Finance Act 2010

Restriction of qualifying expenditure

1 (1) In Chapter 17 of Part 2 of CAA 2001 (plant and machinery: anti-avoidance), after section 228M insert—

“228MA Restriction of qualifying expenditure

(1) This section applies where capital expenditure is incurred on the provision of plant or machinery (“the asset”) and at the time the expenditure is incurred—

(a) the asset is leased or arrangements exist under which it is to be leased, and

(b) arrangements have been entered into in relation to payments under the lease that have the effect of reducing the value of the asset to the lessor (“V”).

(2) For the purposes of capital allowances the lessor’s qualifying expenditure on the asset is restricted to V.

(3) The value of the asset to the lessor is given by—

V = VI + VR

where—

• VI is the present value of the lessor’s income from the asset, and

• VR is the present value of the residual value of the asset reduced by the amount of any rental rebate.

(4) For this purpose—

(a) the lessor’s income from the asset is the total of all the amounts that—

(i) have been received by the lessor, or it is reasonable to expect the lessor will receive, in connection with the lease, and

(ii) have been brought into account by the lessor, or it is reasonable to expect the lessor will bring into account, as income in computing profits chargeable to tax, and

(b) the residual value of the asset is what it is reasonable to expect will be the market value of the lessor’s interest in the asset immediately after the termination of the lease.

(5) In determining the lessor’s income from the asset, exclude—

(a) disposal receipts brought, or to be brought, into account under Part 2, and

(b) so much of any amount as represents charges for services or qualifying UK or foreign tax (within the meaning of section 70YE) to be paid by the lessor.

(6) Where capital expenditure has previously been incurred by the lessor on the provision of the asset, the reference in subsection (2) to the lessor’s qualifying expenditure on the asset is to be read as a reference to the total amount of the lessor’s qualifying expenditure on the asset.

(7) The following provisions supplement this section—

(a) section 228MB provides for the calculation of “present value”, and

(b) section 228MC defines what is meant by a rental rebate.

(8) In this section and sections 228MB and 228MC “lease” includes any arrangements which provide for plant or machinery to be leased or otherwise made available by a person (“the lessor”) to another person (“the lessee”).

228MB Calculation of present value

(1) For the purposes of section 228MA the “present value” of an amount is to be calculated by using the interest rate implicit in the lease.

(2) The general rule is that the interest rate implicit in the lease is the interest rate that would apply in accordance with normal commercial criteria, including, in particular, generally accepted accounting practice (where applicable).

(3) If the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be determined in accordance with subsection (2), it is taken to be 1% above LIBOR.

(4) For this purpose—

(a) LIBOR means the London interbank offered rate on the relevant day for deposits for a term of 12 months in the relevant currency,

(b) the relevant day is the day on which the lease was entered into (or if that was not a business day, the first business day after that day), and

(c) the relevant currency is the currency in which rentals under the lease are payable.

228MC Rental rebate

(1) For the purposes of section 228MA “rental rebate” means any sum payable to the lessee that is calculated by reference to the termination value of the asset.

(2) The general rule is that the termination value of an asset is the value of the asset at or about the time when the lease terminates.

(3) Calculation by reference to the termination value includes calculation by reference to any one or more of—

(a) the proceeds of sale, if the asset is sold,

(b) any insurance proceeds, compensation or similar sums in respect of the asset, and

(c) an estimate of the market value of the asset.

(4) Calculation by reference to the termination value also includes—

(a) determination in a way which, or by reference to factors or criteria which, might reasonably be expected to produce a broadly similar result to calculation by reference to the termination value, or

(b) any other form of calculation indirectly by reference to the termination value.”

(2) The amendment made by sub-paragraph (1) has effect in relation to capital expenditure incurred on or after 9 December 2009.