every participant in the scheme is bound in contract with the grantor—
  • (a) to permit his shares to remain in the hands of the trustees throughout the period of retention; and
  • (b) not to assign, charge or otherwise dispose of his beneficial interest in his shares during that period; and
  • (c) if he directs the trustees to transfer the ownership of his shares to him at any time before the release date, to pay to the trustees before the transfer takes place a sum equal to income tax at the basic rate on the appropriate percentage of the locked-in value of the shares at the time of the direction; and
  • (d) not to direct the trustees to dispose of his shares at any time before the release date in any other way except by sale for the best consideration in money that can reasonably be obtained at the time of the sale or, in the case of redeemable shares in a workers’ cooperative, by redemption.
  • (2A) The Board shall not approve a profit sharing scheme unless they are satisfied—
  • (a) that the arrangements for the scheme do not make any provision, and are not in any way associated with any provision made, for loans to some or all of the employees of—
  • (i) the company that established the scheme, or
  • (ii) in the case of a group scheme, any participating company, and
  • (b) that the operation of the scheme is not in any way associated with such loans.
  • (2B) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2A) above “arrangements” includes any scheme, agreement or understanding, whether or not legally enforceable.
  • (3) The Board must be satisfied in the case of a savings-related share option scheme or a profit sharing scheme—
  • (a) that there are no features of the scheme (other than any which are included to satisfy requirements of this Schedule) which have or would have the effect of discouraging any description of employees or former employees who fulfil the conditions in paragraph 26(1) or, as the case may be, 36(1) below from actually participating in the scheme; and
  • (b) where the grantor is a member of a group of companies, that the scheme does not and would not have the effect of conferring benefits wholly or mainly on directors of companies in the group or on those employees of companies in the group who are in receipt of the higher or highest levels of remuneration.
  • (4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3) above “a group of companies” means a company and any other companies of which it has control.
3
  • (1) If, at any time after the Board have approved a share option scheme, any of the relevant requirements ceases to be satisfied or the grantor fails to provide information requested by the Board under paragraph 6 below, the Board may withdraw the approval with effect from that time or such later time as the Board may specify; but where rights obtained under a savings-related share option scheme before the withdrawal of approval from the scheme under this paragraph are exercised after the withdrawal, section 185(3) shall apply in respect of the exercise as if the scheme were still approved.
  • (2) If at any time after the Board have approved a profit sharing scheme—
  • (a) a participant is in breach of any of his obligations under paragraph 2(2)(a), (c) and (d) above; or
  • (b) there is, with respect to the operation of the scheme, any contravention of any of the relevant requirements, Schedule 10, the scheme itself or the terms of the trust referred to in paragraph 30(1)(c) below; or
  • (c) any shares of a class of which shares have been appropriated to the participants receive different treatment in any respect from the other shares of that class, in particular, different treatment in respect of—
  • (i) the dividend payable;
  • (ii) repayment;
  • (iii) the restrictions attaching to the shares; or
  • (iv) any offer of substituted or additional shares, securities or rights of any description in respect of the shares; or
  • (ca) the Board—
  • (i) cease to be satisfied of the matters mentioned in paragraph 2(2A) above, or
  • (ii) in the case of a scheme approved before 21st March 2000, are not satisfied of those matters; or
  • (d) the Board cease to be satisfied that the scheme complies with the requirements of paragraph 2(3) above or paragraph 36 below; or
  • (e) the trustees, the grantor or, in the case of a group scheme, a company which is or has been a participating company fail or fails to furnish any information which they are or it is required to furnish under paragraph 6 below ; or,
  • (f) the trustees appropriate shares to participants, one or more of whom have had free shares appropriated to them, at an earlier time in the same year of assessment, under a relevant share plan,

the Board may, subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, withdraw the approval with effect from that time or from such later time as the Board may specify.

