Finance Act 2002

• Citation: 2002 c. 23
• Sections: 911

... Restriction of relief to films genuinely intended for theatrical release

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... Exclusion of deferments from production expenditure

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Section 1 Rates of tobacco products duty

(1) For the Table of rates of duty in Schedule 1 to the Tobacco Products Duty Act 1979 (c. 7) substitute—

Table

(2) This section shall be deemed to have come into force at 6 o’clock in the evening of 17th April 2002.

Section 2 Rates of duty on cider

(1) In section 62(1A) of the Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979 (c. 4) (rates of duty on cider)—

(a) in paragraph (b) (rate of duty per hectolitre in the case of cider of a strength exceeding 7.5 per cent that is not sparkling cider), for “£39.21” substitute “ £38.43 ” ;

(b) in paragraph (c) (rate of duty per hectolitre in any other case), for “£26.13” substitute “ £25.61 ” .

(2) This section shall be deemed to have come into force on 28th April 2002.

Section 3 Duty on beverages made with spirits to be at spirits rate

(1) Omit section 1(9) of the Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979 (under which alcoholic beverages of a strength between 1.2 and 5.5 per cent made with spirits are treated as not being spirits, unless of a description specified by Treasury order).

(2) This section shall be deemed to have come into force on 28th April 2002.

Section 4 Reduced rates of duty on beer from small breweries

(1) Schedule 1 to this Act (which makes provision for the excise duty on beer to be charged at reduced rates on beer produced in small breweries) has effect.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), subsection (1) shall be deemed to have come into force on 1st June 2002.

(3) So far as relating to—

(a) the insertion by paragraph 2 of that Schedule of the new section 36H of the Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979, and

(b) paragraph 3 of that Schedule,

subsection (1) comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

Section 5 Biodiesel

(1) The Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979 (c. 5) is amended as follows.

(2) After section 2 insert—

Biodiesel

(2AA)

(1) In this Act “ biodiesel ” means diesel quality liquid fuel—

(a) that is produced from biomass or waste cooking oil,

(b) the ester content of which is not less than 96.5% by weight, and

(c) the sulphur content of which does not exceed 0.005% by weight or is nil.

(2) In subsection (1)—

(a) “ diesel quality ” means capable of being used for the same purposes as heavy oil;

(b) “ liquid ” does not include any substance that is gaseous at a temperature of 15°C and under a pressure of 1013.25 millibars;

(c) “ biomass ” means vegetable and animal substances constituting the biodegradable fraction of—

(i) products, wastes and residues from agriculture, forestry and related activities, or

(ii) industrial and municipal waste.

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) After section 6 (excise duty on hydrocarbon oil) insert—

Excise duty on biodiesel

(6AA)

(1) A duty of excise shall be charged on the setting aside for a chargeable use by any person, or (where it has not already been charged under this section) on the chargeable use by any person, of biodiesel.

(2) In subsection (1) “ chargeable use ” means use—

(a) as fuel for any engine, motor or other machinery, or

(b) as an additive or extender in any substance so used.

(3) The rate of duty under this section shall be £0.2582 a litre.

Excise duty on blends of biodiesel and heavy oils

(6AB)

(1) A duty of excise shall be charged on bioblend—

(a) imported into the United Kingdom, or

(b) produced in the United Kingdom and delivered for home use from a refinery or from other premises used for the production of hydrocarbon oil or from any bonded storage for hydrocarbon oil, not being bioblend chargeable with duty under paragraph (a) above.

This is subject to subsection (6) below.

(2) In this Act “ bioblend ” means any mixture that is produced by mixing—

(a) biodiesel, and

(b) heavy oil not charged with the excise duty on hydrocarbon oil.

(3) The rate at which the duty shall be charged on any bioblend shall be a composite rate representing—

(a) in respect of the proportion of the bioblend that is hydrocarbon oil, the rate that would be applicable to the bioblend if it consisted entirely of heavy oil of the description that went into producing the bioblend, and

(b) in respect of the proportion of the bioblend that is biodiesel, the rate that would be applicable to the bioblend if it consisted entirely of biodiesel.

(4) The references in subsection (3) above to the proportions of—

(a) hydrocarbon oil, and

(b) biodiesel,

are to the proportions by volume to the nearest 0.001%.

(5) If the Commissioners are not satisfied as to the proportion of biodiesel in any bioblend, the rate of duty chargeable shall be the rate that would be applicable to the bioblend if it consisted entirely of heavy oil of the description that went into producing the bioblend.

(6) Where imported bioblend is removed to a refinery, the duty chargeable under subsection (1) above shall, instead of being charged at the time of the importation of the bioblend, be charged on the delivery of any goods from the refinery for home use and shall be the same as that which would be payable on the importation of like goods.

