(c) State the tax consequences for both Glaikit Limited and Alasdair if he borrows money from the company, as
proposed, on 1 January 2006. (3 marks)
第1题:
6 Alasdair, aged 42, is single. He is considering investing in property, as he has heard that this represents a good
investment. In order to raise the funds to buy the property, he wants to extract cash from his personal company, Beezer
Limited, whose year end is 31 December.
Beezer Limited was formed on 1 May 1998 with £1,000 of capital issued as 1,000 £1 ordinary shares, and traded
until 1 January 2005 when Alasdair sold the trade and related assets. The company’s only asset is cash of
£120,000. Alasdair wants to extract this cash from the company with the minimum amount of tax payable. He is
considering either, paying himself a dividend of £120,000, on 31 March 2006, after which the company would have
no assets and be wound up or, leaving the cash in the company and then liquidating the company. Costs of liquidation
of £5,000 would then be incurred.
Since Beezer Limited ceased trading, Alasdair has been taken on as a partner at a marketing firm, Gallus & Co. He
estimates his profit share for the year of assessment 2005/06 will be £30,000. He has not made any capital disposals
in the current tax year.
Alasdair wishes to reinvest the cash extracted from Beezer Limited in property but is not sure whether he should invest
directly in residential or commercial property, or do so via some form. of collective investment. He is aware that Gallus
& Co are looking to rent a new warehouse which could be bought for £200,000. Alasdair thinks that he may be able
to buy the warehouse himself and lease it to his firm, but only if he can borrow the additional money to buy the
property.
Alasdair has a 25% shareholding in another company, Glaikit Limited, whose year end is 31 March. The remaining
shares in this company are held by his friend, Gill. Alasdair is considering borrowing £15,000 from Glaikit Limited
on 1 January 2006. He does not intend to pay any interest on the loan, which is likely to be written off some time
in 2007. Alasdair does not have any connection with Glaikit Limited other than his shareholding.
Required:
(a) Advise Alasdair whether or not a dividend payment will result in a higher after-tax cash sum than the
liquidation of Beezer Limited. Assume that either the dividend would be paid on 31 March 2006 or the
liquidation would take place on 31 March 2006. (9 marks)
Assume that Beezer Limited has always paid corporation tax at or above the small companies rate of 19%
and that the tax rates and allowances for 2004/05 apply throughout this part.
第2题:
(ii) State, giving reasons, the tax reliefs in relation to inheritance tax (IHT) and capital gains tax (CGT) which
would be available to Alasdair if he acquires the warehouse and leases it to Gallus & Co, rather than to
an unconnected tenant. (4 marks)
第3题:
(b) (i) Advise Benny of the income tax implications of the grant and exercise of the share options in Summer
Glow plc on the assumption that the share price on 1 September 2007 and on the day he exercises the
options is £3·35 per share. Explain why the share option scheme is not free from risk by reference to
the rules of the scheme and the circumstances surrounding the company. (4 marks)
第4题:
(b) Explain the advantages from a tax point of view of operating the new business as a partnership rather than
as a company whilst it is making losses. You should calculate the tax adjusted trading loss for the year
ending 31 March 2008 for both situations and indicate the years in which the loss relief will be obtained.
You are not required to prepare any other supporting calculations. (10 marks)
(b) The new business
There are two tax advantages to operating the business as a partnership.
(i) Reduction in taxable income
If the new business is operated as a company, Cindy and Arthur would both be taxed at 40% on their salaries. In
addition, employer and employee national insurance contributions would be due on £105 (£5,000 – £4,895) in respect
of each of them.
If the new business is operated as a partnership, the partners would have no taxable trading income because the
partnership has made a loss; any salaries paid to the partners would be appropriations of the profit or loss of the
business and not employment income. They would, however, each have to pay Class 2 national insurance contributions
of £2·10 each per week.
