Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003

Introduction E+W+S+N.I.

516 Approved SAYE option schemes E+W+S+N.I.

(1) This Chapter provides—

(a) for the approval of SAYE option schemes by the Inland Revenue, and

(b) for exemptions from income tax in connection with share options granted under those schemes.

(2) Schedule 3 contains the requirements that have to be met for an SAYE option scheme to be approved, together with the approval procedure.

(3) The provisions of—

(a) this and the following sections of this Chapter,

(b) Schedule 3, and

(c) Part 2 of Schedule 7D to TCGA 1992 (approved SAYE option schemes: amount of consideration on exercise of option),

together constitute “the SAYE code”.

(4) In the SAYE code—

• “approved” means approved by the Inland Revenue under Schedule 3 (see paragraph 1 of the Schedule);

• “SAYE option scheme” means a scheme (commonly referred to as an SAYE share option scheme) which is established by a company and provides—

  (a)

  for share options to be granted to employees and directors, and

  (b)

  for the shares acquired by the exercise of the share options to be paid for in the way mentioned in paragraph 24 of Schedule 3 (payments for shares to be linked to approved savings schemes);

• “share option” means a right to acquire shares in a company;

• “shares” includes stock.

(5) Other expressions used in the SAYE code and contained in the index at the end of Schedule 3 have the meaning indicated by the index.

517 Share options to which this Chapter applies E+W+S+N.I.

(1) This Chapter applies to a share option granted to an individual—

(a) in accordance with the provisions of an approved SAYE option scheme, and

(b) by reason of the individual’s office or employment as a director or employee of a company.

(2) The individual may be a director or employee of the company whose shares are the subject of the share option, or of some other company.