Section 554F | Exclusions: commercial transactions ^F1

(1)Chapter 2 does not apply by reason of a relevant step which is the payment of a sum of money by way of a loan if—

(a)the loan is a loan on ordinary commercial terms within the meaning of section 176, ignoring conditions B and C in that section, and

(b)there is no connection (direct or indirect) between the relevant step and a tax avoidance arrangement.

(2)Chapter 2 does not apply by reason of a relevant step taken by a person (“P”), which is not the payment of a sum of money by way of a loan, if—

(a)the step is taken for the sole purpose of a transaction which P has with A and which P entered into in the ordinary course of P's business,

(b)a substantial proportion of P's business involves similar transactions with members of the public,

(c)the terms on which P entered into the transaction with A are substantially the same as the terms on which P normally enters into similar transactions with members of the public, and

(d)there is no connection (direct or indirect) between the relevant step and a tax avoidance arrangement.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2)(b) and (c) a transaction is “similar” if it is of the same or a similar type to the transaction which P has with A.

(4)In subsection (2)(b) and (c) “members of the public” means members of the public at large with whom P deals at arm's length.

(5)In this section references to A include references to any person linked with A.

(6)See paragraph 25 of Schedule 11 to F(No. 2)A 2017 for provision about exclusions where a loan is made on ordinary commercial terms and the relevant step is within paragraph 1 of that Schedule.^F2