Application to biodiesel and bioblend of provisions relating to hydrocarbon oil

(6AC)

(1) The Commissioners may by regulations provide for—

(a) references in this Act, or specified references in this Act, to hydrocarbon oil to be construed as including references to—

(i) biodiesel;

(ii) bioblend;

(b) references in this Act, or specified references in this Act, to duty on hydrocarbon oil to be construed as including references to duty under—

(i) section 6AA above;

(ii) section 6AB above;

(c) biodiesel, or bioblend, to be treated for the purposes of such of the following provisions of this Act as may be specified as if it fell within a specified description of hydrocarbon oil.

(2) Where the effect of provision made under subsection (1) above is to extend any power to make regulations, provision made in exercise of the power as extended may be contained in the same statutory instrument as the provision extending the power.

(3) In this section “ specified ” means specified by regulations under this section.

(4) Regulations under this section may make different provision for different cases.

(5) Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above shall not be taken as prejudicing the generality of paragraph (a) of that subsection.

(5) Schedule 2 to this Act contains minor and consquential amendments of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979 (c. 5).

(6) Subsection (4), and subsection (5) so far as relating to paragraphs 2 and 4(1) of that Schedule, have effect in relation to biodiesel that—

(a) is set aside for chargeable use (as defined in the section 6AA inserted by subsection (4)) after such date as the Commissioners of Customs and Excise may by order made by statutory instrument appoint, or

(b) not having been so set aside, is the subject of such chargeable use after that date,

and has not been set aside for chargeable use under section 6A of that Act (fuel substitutes) on or before that date.

(7) Subsection (4), and subsection (5) so far as relating to paragraph 2 of that Schedule, have effect in relation to bioblend that—

(a) is imported into the United Kingdom after the date appointed under subsection (6)(a), or

(b) not having been so imported—

(i) is produced in the United Kingdom and delivered for home use after that date, and

(ii) has not been set aside for chargeable use under section 6A of that Act (fuel substitutes) on or before that date.

(8) Subsection (5)—

(a) so far as relating to paragraph 3 of that Schedule, comes into force on the day after the date appointed under subsection (6)(a),

(b) so far as relating to paragraph 5 of that Schedule, applies to mixtures produced after the date appointed under subsection (6)(a), and

(c) so far as relating to paragraph 7 of that Schedule, comes into force on such day as the Commissioners of Customs and Excise may by order made by statutory instrument appoint.

Section 6 Regulating trade in rebated heavy oil etc

(1) Schedule 3 to this Act has effect.

(2) In that Schedule—

Part 1 makes provision for regulating trade in certain heavy oil on which rebate of excise duty has been allowed, and

Part 2 amends provisions of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979 relating to rebates.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), subsection (1) so far as relating to paragraph 1 of that Schedule shall not come into force until such day as the Commissioners of Customs and Excise may appoint by order made by statutory instrument.

(4) For the purpose of the exercise of any power to make regulations, subsection (1) so far as relating to that paragraph comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

Section 7 Fuel substitutes

(1) In section 6A of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979 (c. 5) (fuel substitutes)—

(a) in subsection (5) (power to provide that fuel substitute to be treated as if it were a description of hydrocarbon oil), for the words from “the description of such one or more of the following” to the end substitute “ such description of hydrocarbon oil as may be so specified ” ;

(b) in subsection (6)(a) (power to be exercised so that fuel substitute charged with duty and otherwise treated as if it were description of hydrocarbon oil to which it is most closely equivalent), for “the substance falling within the descriptions specified in subsection (5) above” substitute “ hydrocarbon oil of the description ” .

(2) In section 10 of the Finance Act 1993 (c. 34) (mineral oil fuel substitutes)—

(a) in subsection (2) (power to provide that mineral oil fuel substitute to be treated as if it were a particular description of hydrocarbon oil), for the words from “the description of such one or more of the following” to the end substitute “ such description of hydrocarbon oil as may be so specified ” ;

(b) in subsection (3) (power to be exercised so that mineral oil fuel substitute treated as if it were description of hydrocarbon oil to which it is most closely equivalent), for “the substance falling within the descriptions specified in subsection (2) above” substitute “ hydrocarbon oil of the description ” .

Section 8 Amusement machine licences: excepted machines

(1) Section 21 of the Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981 (c. 63) (amusement machine licences) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (3A) (excepted machines), for paragraphs (c) and (d) (certain thirty-five penny machines and video machines) substitute—

(c) a fifty-penny machine that is not a gaming machine.

(3) For subsection (3B) substitute—

(3B) For the purposes of this section an amusement machine is a fifty-penny machine if, and only if—

(a) where it is a machine on which a game can be played solo, the price for a solo game does not exceed 50p; and

(b) where it is a machine on which a game can be played by more than one person at a time, the price to participate in such a game does not exceed 50p.