(ii) Earlier relief for trading losses
If the new business is operated as a company, its tax adjusted trading loss in the year ending 31 March 2008 would
be as follows:
第5题:
3 Damian is the finance director of Linden Limited, a medium sized, unquoted, UK trading company, with a 31 July
year end. Damian personally owns 10% of the ordinary issued share capital of Linden Limited, for which he paid
£10,000 in June 1998. He estimates that the current market value of Linden Limited is £9 million and that the
company will make taxable profits of £1·4 million in the forthcoming year to 31 July 2007.
(a) Damian believes that Linden Limited should conduct its activities in a socially responsible manner and to this
end has proposed that in future all cars purchased by the company should be low emission vehicles. The sales
director has stated that several of his staff, who are the main recipients of company cars, other than the directors,
are extremely unhappy with this proposal, perceiving it as downgrading their value and status.
The cars currently provided to the sales staff have a list price of £19,600, on which Linden Limited receives a
bulk purchase discount of 6% from the dealer, and a CO2 emission rate of 168 grams/kilometre. The company
pays for up to £400 of accessories, of the salesmen’s own choice to be fitted to the cars and all of the running
costs, including private petrol. The cars are replaced every three years and the ‘old’ cars are sold at auction,
because they are high mileage vehicles.
The low emission cars it is proposed to purchase will have the same list price as the current cars, but the dealer
is only prepared to offer a bulk discount of 5% on these vehicles. Damian does not propose to make any other
changes to Linden Limited’s company car policy or practice.
Required:
(i) Explain the tax consequences of the proposed move to low emission vehicles for both the individual
salesmen and Linden Limited, illustrating your answer by means of relevant calculations of the tax and
national insurance (NIC) savings arising. (9 marks)
第6题:
(c) For commercial reasons, Damian believes that it would be sensible to place a new holding company, Bold plc,
over the existing company, Linden Limited. Bold plc would also be unquoted and would acquire the existing
Linden Limited shares in exchange for the issue of its own shares.
If the new structure is implemented, Bold plc will provide management services to Linden Limited, but the
amount that will be charged for these services is yet to be determined.
Required:
(i) State the capital gains tax (CGT) issues that Damian should be aware of before disposing of his shares
in Linden Limited to Bold plc. Your answer should include details of any conditions that will need to be
satisfied if an immediate charge to tax is to be avoided. (4 marks)
第7题:
4 (a) For this part, assume today’s date is 1 March 2006.
Bill and Ben each own 50% of the ordinary share capital in Flower Limited, an unquoted UK trading company
that makes electronic toys. Flower Limited was incorporated on 1 August 2005 with 1,000 £1 ordinary shares,
and commenced trading on the same day. The business has been successful, and the company has accumulated
a large cash balance of £180,000, which is to be used to purchase a new factory. However, Bill and Ben have
received an offer from a rival company, which they are considering. The offer provides Bill and Ben with two
alternative methods of payment for the purchase of their shares:
(i) £480,000 for the company, inclusive of the £180,000 cash balance.
(ii) £300,000 for the company assuming the cash available for the factory purchase is extracted prior to sale.
Bill and Ben each currently receive a gross salary of £3,750 per month from Flower Limited. Part of the offer
terms is that Bill and Ben would be retained as employees of the company on the same salary.
Neither Bill nor Ben has used any of their capital gains tax annual exemption for the tax year 2005/06.
Required:
(i) Calculate which of the following means of extracting the £180,000 from Flower Limited on 31 March
2006 will result in the highest after tax cash amount for Bill and Ben:
(1) payment of a dividend, or
(2) payment of a salary bonus.
You are not required to consider the corporation tax (CT) implications for Flower Limited in your
answer. (5 marks)
As a result, Bill and Ben would each be better off by £15,005 (69,142 – 54,137). If the cash were extracted by way
of dividend.
Tutorial note: In this answer the employers’ national insurance liability on the salary has been ignored. Credit would be
given to a candidate who recognised this issue.
