Finance Act 1996

Profit sharing schemes E+W+S+N.I.

116 The release date. E+W+S+N.I.

(1) In section 187(2) of the Taxes Act 1988 (interpretation of sections 185 and 186 of, and Schedules 9 and 10 to, that Act) in the definition of “release date” (the fifth anniversary of the date on which shares were appropriated to a participant in a profit sharing scheme) for “fifth” there shall be substituted “ third ”.

(2) The amendment made by subsection (1) above shall have effect in relation to shares of a participant in a profit sharing scheme if the third anniversary of the appropriation of the shares to the participant occurs on or after the day on which this Act is passed.

(3) If the third anniversary of the appropriation of any shares to a participant in a profit sharing scheme has occurred, but the fifth anniversary of their appropriation to him has not occurred, before the passing of this Act, then, in the application of sections 186 and 187 of, and Schedules 9 and 10 to, the Taxes Act 1988 in relation to those shares, the release date shall be the day on which this Act is passed.

117 The appropriate percentage. E+W+S+N.I.

(1) In Schedule 10 to the Taxes Act 1988 (further provisions relating to profit sharing schemes) for paragraph 3 (the appropriate percentage) there shall be substituted—

“3 (1) For the purposes of any of the relevant provisions charging an individual to income tax under Schedule E by reason of the occurrence of an event relating to any of his shares, the “appropriate percentage” in relation to those shares is 100 per cent., unless sub-paragraph (2) below applies.

(2) Where the individual—

(a) ceases to be a director or employee of the grantor or, in the case of a group scheme, a participating company as mentioned in paragraph 2(a) above, or

(b) reaches the relevant age,

before the event occurs, the “appropriate percentage” is 50 per cent., unless paragraph 6(4) below applies.”

(2) In section 187(8) of that Act (determination of certain values and percentages where shares are appropriated to a participant at different times) paragraph (b) (which relates to the appropriate percentage), and the word “and” immediately preceding it, shall cease to have effect.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) above have effect in relation to the occurrence, on or after the day on which this Act is passed, of events by reason of whose occurrence any provision of section 186 or 187 of, or Schedule 9 or 10 to, the Taxes Act 1988 charges an individual to income tax under Schedule E.

118 The appropriate allowance. E+W+S+N.I.

(1) In section 186(12) of the Taxes Act 1988 (determination of the appropriate allowance for the purposes of the charge to tax on capital receipts by a participant in an approved profit sharing scheme)—

(a) for “£100” there shall be substituted “ £60 ”; and

(b) for “five years” there shall be substituted “ three years ”.

(2) Subsection (1) above has effect for the year 1997-98 and subsequent years of assessment.