(4) In subsection (3C) (definition of the price for a solo game), for “35p”, in both places where it occurs, substitute “ 50p ” .

(5) In section 25 of that Act (definition of different types of machine), in subsections (4) and (6) (treatment of machines capable of being played by more than one person at a time), for “an excepted video machine falling within section 21(3A)(d) above” substitute “ a fifty-penny machine within section 21(3B) above ” .

(6) This section has effect in relation to the provision of an amusement machine at any time on or after 1st May 2002.

Section 9 Amusement machine licence duty: rates

(1) In the Table in section 23(2) of the Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981 (c. 63) (rates of amusement machine licence duty), for column (4) (medium-prize machines other than five-penny machines) and column 6 (machines not in any other category) substitute—

(2) This section applies in relation to any amusement machine licence for which an application is received by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise after 30th April 2002.

Section 10 Rates of gaming duty

(1) For the Table in section 11(2) of the Finance Act 1997 (c. 16) (rates of gaming duty) substitute—

Table

(2) This section has effect in relation to accounting periods beginning on or after 1st April 2002.

Section 11 Gaming duty to be chargeable in respect of sic bo and three card poker

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Section 12 Pool betting duty etc

(1) Schedule 4 to this Act has effect.

(2) In that Schedule, Part 1—

makes provision about pool betting duty, and

provides for coupon betting to cease to be subject to pool betting duty but to be subject to general betting duty instead,

and Part 2 contains minor amendments and transitional provisions.

(3) The amendments made by paragraph 2 of that Schedule have effect for the purposes of accounting periods beginning on or after 31st March 2002; but this does not apply to the substitution of the new regulation-making provisions.

(4) The amendments made by paragraphs 3 and 4 of that Schedule apply to bets made on or after 31st March 2002.

(5) Subsections (1) to (4) shall (subject to subsections (6) and (7)) be deemed to have come into force on 31st March 2002.

(6) Subsection (1), so far as relating to paragraphs 5, 6(a) and (c), 7 to 9, 10(1), (2), (5) to (11), (13) and (14), 11, 12(1) and (3), 13 and 14 of Schedule 4 to this Act, shall be deemed to have come into force on 24th April 2002.

(7) Subsection (1), so far as relating to—

(a) the substitution of the new regulation-making provisions by paragraph 2 of that Schedule, and

(b) paragraphs 10(3), (4) and (12) and 12(2) of that Schedule,

comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed; but the powers conferred by the new regulation-making provisions are exercisable only as respects accounting periods beginning after that day.

(8) In this section “ the new regulation-making provisions ” means the following new provisions of the Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981 (c. 63)—

section 7D(6) to (8),

section 7E(4) and (5),

section 7F(6) and (7),

section 8(3) and (4), and

section 8B(1)(b) and (2).

Section 13 General betting duty: spread bets

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Section 14 General betting duty: overseas bet-brokers

(1) In Part 1 of the Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981 (betting duties), after section 9 (prohibitions for protection of revenue) insert—

Further prohibitions for protection of revenue: overseas bet-brokers

(9A)

(1) A person shall be guilty of an offence if—

(a) he knowingly issues, circulates or distributes in the United Kingdom, or has in his possession for that purpose, any advertisement or other document inviting the use of or otherwise relating to bet-broking services, and

(b) any person providing any of the bet-broking services concerned—

(i) is outside the United Kingdom, and

(ii) provides them in the course of a business.

(2) In this section “ bet-broking services ” means—

(a) facilities provided by a person that may be used by other persons in making bets with third persons, or

(b) a person’s services of acting as agent for other persons in making bets on their behalf with third parties (whether the persons on whose behalf the bets are made are disclosed principals or undisclosed principals).

(3) In subsection (2) “ bet ” means a bet other than one made by way of pool betting.

(4) A person who gets or tries to get any advertisement or other document given or sent to him shall not be guilty of an offence by reason of his thereby procuring or inciting some other person to commit, or aiding or abetting the commission of, an offence under this section.

(2) After section 9A of that Act (inserted by subsection (1) above) insert—

Offences under sections 9 and 9A: penalties

(9B)

(1) This section applies where a person is guilty of an offence under section 9 or 9A (a “ relevant offence ”).

(2) In the case of the person’s first conviction for a relevant offence, he is liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a penalty of the prescribed sum, or

(b) on conviction on indictment to a penalty of any amount.

(3) In the case of a second or subsequent conviction of the person for a relevant offence, he is liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a penalty of the prescribed sum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment to a penalty of any amount or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both.

(3) Omit section 9(4) of that Act (penalties for offences under section 9).

(4) In paragraph 5 of Schedule 6 to that Act (convictions under predecessors of section 9 to be treated as convictions under section 9), for “For the purposes of section 9(4)” substitute “ For the purposes of section 9B ” .