第8题:
(iii) State how your answer in (ii) would differ if the sale were to be delayed until August 2006. (3 marks)
第9题:
(ii) Calculate the corporation tax (CT) payable by Tay Limited for the year ended 31 March 2006, taking
advantage of all available reliefs. (3 marks)
第10题:
(d) Advise Trent Limited of the consequences arising from the submission of the incorrect value added tax (VAT)
return, assuming that the company has previously had a good compliance record with regard to accounting
for VAT. (6 marks)
第11题:
In relation to company law, explain:
(a) the limitations on the use of company names; (4 marks)
(b) the tort of ‘passing off’; (4 marks)
(c) the role of the company names adjudicators under the Companies Act 2006. (2 marks)
(a) Except in relation to specifically exempted companies, such as those involved in charitable work, companies are required to indicate that they are operating on the basis of limited liability. Thus private companies are required to end their names, either with the word ‘limited’ or the abbreviation ‘ltd’, and public companies must end their names with the words ‘public limited company’ or the abbreviation ‘plc’. Welsh companies may use the Welsh language equivalents (Companies Act (CA)2006 ss.58, 59 & 60).
Companies Registry maintains a register of business names, and will refuse to register any company with a name that is the same as one already on that index (CA 2006 s.66).
Certain categories of names are, subject to the decision of the Secretary of State, unacceptable per se, as follows:
(i) names which in the opinion of the Secretary of State constitute a criminal offence or are offensive (CA 2006 s.53)
(ii) names which are likely to give the impression that the company is connected with either government or local government authorities (s.54).
(iii) names which include a word or expression specified under the Company and Business Names Regulations 1981 (s.26(2)(b)). This category requires the express approval of the Secretary of State for the use of any of the names or expressions contained on the list, and relates to areas which raise a matter of public concern in relation to their use.
Under s.67 of the Companies Act 2006 the Secretary of State has power to require a company to alter its name under the following circumstances:
(i) where it is the same as a name already on the Registrar’s index of company names.
(ii) where it is ‘too like’ a name that is on that index.
The name of a company can always be changed by a special resolution of the company so long as it continues to comply with the above requirements (s.77).
(b) The tort of passing off was developed to prevent one person from using any name which is likely to divert business their way by suggesting that the business is actually that of some other person or is connected in any way with that other business. It thus enables people to protect the goodwill they have built up in relation to their business activity. In Ewing v Buttercup
Margarine Co Ltd (1917) the plaintiff successfully prevented the defendants from using a name that suggested a link with
his existing dairy company. It cannot be used, however, if there is no likelihood of the public being confused, where for example the companies are conducting different businesses (Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co Ltd v Dunlop Motor Co Ltd (1907)
and Stringfellow v McCain Foods GB Ltd (1984). Nor can it be used where the name consists of a word in general use (Aerators Ltd v Tollitt (1902)).
Part 41 of the Companies Act (CA) 2006, which repeals and replaces the Business Names Act 1985, still does not prevent one business from using the same, or a very similar, name as another business so the tort of passing off will still have an application in the wider business sector. However the Act introduced a new procedure to deal specifically with company names. As previously under the CA 1985, a company cannot register with a name that was the same as any already registered (s.665 Companies Act (CA) 2006) and under CA s.67 the Secretary of State may direct a company to change its name if it has been registered in a name that is the same as, or too like a name appearing on the registrar’s index of company names. In addition, however, a completely new system of complaint has been introduced.
(c) Under ss.69–74 of CA 2006 a new procedure has been introduced to cover situations where a company has been registered with a name
(i) that it is the same as a name associated with the applicant in which he has goodwill, or
(ii) that it is sufficiently similar to such a name that its use in the United Kingdom would be likely to mislead by suggesting a connection between the company and the applicant (s.69).
