Finance Act 1977

41 Capital gains: company reconstructions and amalgamations involving transfer of business assets

(1) In section 267 of the Taxes Act (relief where reconstruction or amalgamation involves transfer of business assets) after subsection (3) there shall be inserted—

“(3A) This section does not apply unless the reconstruction or amalgamation is effected for bona fide commercial reasons and does not form part of a scheme or arrangements of which the main purpose, or one of the main purposes, is avoidance of liability to corporation tax, capital gains tax or income tax; but the foregoing provisions of this subsection shall not affect the operation of this section in any case where, before the transfer, the Board have, on the application of the acquiring company, notified the company that the Board are satisfied that the reconstruction or amalgamation will be effected for bona fide commercial reasons and will not form part of any such scheme or arrangements as aforesaid.

Subsections (4) to (7) of section 40 of the Finance Act 1977 shall have effect in relation to this subsection as they have effect in relation to subsection (3)(b) of that section.

(3B) Where, if the company making the disposal had not been wound up, tax could have been assessed on it by virtue of subsection (3A) above, that tax may be assessed and charged (in the name of the company making the disposal) on the company to which the disposal is made.

(3C) If any tax assessed on a company (the chargeable company) by virtue of subsection (3A) or (3B) above is not paid within six months from the date when it is payable, any other person who—

(a) holds all or any part of the assets in respect of which the tax is charged; and

(b) either is the company to which the disposal was made or has acquired the assets without there having been any subsequent disposal not falling within this section or section 273 below,

may, within two years from the time when the tax became payable, be assessed and charged (in the name of the chargeable company) to all or, as the case may be, a corresponding part of the unpaid tax ; and a person paying any amount of tax under this section shall be entitled to recover a sum of that amount from the chargeable company.”.

(2) This section applies where the transfer takes effect after 19th April 1977.