(5) Subsection (1) comes into force on the day after that on which this Act is passed.

(6) The amendments made by subsections (2) to (4) apply for the purposes of punishing offences committed after the day on which this Act is passed.

Section 15 Cars registered on or after 1st March 2001: rates of duty

(1) For the Table in paragraph 1B of Schedule 1 to the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22) (rates of duty applicable to light passenger vehicles registered on or after 1st March 2001 on basis of certificate specifying CO 2 emissions figure) substitute—

(2) This section applies to any licence taken out on or after 18th April 2002 for a period beginning on or after 1st May 2002.

Section 16 Vans registered on or after 1st March 2001: rates of duty

(1) For paragraph 1J of Schedule 1 to the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22) (rate of duty applicable to light goods vehicles first registered on or after 1st March 2001) substitute—

1J The annual rate of vehicle excise duty applicable to a vehicle to which this Part of this Schedule applies is— a if the vehicle is not a lower-emission van, £160; b if the vehicle is a lower-emission van, £105. For the purposes of paragraph 1J, a vehicle to which this Part of this Schedule applies is a “ lower-emission van ” if—

(1K)

(a) the vehicle is first registered on or after 1st March 2003, and

(b) the limit values given for the vehicle by the Table (which is extracted from the new table inserted in section 5.3.1.4 of Annex I of Council Directive 70/220/ EEC by Directive 98/69/ EC of the European Parliament and of the Council) are not exceeded during a Type I test.

(1L) In paragraph 1K—

“ Type I test ” means a test as described in section 5.3 of Annex I to Council Directive 70/220/EEC as amended (test for simulating/verifying the average tailpipe emissions after a cold start and carried out using the procedure described in Annex III of that Directive as amended);

“ the reference mass ” of a vehicle means the mass of the vehicle with bodywork and, in the case of a towing vehicle, with coupling device, if fitted by the manufacturer, in running order, or mass of the chassis or chassis with cab, without bodywork and/or coupling device if the manufacturer does not fit the bodywork and/or coupling device (including liquids and tools, and spare wheel if fitted, and with the fuel tank filled to 90% and the other liquid containing systems, except those for used water, to 100% of the capacity specified by the manufacturer), increased by a uniform mass of 100 kilograms;

“ CO ” means mass of carbon monoxide;

“ HC ” means mass of hydrocarbons;

“ NO x ” means mass of oxides of nitrogen;

“ PM ” means mass of particulates (for compression ignition engines).

(2) Subsection (1) applies to any licence taken out for a period beginning on or after 1st March 2003.

Section 17 Disclosure of information for vehicle excise duty exemptions

In the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22), after section 22 insert—

Nil licences for vehicles for disabled persons: information

(22ZA)

(1) This section applies to information that—

(a) is held for the purposes of functions relating to social security or war pensions—

(i) by the Secretary of State, or

(ii) by a person providing services to the Secretary of State, in connection with the provision of those services, and

(b) is of a description prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(2) Information to which this section applies may, if the consent condition is satisfied, be supplied—

(a) to the Secretary of State, or

(b) to a person providing services to the Secretary of State,

for use for the purposes of relevant nil licence functions.

(3) The “ consent condition ”, in relation to any information, is that—

(a) if the information was provided by a person other than the person to whom the information relates, the person who provided the information, or

(b) in any other case, the person to whom the information relates,

has consented to the supply of the information and has not withdrawn that consent.

(4) Information supplied under subsection (2) shall not—

(a) be supplied by the recipient to any other person unless—

(i) it could be supplied to that person under subsection (2), or

(ii) it is supplied for the purposes of any civil or criminal proceedings relating to this Act;

(b) be used otherwise than for the purposes of relevant nil licence functions or any such proceedings.

(5) In this section “ relevant nil licence functions ” means functions relating to applications for, and the issue of, nil licences in respect of vehicles that are exempt vehicles under—

(a) paragraph 19 of Schedule 2, or

(b) paragraph 7 of Schedule 4.

Section 18 Motorcycles (and motorcycle trade licences): rates of duty

(1) For paragraph 2(1) to (1B) of Schedule 1 to the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22) (rates of duty applicable to motorcycles not exceeding 450 kilograms in weight unladen) substitute—

(2)

(1) The annual rate of vehicle excise duty applicable to a motorcycle that does not exceed 450 kilograms in weight unladen is—

(a) if the cylinder capacity of the engine does not exceed 150 cubic centimetres, £15;

(b) if the vehicle is a motorbicycle and the cylinder capacity of the engine exceeds 150 cubic centimetres but does not exceed 400 cubic centimetres, £30;

(c) if the vehicle is a motorbicycle and the cylinder capacity of the engine exceeds 400 cubic centimetres but does not exceed 600 cubic centimetres, £45;

(d) in any other case, £60.