  • (3) It shall not be a ground for withdrawal of approval of a profit sharing scheme that shares which have been newly issued receive, in respect of dividends payable with respect to a period beginning before the date on which the shares were issued, treatment which is less favourable than that accorded to shares issued before that date.
  • (4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(f) above the reference to persons having had free shares appropriated to them includes persons who would have had free shares appropriated to them but for their failure to obtain a performance allowance (within the meaning of paragraph 25 of Schedule 8 to the Finance Act 2000).
  • (5) In sub-paragraph (2)(f) and (4) above—
  • “free shares” has the same meaning as in Schedule 8 to the Finance Act 2000;
  • “relevant share plan”, in relation to a profit sharing scheme, means an employee share ownership plan that—was established by the grantor or a connected company, andis approved under Schedule 8 to that Act.
  • (6) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (5) above “connected company” means—
  • (a) a company which controls or is controlled by the grantor or which is controlled by a company which also controls the grantor, or
  • (b) a company which is a member of a consortium owning the grantor or which is owned in part by the grantor as a member of a consortium.
4

If an alteration is made in the scheme at any time after the Board have approved the scheme, the approval shall not have effect after the date of the alteration unless the Board have approved the alteration.

5

If aggrieved—

  • (a) in any case, by the failure of the Board to approve the scheme or to approve an alteration in the scheme or by the withdrawal of approval; or
  • (b) in the case of a savings-related share option scheme, by the failure of the Board to decide that a condition subject to which the approval has been given is satisfied; or
  • (c) in the case of a profit sharing scheme, by the failure of the Board to approve an alteration in the terms of the trust referred to in paragraph 30(1)(c) below;

the grantor may, by notice given to the Board within 30 days from the date on which it is notified of the Board’s decision, require the matter to be determined by the Special Commissioners, and the Special Commissioners shall hear and determine the matter in like manner as an appeal.

6

The Board may by notice require any person to furnish them, within such time as the Board may direct (not being less than 30 days), with such information as the Board think necessary for the performance of their functions under the relevant provisions and as the person to whom the notice is addressed has or can reasonably obtain, including in particular information—

  • (a) to enable the Board to determine—
  • (i) whether to approve a scheme or withdraw an approval already given; or
  • (ii) the liability to tax, including capital gains tax, of any person who has participated in a scheme; and
  • (b) in relation to the administration of a scheme and any alteration of the terms of a scheme.

PART II — REQUIREMENTS GENERALLY APPLICABLE

7

The provisions of this Part apply in relation to all schemes unless otherwise stated.

8

The scheme must not provide for any person to be eligible to participate in it, that is to say, to obtain and exercise rights under it, or in the case of a profit sharing scheme to have shares appropriated to him, at any time when he has, or has within the preceding 12 months had, a material interest in a close company which is—

  • (a) a company shares in which, in the case of a profit sharing scheme, are to be appropriated or, in the case of a share option scheme, may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of rights obtained under the scheme; or
  • (b) a company which has control of such a company or is a member of a consortium which owns such a company.
9
  • (1) A share option scheme must provide for directors and employees to obtain rights to acquire shares (“scheme shares”) which satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 10 to 14 below (disregarding paragraph 11A).
  • (2) In the case of a profit sharing scheme, the shares to be acquired by the trustees as mentioned in paragraph 30 below (“scheme shares”) must satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 10 to 12 and 14 below.
10

Scheme shares must form part of the ordinary share capital of—

  • (a) the grantor; or
  • (b) a company which has control of the grantor; or
  • (c) a company which either is, or has control of, a company which—
  • (i) is a member of a consortium owning either the grantor or a company having control of the grantor; . . .
  • (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11

Scheme shares must be—

  • (a) shares of a class listed on a recognised stock exchange; or
  • (b) shares in a company which is not under the control of another company; or
  • (c) shares in a company which is under the control of a company (other than a company which is, or would if resident in the United Kingdom be, a close company), whose shares are listed on a recognised stock exchange.
12
  • (1) Scheme shares must be—
  • (a) fully paid up;
  • (b) not redeemable; and
  • (c) not subject to any restrictions other than those permitted by sub-paragraph (1A) below.

