Section 437 Tax avoidance etc
This Chapter does not apply in relation to the merger if—
the merger is not effected for genuine commercial reasons, or
the merger forms part of a scheme or arrangements of which the main purpose, or one of the main purposes, is avoiding liability to corporation tax, capital gains tax or income tax.
But subsection (1) does not prevent this Chapter from applying if before the merger—
any of the merging companies has applied to the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, and
the Commissioners have notified the merging companies that they are satisfied that subsection will not have that effect.
Sections 427 and 428 have effect in relation to subsection (2) as in relation to section 426(2), taking the references in section 428 to section 426(2)(b) as references to subsection (2)(b) of this section.
Notes on Part 5
Modifications
- C1
Pt. 5 applied (with effect in accordance with Sch. 24 paras. 13-16 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2009 (c. 10), Sch. 24 para. 15(2)(3)
- C2
Pt. 5 applied (with modifications) (with effect in accordance with s. 1184(1) of the amending Act) by Corporation Tax Act 2010 (c. 4), ss. 990(5), 1184(1) (with Sch. 2)
- C3
Pt. 5 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. 5; S.I. 2012/628, art. 3(b)
- C4
Pt. 5 modified (1.4.2012) by Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 (c. 4), s. 29, Sch. 4 para. 2; S.I. 2011/2576, art. 5
- C5
Pt. 5 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)
- C6
Pt. 5 modified (30.9.2013) by The BRB (Residuary) Limited (Tax Consequences) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2242), arts. 1, 7
- C7
Pt. 5 modified (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Taxation of Regulatory Capital Securities Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/3209), regs. 1(1), 11(3)-(6)
- C8
Pt. 5 modified by 2010 c. 4, s. 356NC(1)-(4) (as inserted (1.4.2014) by Finance Act 2014 (c. 26), Sch. 16 paras. 4, 6)
- C9
Pt. 5 modified by 2010 c. 4, s. 356NB(1)-(4) (as inserted (1.4.2014) by Finance Act 2014 (c. 26), Sch. 16 paras. 4, 6)
- C10
Pt. 5 modified by 2007 c. 3, s. 809FZZ(9) (as inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 37(4) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2016 (c. 24), s. 37(2))
- C11
Pt. 5 modified by 2010 c. 4, s. 676AG(1) (as inserted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 190 of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2017 (c. 32), Sch. 4 para. 75)
- C12
Pt. 5 modified (for the tax year 2026-27 and subsequent tax years (but in relation to investment management services whenever performed)) by 2005 c. 5, Sch. A1 para. 35(7) (as inserted by Finance Act 2026 (c. 11), s. 58(6), Sch. 11 para. 1)