Section 69 can be used not just by other companies but by any person to object to a company names adjudicator if a company’s name is similar to a name in which the applicant has goodwill. There is list of circumstances raising a presumption that a name was adopted legitimately, however even then, if the objector can show that the name was registered either, to obtain money from them, or to prevent them from using the name, then they will be entitled to an order to require the company to change its name.
Under s.70 the Secretary of State is given the power to appoint company names adjudicators and their staff and to finance their activities, with one person being appointed Chief Adjudicator.
Section 71 provides the Secretary of State with power to make rules for the proceedings before a company names adjudicator.
Section 72 provides that the decision of an adjudicator and the reasons for it, are to be published within 90 days of the decision.
Section 73 provides that if an objection is upheld, then the adjudicator is to direct the company with the offending name to change its name to one that does not similarly offend. A deadline must be set for the change. If the offending name is not changed, then the adjudicator will decide a new name for the company.
Under s.74 either party may appeal to a court against the decision of the company names adjudicator. The court can either uphold or reverse the adjudicator’s decision, and may make any order that the adjudicator might have made.
第12题:
第13题:
(b) (i) Advise Alasdair of the tax implications and relative financial risks attached to the following property
investments:
(1) buy to let residential property;
(2) commercial property; and
(3) shares in a property investment company/unit trust. (9 marks)
第14题:
(ii) Briefly outline the tax consequences for Henry if the types of protection identified in (i) were to be
provided for him by Happy Home Ltd compared to providing them for himself. You are not required to
discuss the corporation tax (CT) consequences for Happy Home Ltd. (4 marks)
第15题:
(ii) Compute the annual income tax saving from your recommendation in (i) above as compared with the
situation where Cindy retains both the property and the shares. Identify any other tax implications
arising from your recommendation. Your answer should consider all relevant taxes. (3 marks)
第16题:
(b) (i) State the condition that would need to be satisfied for the exercise of Paul’s share options in Memphis
plc to be exempt from income tax and the tax implications if this condition is not satisfied.
(2 marks)
第17题:
(b) Peter, one of Linden Limited’s non-executive directors, having lived and worked in the UK for most of his adult
life, sold his home near London on 22 March 2006 and, together with his wife (a French citizen), moved to live
in a villa which she owns in the south of France. Peter is now demanding that the tax deducted from his director’s
fees, for the board meetings held on 18 April and 16 May 2006, be refunded, on the grounds that, as he is no
longer resident in the UK, he is no longer liable to UK income tax. All of the company’s board meetings are held
at its offices in Cambridge.
Despite Peter’s assurance that none of the other companies of which he is a director has disputed his change of
tax status, Damian is uncertain whether he should make the refunds requested. However, as Peter is a friend of
the company’s founder, Linden Limited’s managing director is urging him to do so, stating that if the tax does
have to be paid, then Linden Limited could always bear the cost.
Required:
Advise Damian whether Peter is correct in his assertion regarding his tax position and in the case that there
is a UK tax liability the implications of the managing director’s suggestion. You are not required to consider
national insurance (NIC) issues. (4 marks)
第18题:
(iii) State the value added tax (VAT) and stamp duty (SD) issues arising as a result of inserting Bold plc as
a holding company and identify any planning actions that can be taken to defer or minimise these tax
costs. (4 marks)
You should assume that the corporation tax rates for the financial year 2005 and the income tax rates
and allowances for the tax year 2005/06 apply throughout this question.
第19题:
(ii) Following on from your answer to (i), evaluate the two purchase proposals, and advise Bill and Ben
which course of action will result in the highest amount of after tax cash being received by the
shareholders if the disposal takes place on 31 March 2006. (4 marks)
第20题:
(b) For this part, assume today’s date is 1 May 2010.
Bill and Ben decided not to sell their company, and instead expanded the business themselves. Ben, however,
is now pursuing other interests, and is no longer involved with the day to day activities of Flower Limited. Bill
believes that the company would be better off without Ben as a voting shareholder, and wishes to buy Ben’s
shares. However, Bill does not have sufficient funds to buy the shares himself, and so is wondering if the
company could acquire the shares instead.