Sub-paragraph (b) above does not apply, in the case of a profit sharing scheme, in relation to shares in a workers’ cooperative.

  • (1A) Subject to sub-paragraph (1B) below, scheme shares may be subject to—
  • (a) restrictions which attach to all shares of the same class, or
  • (b) a restriction authorised by sub-paragraph (2) below.
  • (1B) In the case of a profit sharing scheme, scheme shares must not be subject to any restrictions affecting the rights attaching to those shares which relate to—
  • (a) dividends, or
  • (b) assets on a winding-up of the company,

other than restrictions which attach to all other ordinary shares in the same company.

  • (2) Except as provided below, the shares may be subject to a restriction imposed by the company’s articles of association—
  • (a) requiring all shares held by directors or employees of the company or of any other company of which it has control to be disposed of on ceasing to be so held; and
  • (b) requiring all shares acquired, in pursuance of rights or interests obtained by such directors or employees, by persons who are not (or have ceased to be) such directors or employees to be disposed of when they are acquired.
  • (3) A restriction is not authorised by sub-paragraph (2) above unless—
  • (a) any disposal required by the restriction will be by way of sale for a consideration in money on terms specified in the articles of association; and
  • (b) the articles also contain general provisions by virtue of which any person disposing of shares of the same class (whether or not held or acquired as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) above) may be required to sell them on terms which are the same as those mentioned in paragraph (a) above.
  • (4) In the case of a profit sharing scheme, except in relation to redeemable shares in a workers’ cooperative, nothing in sub-paragraph (2) above authorises a restriction which would require a person, before the release date, to dispose of his beneficial interest in shares the ownership of which has not been transferred to him.
13
  • (1) In determining, in the case of a share option scheme, for the purposes of paragraph 12(1)(c) above whether scheme shares which are or are to be acquired by any person are subject to any restrictions, there shall be regarded as a restriction attaching to the shares any contract, agreement, arrangement or condition by which his freedom to dispose of the shares or of any interest in them or of the proceeds of their sale or to exercise any right conferred by them is restricted or by which such a disposal or exercise may result in any disadvantage to him or to a person connected with him.
  • (2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to so much of any contract, agreement, arrangement or condition as contains provisions similar in purpose and effect to any of the provisions of the Model Rules set out in the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Companies issued by the Stock Exchange in November 1984.
  • (3) In the case of schemes other than savings-related share option schemes, sub-paragraph (1) above does not apply in relation to any terms of a loan making provision about how it is to be repaid or the security to be given for it.
14
  • (1) Except where scheme shares are shares in a company the ordinary share capital of which consists of shares of one class only, the majority of the issued shares of the same class either must be employee-control shares or must be held by persons other than—
  • (a) persons who acquired their shares in pursuance of a right conferred on them or an opportunity afforded to them as a director or employee of the grantor or any other company and not in pursuance of an offer to the public;
  • (b) trustees holding shares on behalf of persons who acquired their beneficial interests in the shares as mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) above; and
  • (c) in a case where the shares fall within sub-paragraph (c), but not within sub-paragraph (a), of paragraph 11 above, companies which have control of the company whose shares are in question or of which that company is an associated company.
  • (2) In its application to a profit sharing scheme, sub-paragraph (1) above shall have effect with the addition after the words “ordinary share capital of which” of the words “ at the time of the acquisition of the shares by the trustees ”.
  • (3) For the purposes of this paragraph, shares in a company are employee-control shares if—
  • (a) the persons holding the shares are, by virtue of their holding, together able to control the company; and
  • (b) those persons are or have been employees or directors of the company or of another company which is under the control of the company.
15
  • (1) Except in the case of a profit sharing scheme, the scheme may provide that if any company (“the acquiring company”)—
  • (a) obtains control of a company whose shares are scheme shares as a result of making a general offer—
  • (i) to acquire the whole of the issued ordinary share capital of the company which is made on a condition such that if it is satisfied the person making the offer will have control of the company; or
  • (ii) to acquire all the shares in the company which are of the same class as the scheme shares;
  • (b) obtains control of a company whose shares are scheme shares in pursuance of a compromise or arrangement sanctioned by the court under section 425 of the Companies Act 1985 or Article 418 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986; or
  • (c) becomes bound or entitled to acquire shares in a company whose shares are scheme shares under sections 428 to 430 of that Act or Articles 421 to 423 of that Order,