(2) In sections 13(3)(a), 35A(5)(b) and 36(3)(b) of that Act, and in section 13(4)(a) of that Act as substituted under paragraph 8 of Schedule 4 to that Act (references to paragraph 2(1)(c) of Schedule 1 in connection with motorcycle trade licences), for “(1)(c)” substitute “ (1)(d) ” .

(3) Subsection (1), and the amendments in section 13 of that Act, apply to any licence taken out on or after 18th April 2002 for a period beginning on or after 1st May 2002.

(4) The amendments in sections 35A and 36 of that Act apply where the relevant period begins on or after 1st May 2002.

Section 19 Registered vehicles etc

(1) Schedule 5 to this Act, which provides—

for vehicle excise duty to be charged in respect of vehicles registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 that are neither used nor kept on a public road,

for vehicle excise duty to be charged in respect of things that have been but have ceased to be mechanically propelled vehicles,

for supplements to be payable where vehicle licences are renewed late, and

for it to be an offence to be the person in whose name an unlicensed vehicle is registered under that Act,

has effect.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), subsection (1) shall not come into force until such day as the Secretary of State may appoint by order made by statutory instrument; and an order under this subsection may appoint different days for different purposes.

(3) For the purpose of the exercise of any power to make regulations, subsection (1) comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument make—

(a) such transitional provision as he considers necessary or expedient in connection with the coming into force of subsection (1);

(b) such provision consequential upon, or incidental or supplementary to, the amendments made by Schedule 5 to this Act (including provision further amending the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994) as he considers necessary or expedient.

(5) A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (4)(b) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Section 20 Calculating cylinder capacity of vehicles

(1) In paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22) (annual rates of duty: general), after sub-paragraph (2A) insert—

(2B) For the purposes of this Schedule the cylinder capacity of an engine shall be calculated in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(2) Omit—

(a) paragraph 2(4) of that Schedule (power to make regulations as to calculation of cylinder capacity of motorcycle engines), and

(b) section 57(8) of that Act (regulations under paragraph 2(4) of Schedule 1 not subject to annulment).

(3) Any regulations—

(a) made under paragraph 2(4) of that Schedule or having effect as if so made, and

(b) in force or effective immediately before the passing of this Act,

shall have effect after the passing of this Act as if made under the paragraph 1(2B) inserted in that Schedule by this section.

(4) Subsection (3) has effect in place of section 17(2)(b) of the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30) (but is without prejudice to any other provision of that Act) and, in particular, the fact that the instrument containing any such regulations was not subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament shall not prevent them being revoked, amended or re-enacted by regulations under that paragraph 1(2B).

Section 21 Drawback of excise duty

(1) In section 133 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (c. 2) (claims for drawback of excise duty)—

(a) in subsection (2), for “subsections (3) to (6)” substitute “ subsections (4) to (6) ” ;

(b) omit subsection (3) (Commissioners to be satisfied that the duty in question has been duly paid, and not already drawn back, before drawback is payable).

(2) In section 14(1) of the Finance Act 1994 (c. 9) (reviewable decisions) after paragraph (bb) insert—

(bc) any decision by the Commissioners as to whether or not any person is entitled to any drawback of excise duty by virtue of regulations under section 2 of the Finance ( No. 2) Act 1992, or the amount of the drawback to which any person is so entitled;

(3) The amendment made by subsection (2) does not apply in relation to decisions made before the day on which this Act comes into force.

Section 22 Disallowance of input tax where consideration not paid

(1) In Part 1 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23) (the charge to tax), after section 26 insert—

Disallowance of input tax where consideration not paid

(26A)

(1) Where—

(a) a person has become entitled to credit for any input tax, and

(b) the consideration for the supply to which that input tax relates, or any part of it, is unpaid at the end of the period of 6 months following the relevant date,

he shall be taken, as from the end of that period, not to have been entitled to credit for input tax in respect of the VAT that is referable to the unpaid consideration or part.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) above “ the relevant date ”, in relation to any sum representing consideration for a supply, is—

(a) the date of the supply, or

(b) if later, the date on which the sum became payable.

(3) Regulations may make such supplementary, incidental, consequential or transitional provisions as appear to the Commissioners to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of this section.

(4) Regulations under this section may in particular—

(a) make provision for restoring the whole or any part of an entitlement to credit for input tax where there is a payment after the end of the period mentioned in subsection (1) above;

(b) make rules for ascertaining whether anything paid is to be taken as paid by way of consideration for a particular supply;

(c) make rules dealing with particular cases, such as those involving payment of part of the consideration or mutual debts.

(5) Regulations under this section may make different provision for different circumstances.

(6) Section 6 shall apply for determining the time when a supply is to be treated as taking place for the purposes of construing this section.

