Section 177: Sale basis of valuation: sale to connected person
729.This section sets out the rule for the case where the stock is transferred to a connected person. It is based on section 100(1A)(b) of ICTA.
730.The section preserves the concept of an arm’s length price. This will usually be the same as the open market value (see section 175(4)) but sometimes there will be a difference.
731.For example, in an inheritance tax case, IRC v Spencer-Nairn [1991], STC 60, the Court of Session considered the meaning of an arm’s length price and distinguished it from open market value. This was on the basis that the seller in that case had imperfect information. A sale at arm’s length by that seller would not assume that the seller had better information; a sale in the open market would assume perfect information on both sides of the bargain.
732.Furthermore, in the case of an actual sale to a connected trader, there is no need to assume there is a sale. It is enough to treat the sale as made at arm’s length. This leaves open the possibility that the stock is worth something different from open market value to a person who intends to use the stock in the trade.