any participant in the scheme may at any time within the appropriate period, by agreement with the acquiring company, release his rights under the scheme (in this paragraph referred to as “the old rights”) in consideration of the grant to him of rights (in this paragraph referred to as “the new rights”) which are equivalent to the old rights but relate to shares in a different company (whether the acquiring company itself or some other company falling within paragraph 10(b) or (c) above).

  • (2) In sub-paragraph (1) above “the appropriate period” means—
  • (a) in a case falling within paragraph (a), the period of six months beginning with the time when the person making the offer has obtained control of the company and any condition subject to which the offer is made is satisfied;
  • (b) in a case falling within paragraph (b), the period of six months beginning with the time when the court sanctions the compromise or arrangement; and
  • (c) in a case falling within paragraph (c), the period during which the acquiring company remains bound or entitled as mentioned in that paragraph.
  • (3) The new rights shall not be regarded for the purposes of this paragraph as equivalent to the old rights unless—
  • (a) the shares to which they relate satisfy the conditions specified, in relation to scheme shares, in paragraphs 10 to 14 above; and
  • (b) the new rights will be exercisable in the same manner as the old rights and subject to the provisions of the scheme as it had effect immediately before the release of the old rights; and
  • (c) the total market value, immediately before the release, of the shares which were subject to the participant’s old rights is equal to the total market value, immediately after the grant, of the shares in respect of which the new rights are granted to the participant; and
  • (d) the total amount payable by the participant for the acquisition of shares in pursuance of the new rights is equal to the total amount that would have been payable for the acquisition of shares in pursuance of the old rights.
  • (4) Where any new rights are granted pursuant to a provision included in a scheme by virtue of this paragraph they shall be regarded—
  • (a) for the purposes of section 185 and this Schedule; and
  • (b) for the purposes of the subsequent application (by virtue of a condition complying with sub-paragraph (3)(b) above) of the provisions of the scheme,

as having been granted at the time when the corresponding old rights were granted.

  • (5) Where a scheme which was approved before 1st August 1987 is altered before 1st August 1989 so as to include such a provision as is mentioned above (“an exchange provision”), the scheme as altered may by virtue of this and the following sub-paragraphs apply that provision to rights obtained under the scheme before the date on which the alteration takes effect.
  • (6) If an exchange provision is applied as mentioned in sub-paragraph (5) above in a case where, on or after 17th March 1987 but before the date on which the alteration takes effect, an event has occurred by reason of which a person holding rights under the scheme would be able to take advantage of the exchange provision—
  • (a) the scheme may permit a person who held rights under the scheme immediately before that event to take advantage of the exchange provision; and
  • (b) in a case where rights then held would otherwise, by reason of the event, have ceased to be exercisable, the scheme may provide that the exchange provision shall apply as if the rights were still exercisable.
  • (7) The application of an exchange provision as mentioned in sub-paragraph (5) or (6) above shall not itself be regarded for the purposes of this Schedule as the acquisition of a right.
  • (8) Sub-paragraphs (5) and (6) above have effect subject to paragraph 4 above.
16
  • (1) The scheme must provide for the scheme shares to be paid for with moneys not exceeding the amount of repayments made and any interest paid to them under a certified contractual savings scheme which has been approved by the Board for the purposes of this Schedule.
  • (2) Where the Board are satisfied that—
  • (a) a person has entered into a certified contractual savings scheme before 15th November 1980, and
  • (b) he has obtained rights under a scheme established before that date to acquire shares in a company of which he is an employee or director (or a company of which such a company has control) using repayments made under the certified contractual savings scheme;

then, repayments and interest paid under the certified contractual savings scheme shall be treated as repayments and interest paid, under a scheme approved by the Board for the purposes of this Schedule under sub-paragraph (1) above, and, accordingly, may be used for the purchase of shares under a savings-related share option scheme approved under this Schedule.

