Part 8

Intangible fixed assets
Chapter 11

Transfer of business or trade

Tax-neutral transfers

European cross-border mergers: introduction
821
1
Section 822 applies if the following conditions are met in the case of any merger—
a
conditions A, B and C,
b
in the case of a merger within subsection (2)(a), (b) or (c), condition D, and
c
in the case of a merger within subsection (2)(c) or (d), condition E,
but see section 822(3) to (5)).
2
Condition A is that—
a
an SE is formed by the merger of two or more companies in accordance with Articles 2(1) and 17(2)(a) or (b) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2157/2001 on the Statute for a European company (Societas Europaea),
b
an SCE is formed by the merger of two or more co-operative societies, at least one of which is a society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, in accordance with Articles 2(1) and 19 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1435/2003 on the Statute for a European Co-operative Society (SCE),
c
a merger is effected by the transfer by one or more companies of all their assets and liabilities to a single existing company, or
d
a merger is effected by the transfer by two or more companies of all their assets and liabilities to a single new company (other than an SE or an SCE) in exchange for the issue by the transferee, to each person holding shares in or debentures of a transferor, of shares or debentures.
3
Condition B is that each merging company is resident in a relevant state.
4
Condition C is that the merging companies are not all resident in the same relevant state.
5
Condition D is that—
a
the transfer of assets and liabilities to the transferee in the course of the merger is made in exchange for the issue of shares or debentures by the transferee to each person holding shares in or debentures of a transferor, or
b
that transfer of those assets and liabilities is not so made only because, and only so far as, a transferee is prevented from so issuing such shares or debentures by section 658 of the Companies Act 2006 (c. 46) (general rule against limited company acquiring own shares) or by a corresponding provision of the law of a member State preventing such an issue.
6
Condition E is that in the course of the merger each transferor ceases to exist without being in liquidation (within the meaning given by section 247 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45)).
7
For the meaning of expressions used in this section, see section 823.
Pt. 8 modified (1.1.2010) by Northern Rock plc (Tax Consequences) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3227), regs. 1, 6(1)
Words in Act substituted (1.8.2014) by virtue of Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (c. 14), s. 154, Sch. 4 para. 142 (with Sch. 5)
Pt. 8 modified (with effect in accordance with s. 148 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), s. 88(1)(2)(7) (with s. 147, Sch. 17)
Pt. 8 modified (1.10.2011) by Postal Services Act 2011 (c. 5), s. 93(2)(3), Sch. 2 para. 6(1); S.I. 2011/2329, art. 3
Pt. 8 modified (with effect in accordance with s. 1184(1) of the amending Act) by Corporation Tax Act 2010 (c. 4), ss. 601, 1184(1) (with Sch. 2)
Words in s. 821(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Taxes (Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/689), regs. 1, 16(19)(a) (with regs. 39-41); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Pt. 8 modified (15.11.2011 for specified purposes, 30.3.2012 for E.W.) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss., 240(5)(o), Sch. 24 para. 1(3); S.I. 2012/628, art. 3(b)
Word in s. 821(5)(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Taxes (Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/689), regs. 1, 16(19)(c) (with regs. 39-41); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Pt. 8 modified (6.4.2020) by Finance Act 2019 (c. 1), Sch. 5 paras. 35, 45 (with Sch. 5 para. 36)
Pt. 8 modified (1.4.2012) by Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 (c. 4), s. 29, Sch. 4 para. 3(1); S.I. 2011/2576, art. 5
Words in s. 821(4) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Taxes (Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/689), regs. 1, 16(19)(b) (with regs. 39-41); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)