Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988

19 (1) The existence of a controlled foreign company achieves a reduction in United Kingdom tax by a diversion of profits from the United Kingdom in an accounting period if it is reasonable to suppose that, had neither the company nor any company related to it been in existence—

(a) the whole or a substantial part of the receipts which are reflected in the controlled foreign company’s profits in that accounting period would have been received by a company or individual resident in the United Kingdom; and

(b) that company or individual or any other person resident in the United Kingdom either—

(i) would have been liable for any United Kingdom tax or for a greater amount of any such tax; or

(ii) would not have been entitled to a relief from or repayment of any such tax or would have been entitled to a smaller relief from or repayment of any such tax.

(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) above, a company is related to a controlled foreign company if—

(a) it is resident outside the United Kingdom; and

(b) it is connected or associated with the controlled foreign company; and

(c) in relation to any company or companies resident in the United Kingdom, it fulfils or could fulfil, directly or indirectly, substantially the same functions as the controlled foreign company.

(3) Any reference in sub-paragraph (1) above to a company resident in the United Kingdom includes a reference to such a company which, if the controlled foreign company in question were not in existence, it is reasonable to suppose would have been established.