  • (3) The repayments and interest to which sub-paragraph (2) above applies shall not exceed the repayments and interest to which the participant would have been entitled if the terms of the scheme had corresponded to those of a certified contractual savings scheme approved by the Board under sub-paragraph (1) above.
17

Subject to paragraphs 18 to 21 below, the rights obtained under the scheme must not be capable of being exercised before the bonus date, that is to say, the date on which repayments under the certified contractual savings scheme are due; and for the purposes of this paragraph and paragraph 16 above—

  • (a) repayments under a certified contractual savings scheme may be taken as including or as not including a bonus;
  • (b) the time when repayments are due shall be, where repayments are taken as including the maximum bonus, the earliest date on which the maximum bonus is payable and, in any other case, the earliest date on which a bonus is payable under the scheme; and
  • (c) the question what is to be taken as so included must be required to be determined at the time when rights under the scheme are obtained.
18

The scheme must provide that if a person who has obtained rights under the scheme dies before the bonus date the rights must be exercised, if at all, within 12 months after the date of his death and if he dies within six months after the bonus date the rights may be exercised within 12 months after the bonus date.

19

The scheme must provide that if a person who has obtained rights under it ceases to hold the office or employment by virtue of which he is eligible to participate in the scheme by reason of—

  • (a) injury or disability or redundancy within the meaning of the Employment Rights Act 1996; or
  • (b) retirement on reaching the specified age or any other age at which he is bound to retire in accordance with the terms of his contract of employment,

then the rights must be exercised, if at all, within six months of his so ceasing and, if he so ceases for any other reason within three years of obtaining the rights, they may not be exercised at all except pursuant to such a provision of the scheme as is mentioned in paragraph 21(1)(e) below; and in relation to the case where he so ceases for any other reason more than three years after obtaining the rights the scheme must either provide that the rights may not be exercised or that they must be exercised, if at all, within six months of his so ceasing.

20

The scheme must provide that where a person who has obtained rights under it continues to hold the office or employment by virtue of which he is eligible to participate in the scheme after the date on which he reaches the specified age, he may exercise the rights within six months of that date.

21
  • (1) The scheme may provide that—
  • (a) if any person obtains control of a company whose shares are scheme shares as a result of making a general offer falling within paragraph 15(a)(i) or (ii) above, rights obtained under the scheme to acquire shares in the company may be exercised within six months of the time when the person making the offer has obtained control of the company and any condition subject to which the offer is made has been satisfied;
  • (b) if under section 425 of the Companies Act 1985 or Article 418 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (power to compromise with creditors and members) the court sanctions a compromise or arrangement proposed for the purposes of or in connection with a scheme for the reconstruction of a company whose shares are scheme shares or its amalgamation with any other company or companies, rights obtained under the share option scheme to acquire shares in the company may be exercised within six months of the court sanctioning the compromise or arrangement;
  • (c) if any person becomes bound or entitled, under sections 428 to 430 of that Act of 1985 or Articles 421 to 423 of that Order of 1986 (power to acquire shares of shareholders dissenting from schemes or contract approved by majority), to acquire shares in a company shares in which are scheme shares, rights obtained under the scheme to acquire shares in the company may be exercised at any time when that person remains so bound or entitled;
  • (d) if a company whose shares are scheme shares passes a resolution for voluntary winding up, rights obtained under a scheme to acquire shares in the company may be exercised within six months of the passing of the resolution; . . .
  • (e) if a person ceases to hold an office or employment by virtue of which he is eligible to participate in the scheme by reason only that—
  • (i) that office or employment is in a company of which the grantor ceases to have control; or
  • (ii) that office or employment relates to a business or part of a business which is transferred to a person who is neither an associated company of the grantor nor a company of which the grantor has control;

rights under the scheme held by that person may be exercised within six months of his so ceasing; and

  • (f) if, at the bonus date, a person who has obtained rights under the scheme holds an office or employment in a company which is not a participating company but which is—
  • (i) an associated company of the grantor, or
  • (ii) a company of which the grantor has control,

those rights may be exercised within six months of that date.

