IPTM7760 | Personal portfolio bonds (PPB): permitted property: cash: held for speculative purposes

From HM Revenue & Customs · Insurance Policyholder Taxation Manual

If cash is selected for speculative purposes then this will cause the policy to be a PPB. As with other property, the test in respect of cash is by reference to the terms of the policy. A policy that is not to be a PPB should therefore either specifically exclude the possibility of holding cash for speculative purposes or do so implicitly by listing in its terms only those purposes for which cash may be selected or held.

Foreign currencies

Only foreign currencies are cash on which a gain may be realised through their disposal. The question of a speculative gain from a holding of sterling by a policyholder resident in the UK cannot arise.

Provided the terms of a policy preclude, either implicitly or explicitly, speculative investment in currency, the policy will not be considered to represent a PPB simply because it enables the policyholder to select a currency that is:

one in which the policy is denominated
of the country in which the policy holder is resident
one in which income arises from property to which the policy benefits are linked – but only to the extent of that income
one in which property, to which the policy was previously linked, was priced or sold – but only to the extent of the cash sale proceeds to which the policy is now linked
held solely for the purpose of obtaining a higher rate of interest, for instance a foreign-currency deposit account not held for speculative purposes, or
held with a view to purchasing property in that currency.

Foreign currency held with a view to purchase property

Where foreign currency is held with a view to purchasing property in that currency the policyholder would need to satisfy the insurer that cash is not being selected for speculation, and so should be clear about plans for the use of the cash. If intended purchases of assets did not materialise that would not of itself indicate a speculative purpose for the holding of foreign currency but might require explanation.