Section 144ZD | Section 144ZB: alteration of value to obtain tax advantage ^F1

(1)This section applies in relation to an option if each of the following conditions is satisfied (as to the effect of this section applying, see section 144ZB(2)(b)).^F1

(2)Condition 1 is that section 144ZB would, apart from subsection (2)(b) of that section, apply in relation to the option.^F1

(3)Condition 2 is that, at the time the option is exercised, the open market price (see section 144ZC(4)) of the underlying subject matter of the option (see section 144ZB(7)) differs from the open market price of the underlying subject matter of the option at the time the option was granted.^F1

(4)Condition 3 is that some or all of that change in the open market price of the underlying subject matter of the option results to any extent, directly or indirectly, from arrangements (see subsection (8)) (“the relevant arrangements”)—^F1

(a)to which a relevant person is or has been a party, or^F1

(b)which include one or more transactions to which a relevant person is or has been a party.^F1

(5)In subsection (4) above “relevant person” means any of the following—^F1

(a)the grantor of the option;^F1

(b)any person who at any time holds the option;^F1

(c)a person connected with one or more of the persons mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) above.^F1

(6)Condition 4 is that, if there were to be disregarded so much of that change in the open market price of the underlying subject matter of the option as results to any extent, directly or indirectly, from the relevant arrangements, the exercise of the option would not be non-commercial (see section 144ZC).^F1

(7)Condition 5 is that (apart from this section) as a result, directly or indirectly, of the relevant arrangements—^F1

(a)the grantor of the option, or^F1

(b)the person exercising the option,^F1

would obtain or might be expected to obtain an advantage (see subsection (9)) in relation to capital gains tax or corporation tax in respect of chargeable gains directly or indirectly in consequence of, or otherwise in connection with, the exercise of the option.

(8)In this section “arrangements” includes any agreement, understanding, scheme, transaction or series of transactions (whether or not legally enforceable).^F1

(9)In this section “advantage”, in relation to capital gains tax or corporation tax in respect of chargeable gains, means—^F1

(a)relief or increased relief from, or repayment or increased repayment of, that tax, or the avoidance or reduction of a charge to that tax or an assessment to that tax or the avoidance of a possible assessment to that tax, or^F1

(b)the deferral of any payment of that tax or the advancement of any repayment of that tax.^F1

(10)This section is to be construed as one with sections 144ZB and 144ZC.^F1