(2) In section 36 of that Act (bad debts), omit subsections (4A) and (5)(ea).

(3) This section has effect in relation to supplies made on or after such day as the Commissioners of Customs and Excise may appoint by order made by statutory instrument.

Section 23 Flat-rate scheme

(1) In Part 1 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23) (the charge to tax), after section 26A (inserted by section 22 above) insert—

Flat-rate scheme

(26B)

(1) The Commissioners may by regulations make provision under which, where a taxable person so elects, the amount of his liability to VAT in respect of his relevant supplies in any prescribed accounting period shall be the appropriate percentage of his relevant turnover for that period.

A person whose liability to VAT is to any extent determined as mentioned above is referred to in this section as participating in the flat-rate scheme.

(2) For the purposes of this section—

(a) a person’s “ relevant supplies ” are all supplies made by him except supplies made at such times or of such descriptions as may be specified in the regulations;

(b) the “ appropriate percentage ” is the percentage so specified for the category of business carried on by the person in question;

(c) a person’s “ relevant turnover ” is the total of—

(i) the value of those of his relevant supplies that are taxable supplies, together with the VAT chargeable on them, and

(ii) the value of those of his relevant supplies that are exempt supplies.

(3) The regulations may designate certain categories of business as categories in relation to which the references in subsection (1) above to liability to VAT are to be read as references to entitlement to credit for VAT.

(4) The regulations may provide for persons to be eligible to participate in the flat-rate scheme only in such cases and subject to such conditions and exceptions as may be specified in, or determined by or under, the regulations.

(5) Subject to such exceptions as the regulations may provide for, a participant in the flat-rate scheme shall not be entitled to credit for input tax.

This is without prejudice to subsection (3) above.

(6) The regulations may—

(a) provide for the appropriate percentage to be determined by reference to the category of business that a person is expected, on reasonable grounds, to carry on in a particular period;

(b) provide, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, for different percentages to apply in relation to different parts of the same prescribed accounting period;

(c) make provision for determining the category of business to be regarded as carried on by a person carrying on businesses in more than one category.

(7) The regulations may provide for the following matters to be determined in accordance with notices published by the Commissioners—

(a) when supplies are to be treated as taking place for the purposes of ascertaining a person’s relevant turnover for a particular period;

(b) the method of calculating any adjustments that fall to be made in accordance with the regulations in a case where a person begins or ceases to participate in the flat-rate scheme.

(8) The regulations may make provision enabling the Commissioners—

(a) to authorise a person to participate in the flat-rate scheme with effect from—

(i) a day before the date of his election to participate, or

(ii) a day that is not earlier than that date but is before the date of the authorisation;

(b) to direct that a person shall cease to be a participant in the scheme with effect from a day before the date of the direction.

The day mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) above may be a day before the date on which the regulations come into force.

(9) Regulations under this section—

(a) may make different provision for different circumstances;

(b) may make such incidental, supplemental, consequential or transitional provision as the Commissioners think fit, including provision disapplying or applying with modifications any provision contained in or made under this Act.

(2) In section 83 of that Act (appeals), after paragraph (f) insert—

(fza) a decision of the Commissioners—

(i) refusing or withdrawing authorisation for a person’s liability to pay VAT (or entitlement to credit for VAT) to be determined as mentioned in subsection (1) of section 26B;

(ii) as to the appropriate percentage or percentages (within the meaning of that section) applicable in a person’s case.

(3) In section 84 of that Act (further provisions relating to appeals), after subsection (4) insert—

(4ZA) Where an appeal is brought—

(a) against such a decision as is mentioned in section 83(fza), or

(b) to the extent that it is based on such a decision, against an assessment,

the tribunal shall not allow the appeal unless it considers that the Commissioners could not reasonably have been satisfied that there were grounds for the decision.

(4) This section shall be deemed to have come into force on 24th April 2002.

Section 24 Invoices

(1) In the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23) omit the following (which are superseded by the provision inserted by subsection (2))—

(a) subsection (9) of section 6 (time of supply);

(b) in paragraph 2 (VAT invoices etc) of Schedule 11 (administration, collection and enforcement)—

(i) in the heading, the words “, VAT invoices”;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (1), the words from “and may require” to the end;

(iii) sub-paragraphs (2) and (2A).

(2) After paragraph 2 of Schedule 11 to that Act insert—

VAT invoices

(2A)

(1) Regulations may require a taxable person supplying goods or services to provide an invoice (a “ VAT invoice ”) to the person supplied.

(2) A VAT invoice must give—

(a) such particulars as may be prescribed of the supply, the supplier and the person supplied;

(b) such an indication as may be prescribed of whether VAT is chargeable on the supply under this Act or the law of another member State;

(c) such particulars of any VAT that is so chargeable as may be prescribed.

