Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005

88 Payments to research associations, universities etc.

(1) If a person carrying on a trade—

(a) pays any sum to an approved scientific research association which has as its object scientific research related to the class of trade to which the trade belongs, or

(b) pays any sum to be used for such scientific research to an approved university, college research institute or other similar institution,

a deduction is allowed for the sum in calculating the profits of the trade.

(2) The deduction is allowed for the period of account in which the payment is made.

(3) “Scientific research” means any activities in the fields of natural or applied science for the extension of knowledge.

(4) For the purposes of this section—

(a) a scientific research association, or

(b) a university, college research institute or other similar institution,

is approved if it is for the time being approved for the purposes of this section by the Secretary of State.

(5) The references in this section to scientific research related to a class of trade include—

(a) scientific research which may lead to or facilitate an extension of trades of the class, and

(b) scientific research of a medical nature which has a special relation to the welfare of workers employed in trades of the class.

(6) If a question arises as to—

(a) whether, or

(b) what extent,

any activities constitute or constituted scientific research, the Inland Revenue must refer the question for decision to the Secretary of State, whose decision is final.

(7) The same expenses may not be brought into account under this section in relation to more than one trade.

(8) This section does not apply to professions or vocations.