  • (2) For the purposes of this paragraph a person shall be deemed to have obtained control of a company if he and others acting in concert with him have together obtained control of it.
  • (3) Where a scheme which has been approved before 1st August 1986 has been or is altered before 1st August 1988 so as to include such a provision as is specified in sub-paragraph (1)(e) above, the scheme as altered may by virtue of this sub-paragraph apply that provision to rights obtained under the scheme before the date on which the alteration takes effect, and where that provision is so applied in relation to such rights—
  • (a) the scheme may permit a person having such rights to take advantage of the provision notwithstanding that under the scheme he would otherwise be unable to exercise those rights after he has ceased to hold the office or employment in question; and
  • (b) if, before the date on which the alteration takes effect, a person who held such rights on 18th March 1986 ceases, in either of the circumstances set out in sub-paragraph (1)(e) above, to hold an office or employment by virtue of which he was eligible to participate in the scheme, then, so far as concerns the rights so held, the scheme may permit him to take advantage of the provision in question as if the alteration had been made immediately before he ceased to hold that office or employment; and
  • (c) the application of the provision shall not itself be regarded as the acquisition of a right for the purposes of this Schedule.
  • (4) Where a scheme approved before the date of the passing of the Finance Act 1996 is altered before 5th May 1998 so as to include such a provision as is specified in sub-paragraph (1)(f) above, the scheme may apply the provision to rights obtained under the scheme before the alteration takes effect, whether the bonus date in relation to the rights occurred before or after the passing of that Act; and where the provision is applied to such rights by virtue of this sub-paragraph, its application to such rights shall not itself be regarded as the acquisition of a right for the purposes of this Schedule.

This sub-paragraph has effect subject to paragraph 4 above.

22

Except as provided in paragraph 18 above, rights obtained by a person under the scheme must not be capable—

  • (a) of being transferred by him, or
  • (b) of being exercised later than six months after the bonus date.
23

No person shall be treated for the purposes of paragraph 19 or 21(1)(e) above as ceasing to hold an office or employment by virtue of which he is eligible to participate in the scheme until he ceases to hold an office or employment in the grantor or in any associated company or company of which the grantor has control.

24
  • (1) The scheme must provide for a person’s contributions under the certified contractual savings scheme to be of such amount as to secure as nearly as may be repayment of an amount equal to that for which shares may be acquired in pursuance of rights obtained under the scheme; and for this purpose the amount of repayment under the certified contractual savings scheme shall be determined as mentioned in paragraph 17 above.
  • (2) The scheme must not—
  • (a) permit the aggregate amount of a person’s contributions under certified contractual savings schemes linked to savings-related share option schemes approved under this Schedule to exceed £250 monthly, nor
  • (b) impose a minimum on the amount of a person’s contributions which exceeds £10 monthly.
  • (3) The Treasury may by order amend sub-paragraph (2) above by substituting for any amount for the time being specified in that sub-paragraph such amount as may be specified in the order.
25

The price at which scheme shares may be acquired by the exercise of a right obtained under the scheme—

  • (a) must be stated at the time the right is obtained, and
  • (b) must not be manifestly less than 80%. of the market value of shares of the same class at that time or, if the Board and the grantor agree in writing, at such earlier time or times as may be provided in the agreement,

but the scheme may provide for such variation of the price as may be necessary to take account of any variation in the share capital of which the scheme shares form part.

26
  • (1) Subject to paragraph 8 above, every person who—
  • (a) is an employee or a full-time director of the grantor or, in the case of a group scheme, a participating company, and
  • (b) has been such an employee or director at all times during a qualifying period not exceeding five years, and
  • (c) is chargeable to tax in respect of his office or employment under Case I of Schedule E,

must be eligible to participate in the scheme, that is to say, to obtain and exercise rights under it, on similar terms, and those who do participate in the scheme must actually do so on similar terms.

