Section 88: Payments to research associations, universities etc
341.This section gives relief for payments by a company carrying on a trade to various bodies engaged in scientific research. It is based on section 82B of ICTA. The corresponding rule for income tax is in section 88 of ITTOIA.
342.The amendments to section 82B of ICTA in section 15 of F(No 2)A 2005 have effect in relation to sums paid to an association within subsection (1)(a) of this section during any accounting period of the association beginning on or after a day to be appointed by the Treasury under section 13(6) of F(No 2)A 2005.
343.Section 82B(1) of ICTA allows a deduction for “the sum paid”. So subsection (2) allows a deduction for the accounting period in which the payment is made. The wording is similar to that used in sections 69 and 77. This ensures that the timing rules for deductions in Chapter 5 of this Part of this Act which depend on payment are explicit and consistent.
344.Section 82B(4) of ICTA provides that “the Board” shall refer any question as to whether, or to what extent, activities constitute scientific research for the purposes of section 82B to the Secretary of State. Section 832(1) of ICTA defines “the Board” as “the Commissioners of Inland Revenue”.
345.In practice, the function in section 82B of ICTA is exercised by an officer of Revenue and Customs. So subsection (6) of this section provides that any question as to what constitutes scientific research must be referred to the Secretary of State by “an officer of Revenue and Customs”. This Change corresponds to Part B of Change 149 in ITTOIA (as amended by CRCA) and so brings the income tax and corporation tax codes back into line. See Change 1 in Annex 1.