The proposed price for Ben’s shares would be £500,000. Both Bill and Ben pay income tax at the higher rate.
Required:
Write a letter to Ben:
(1) stating the income tax (IT) and/or capital gains tax (CGT) implications for Ben if Flower Limited were to
repurchase his 50% holding of ordinary shares, immediately in May 2010; and
(2) advising him of any available planning options that might improve this tax position. Clearly explain any
conditions which must be satisfied and quantify the tax savings which may result.
(13 marks)
Assume that the corporation tax rates for the financial year 2005 and the income tax rates and allowances
for the tax year 2005/06 apply throughout this question.
(b) [Ben’s address] [Firm’s address]
Dear Ben [Date]
A company purchase of own shares can be subject to capital gains treatment if certain conditions are satisfied. However, one
of these conditions is that the shares in question must have been held for a minimum period of five years. As at 1 May 2010,
your shares in Flower Limited have only been held for four years and ten months. As a result, the capital gains treatment will
not apply.
In the absence of capital gains treatment, the position on a company repurchase of its own shares is that the payment will
be treated as an income distribution (i.e. a dividend) in the hands of the recipient. The distribution element is calculated as
the proceeds received for the shares less the price paid for them. On the basis that the purchase price is £500,000, then the
element of distribution will be £499,500 (500,000 – 500). This would be taxed as follows:
第21题:
(iii) Explain the potential corporation tax (CT) implications of Tay Limited transferring work to Trent Limited,
and suggest how these can be minimised or eliminated. (3 marks)
第22题:
(ii) State the taxation implications of both equity and loan finance from the point of view of a company.
(3 marks)
第23题:
James died on 22 January 2015. He had made the following gifts during his lifetime:
(1) On 9 October 2007, a cash gift of £35,000 to a trust. No lifetime inheritance tax was payable in respect of this gift.
(2) On 14 May 2013, a cash gift of £420,000 to his daughter.
(3) On 2 August 2013, a gift of a property valued at £260,000 to a trust. No lifetime inheritance tax was payable in respect of this gift because it was covered by the nil rate band. By the time of James’ death on 22 January 2015, the property had increased in value to £310,000.
On 22 January 2015, James’ estate was valued at £870,000. Under the terms of his will, James left his entire estate to his children.
The nil rate band of James’ wife was fully utilised when she died ten years ago.
The nil rate band for the tax year 2007–08 is £300,000, and for the tax year 2013–14 it is £325,000.
Required:
(a) Calculate the inheritance tax which will be payable as a result of James’ death, and state who will be responsible for paying the tax. (6 marks)
(b) Explain why it might have been beneficial for inheritance tax purposes if James had left a portion of his estate to his grandchildren rather than to his children. (2 marks)
(c) Explain why it might be advantageous for inheritance tax purposes for a person to make lifetime gifts even when such gifts are made within seven years of death.
Notes:
1. Your answer should include a calculation of James’ inheritance tax saving from making the gift of property to the trust on 2 August 2013 rather than retaining the property until his death.
2. You are not expected to consider lifetime exemptions in this part of the question. (2 marks)
(a) James – Inheritance tax arising on death
Lifetime transfers within seven years of death
The personal representatives of James’ estate will be responsible for paying the inheritance tax of £348,000.
Working – Available nil rate band
(b) Skipping a generation avoids a further charge to inheritance tax when the children die. Gifts will then only be taxed once before being inherited by the grandchildren, rather than twice.
(c) (1) Even if the donor does not survive for seven years, taper relief will reduce the amount of IHT payable after three years.
(2) The value of potentially exempt transfers and chargeable lifetime transfers are fixed at the time they are made.
(3) James therefore saved inheritance tax of £20,000 ((310,000 – 260,000) at 40%) by making the lifetime gift of property.