  • (2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) above, the fact that the rights to be obtained by the persons participating in a scheme vary according to the levels of their remuneration, the length of their service or similar factors shall not be regarded as meaning that they are not eligible to participate in the scheme on similar terms or do not actually do so.
  • (3) Except as provided by paragraph 19 above or pursuant to such a provision as is referred to in paragraph 21(1)(e) or (f) above, a person must not be eligible to participate in the scheme at any time unless he is at that time a director or employee of the grantor or, in the case of a group scheme, of a participating company.

PART IV — REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO OTHER SHARE OPTION SCHEMES

27
  • (1) A person must not be eligible to obtain rights under the scheme at any time unless he is at that time a full-time director or qualifying employee of the grantor or, in the case of a group scheme, of a participating company, but the scheme may provide that a person may exercise rights under it after he has ceased to be a full-time director or qualifying employee.
  • (2) The scheme must not permit any person obtaining rights under it to transfer any of them but may provide that, if a person who has obtained rights under it dies before exercising them, they may be exercised after, but not more than one year after, the date of his death.
  • (3) Where the scheme contains the provision permitted by sub-paragraph (2) above and any rights are exercised—
  • (a) after the death of the person who obtained them; but
  • (b) before the expiry of the period of ten years beginning with his obtaining them;

subsection (3) of section 185 shall apply with the omission of the reference to subsection (5) of that section.

  • (4) In sub-paragraph (1) above “qualifying employee”, in relation to a company, means an employee of the company (other than one who is a director of the company or, in the case of a group scheme, of a participating company) . . . .
28
  • (1) The scheme must provide that no person shall obtain rights under it which would, at the time they are obtained, cause the aggregate market value of the shares which he may acquire in pursuance of rights obtained under the scheme or under any other share option scheme, not being a savings-related share option scheme, approved under this Schedule and established by the grantor or by any associated company of the grantor (and not exercised) to exceed or further exceed £30,000.
  • (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) above, the market value of shares shall be calculated as at the time when the rights in relation to those shares were obtained or, in a case where an agreement relating to them has been made under paragraph 29 below, such earlier time or times as may be provided in the agreement.
  • (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29
  • (1) The price at which scheme shares may be acquired by the exercise of a right obtained under the scheme—
  • (a) must be stated at the time the right is obtained, and
  • (b) must not be manifestly less than the market value of shares of the same class at that time or, if the Board and the grantor agree in writing, at such earlier time or times as may be provided in the agreement.
  • (7) The scheme may provide for such variation of the price at which scheme shares may be acquired as may be necessary to take account of any variation in the share capital of which the scheme shares form part.
  • (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART V — REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO PROFIT SHARING SCHEMES

30
  • (1) The scheme must provide for the establishment of a body of persons resident in the United Kingdom (“the trustees”)—
  • (a) who, out of moneys paid to them by the grantor or, in the case of a group scheme, a participating company, are required by the scheme to acquire shares in respect of which the conditions in paragraphs 10 to 12 and 14 above are fulfilled; and
  • (b) who are under a duty to appropriate shares acquired by them to individuals who participate in the scheme, not being individuals who are ineligible by virtue of paragraph 8 or 35 of this Schedule; and
  • (c) whose functions with respect to shares held by them are regulated by a trust which is constituted under the law of a part of the United Kingdom and the terms of which are embodied in an instrument which complies with the provisions of paragraphs 31 to 34 below.
  • (2) If at any time after the Board have approved the scheme, an alteration is made in the terms of the trust referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(c) above, the approval shall not have effect after the date of the alteration unless the Board have approved the alteration.
  • (3) The scheme must provide that the total of the initial market values of the shares appropriated to any one participant in a year of assessment will not exceed the relevant amount.
  • (4) In this Part of this Schedule “initial market value”, in relation to a participant’s shares, means the market value of those shares determined—
  • (a) except where paragraph (b) below applies, on the date on which the shares were appropriated to him; and

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