Finance Act 2002

Derivative contracts with non-residents

31 (1) This paragraph applies in relation to a company where, as a result of any transaction,—

(a) the company and a non-resident both become party to a derivative contract,

(b) the company becomes party to a derivative contract to which a non-resident is party, or

(c) a non-resident becomes party to a derivative contract to which the company is party.

(2) For each accounting period for any part of which the company and the non-resident are both party to a derivative contract, the credits and debits which fall, in the case of the company, to be brought into account for the purposes of this Schedule as respects the derivative contract shall not include, in a case where that contract makes provision for notional interest payments, any relevant debit arising in relation to that contract.

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2) the amount of a relevant debit shall be computed by determining, as regards that accounting period, the amount (if any) by which—

(a) the aggregate of any notional interest payments made by the company to the non-resident while the company and the non-resident are both party to the derivative contract, exceeds

(b) the aggregate of any notional interest payments made by the non-resident to the company during that time.

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) a notional interest payment is any payment the amount of which falls to be determined (wholly or mainly) by applying to a notional principal amount specified in a derivative contract, for a period so specified, a rate the value of which at all times is the same as that of a rate of interest so specified.

(5) Sub-paragraph (2) shall not apply where the company is a bank, building society, financial trader or recognised clearing house and—

(a) the company is party to the derivative contract solely for the purposes of a trade or part of a trade carried on by it in the United Kingdom, and

(b) it is party to the derivative contract otherwise than as agent or nominee of another person.

(6) Sub-paragraph (2) shall not apply where—

(a) the non-resident is party to the derivative contract solely for the purposes of a trade or part of a trade carried on by him in the United Kingdom through a branch or agency, and

(b) he is party to the derivative contract otherwise than as agent or nominee of another person.

(7) Sub-paragraph (2) shall not apply where arrangements made in relation to the territory in which the non-resident is resident—

(a) have effect by virtue of section 788 of the Taxes Act 1988, and

(b) make provision, whether for relief or otherwise, in relation to interest (as defined in the arrangements).

(8) Where the non-resident is party to the contract as agent or nominee of another person, sub-paragraph (7) shall have effect as if the reference to the territory in which the non-resident is resident were a reference to the territory in which that other person is resident.

(9) In this paragraph—

• “non-resident” means a person who is not resident in the United Kingdom;

• “recognised clearing house” has the meaning given by section 285 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (c. 8).