(3) Regulations may confer power on the Commissioners to allow the requirements of any regulations as to the information to be given in a VAT invoice to be relaxed or dispensed with.

(4) Regulations may—

(a) provide that the VAT invoice that is required to be provided in connection with a particular description of supply must be provided within a prescribed time after the supply is treated as taking place, or at such time before the supply is treated as taking place as may be prescribed;

(b) allow for the invoice to be issued later than required by the regulations where it is issued in accordance with general or special directions given by the Commissioners.

(5) Regulations may—

(a) make provision about the manner in which a VAT invoice may be provided, including provision prescribing conditions that must be complied with in the case of an invoice issued by a third party on behalf of the supplier;

(b) prescribe conditions that must be complied with in the case of a VAT invoice that relates to more than one supply;

(c) make, in relation to a document that refers to a VAT invoice and is intended to amend it, such provision corresponding to that which may be made in relation to a VAT invoice as appears to the Commissioners to be appropriate.

(6) Regulations may confer power on the Commissioners to require a person who has received in the United Kingdom a VAT invoice that is (or part of which is) in a language other than English to provide them with an English translation of the invoice (or part).

(7) Regulations under this paragraph—

(a) may be framed so as to apply only in prescribed cases or only in relation to supplies made to persons of prescribed descriptions;

(b) may make different provision for different circumstances.

Self-billed invoices

(2B)

(1) This paragraph applies where a taxable person provides to himself a document (a “ self-billed invoice ”) that purports to be a VAT invoice in respect of a supply of goods or services to him by another taxable person.

(2) Subject to compliance with such conditions as may be—

(a) prescribed,

(b) specified in a notice published by the Commissioners, or

(c) imposed in a particular case in accordance with regulations,

a self-billed invoice shall be treated as the VAT invoice required by regulations under paragraph 2A above to be provided by the supplier.

(3) For the purposes of section 6(4) (under which the time of supply can be determined by the prior issue of an invoice) a self-billed invoice shall not be treated as issued by the supplier.

(4) For the purposes of section 6(5) and (6) (under which the time of supply can be determined by the subsequent issue of an invoice) a self-billed invoice in relation to which the conditions mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) are complied with shall, subject to compliance with such further conditions as may be prescribed, be treated as issued by the supplier.

In such a case, any notice of election given or request made for the purposes of section 6(5) or (6) by the person providing the self-billed invoice shall be treated for those purposes as given or made by the supplier.

(5) Regulations under this paragraph—

(a) may be framed so as to apply only in prescribed cases or only in relation to supplies made to persons of prescribed descriptions;

(b) may make different provision for different circumstances.

(3) For paragraph 3 of that Schedule substitute—

Electronic communication and storage of VAT invoices etc

(3)

(1) Regulations may prescribe, or provide for the Commissioners to impose in a particular case, conditions that must be complied with in relation to—

(a) the provision by electronic means of any item to which this paragraph applies;

(b) the preservation by electronic means of any such item or of information contained in any such item.

(2) The items to which this paragraph applies are—

(a) any VAT invoice;

(b) any document that refers to a VAT invoice and is intended to amend it;

(c) any invoice described in regulations made for the purposes of section 6(8)(b) or 12(1)(b).

(3) Regulations under this paragraph may make different provision for different circumstances.

(4) The following amendments to the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23) are consequential on other amendments made by this section—

(a) in section 6(15), for “paragraph 2(1)” substitute “ paragraph 2A ” ;

(b) in section 83 (appeals), for paragraph (z) substitute—

(z) any conditions imposed by the Commissioners in a particular case by virtue of paragraph 2B(2)(c) or 3(1) of Schedule 11

(c) in section 88 (supplies spanning change of rate etc)—

(i) in subsection (5), for “paragraph 2” substitute “ paragraph 2A ” ;

(ii) in subsection (6), for “section 6(9) or paragraph 7 of Schedule 4” substitute “ paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 or paragraph 2B(4) of Schedule 11 ” .

(5) This section comes into force on such day as the Treasury may by order made by statutory instrument appoint, and different days may be appointed for different provisions or different purposes.

(6) An order under subsection (5) may contain such transitional provisions and savings as appear to the Treasury necessary or expedient in connection with the provisions brought into force.

Section 25 Relief from VAT on acquisition if importation would attract relief

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Section 26 Charge and rates for 2002-03

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Section 27 Indexed rate bands for 2002-03: PAYE deductions etc

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Section 28 Personal allowance for 2003-04 for those aged under 65

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Section 29 Personal allowances for 2003-04 for those aged 65 or over

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Section 30 Charge and main rate for financial year 2003

Corporation tax shall be charged for the financial year 2003 at the rate of 30%.

