BIM85620 | Farming losses: restriction of relief after 5 years of losses

From HM Revenue & Customs · Business Income Manual

The five year rule only applies to trading losses arising from farming or market gardening activities. The rule denies trade loss relief against general income etc (see ) where a loss computed without regard to capital allowances was incurred in each of the five tax years preceding that in which the claimed loss was incurred (see ).

The rule operates according to an objective test and should be applied, subject to and , in all cases where the conditions are satisfied.

While only farming in the UK is deemed to be a trade, the five year rule is not restricted to UK based activities.