Summary
1.This section and Schedule implement several recommendations of the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) to simplify the tax rules and administrative processes for employee share schemes. The main changes include:
Replacing approval by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) with self certification for three of the tax advantaged employee share schemes - Share Incentive Plans (SIP), Save As You Earn Option Schemes (SAYE) and Company Share Option Plans (CSOP).
Introducing online filing for all employee share scheme returns and information, including for Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) and non-tax advantaged arrangements providing employment-related securities.
a number of technical changes to the SIP, SAYE and CSOP rules designed to clarify the legislation, including modification of the 'purpose test' that must be met by these schemes.
2.These changes aim to simplify the employee share scheme rules where these may create undue complexities or unnecessary administrative burdens for scheme users. They support the Government's objective to simplify the tax system. The changes will come into effect on 6 April 2014.