Section 31 Small companies’ rate and fraction for financial year 2002

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Section 32 Corporation tax starting rate and fraction for financial year 2002

For the financial year 2002—

(a) the corporation tax starting rate shall be 0%, and

(b) the fraction mentioned in section 13AA(3) of the Taxes Act 1988 (marginal relief for small companies) shall be 19/400ths.

Section 33 Employer-subsidised public transport bus services

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Section 34 Car fuel: calculation of cash equivalent of benefit

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Section 35 Statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay

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Section 36 Exemption of minor benefits: application to non-cash vouchers

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Section 37 Minor amendments to Schedule E charge

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Section 38 Provision of services through an intermediary: minor amendments

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Section 39 Employee share ownership plans: minor amendments

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Section 40 Treatment of deductions from payments to sub-contractors

(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) In section 829 of the Taxes Act 1988 (application of Income Tax Acts to public departments), after subsection (2) insert—

(2A) Subsections (1) and (2) above have effect in relation to Chapter 4 of Part 13 of this Act (sub-contractors in the construction industry) as if the whole of any deduction required to be made under section 559 were in all cases a deduction of income tax.

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) This section has effect in relation to deductions made under section 559 of the Taxes Act 1988 on or after 6th April 2002.

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Section 41 Parliamentary visits to EU candidate countries: tax treatment of members’ expenses

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Section 42 Reallocation within group of gain or loss accruing under section 179

(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) In Schedule 7B to that Act (modification of Act in relation to overseas life insurance companies), immediately before paragraph 8 insert—

(7A) In section 179A(12), the words “section 11(2)(b), (c) or (d) of the Taxes Act” shall be treated as substituted for “section 10(3)".

(3) In section 97(1) of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 (c. 51) (transfers within group, etc)—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) in paragraph (aa) for “the deemed transfer” substitute “ the election ” .

(4) This section applies—

(a) in relation to a case where a company is treated by virtue of section 179(3) of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (c. 12) as having sold and immediately reacquired an asset, where the company’s ceasing to be a member of the group in question happens on or after 1st April 2002;

(b) in relation to a case where a company is so treated by virtue of section 179(6) of that Act, where the relevant time (within the meaning of that subsection) is on or after that date.

Section 43 Roll-over of degrouping charge on business assets

(1) After section 179A of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (c. 12) (inserted by section 42 above) insert—

Roll-over of degrouping charge on business assets

(179B)

(1) Where a company is treated by virtue of section 179(3) or (6) as having sold and immediately reacquired an asset at market value, relief under section 152 or 153 (roll-over relief on replacement of business assets) is available in accordance with this section in relation to any gain accruing to the company on the deemed sale.

(2) For this purpose, sections 152 and 153 and the other enactments specified in Schedule 7AB apply with the modifications set out in that Schedule.

(3) Where there has been an election under section 179A, any claim for relief available in accordance with this section must be made by company C rather than company A.

(4) For this purpose, the enactments modified by Schedule 7AB have effect as if—

(a) references to company A, except those in sections 152(1)(a) and (1B), 153(1B), 153A(5), 159(1), 175 and 198(1), were to company C;

(b) the references to “ that company ” in section 159(1) and “ the company ” in section 185(3)(b) were to company C;

(c) the reference to “ that trade ” in section 198(1) were to a ring fence trade carried on by company C.

(5) Where there has been an election under section 179A in respect of part only of the chargeable gain accruing on the deemed sale of an asset, the enactments modified by Schedule 7AB and subsections (3) and (4) above apply as if the deemed sale had been of a separate asset representing a corresponding part of the asset; and any necessary apportionments shall be made accordingly.

(6) A reference in this section to company A or to company C is to the company referred to as such in section 179A.

(2) After Schedule 7AA to the 1992 Act insert the Schedule 7AB set out in Schedule 7 to this Act.

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) This section applies—

(a) in relation to a case where a company is treated by virtue of section 179(3) of the 1992 Act as having sold and immediately reacquired an asset, where the company’s ceasing to be a member of the group in question happens on or after 1st April 2002;

(b) in relation to a case where a company is so treated by virtue of section 179(6) of that Act, where the relevant time (within the meaning of that subsection) is on or after that date.

Section 44 Exemptions for disposals by companies with substantial shareholding

(1) In Chapter 1 of Part 6 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (c. 12) (provisions relating to chargeable gains of companies), after section 192 insert—

Disposals by companies with substantial shareholding Exemptions for gains or losses on disposal of shares etc

(192A) Schedule 7AC (exemptions for disposal of shares etc by companies with substantial shareholding) has effect.

(2) Schedule 8 to this Act (exemptions for disposals by companies with substantial shareholding) has effect.

In that Schedule—

Part 1 contains Schedule 7AC to be inserted after Schedule 7AB to the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (c. 12) (inserted by Schedule 7 to this Act); and

Part 2 contains consequential amendments.

(3) This section and Schedule 8 to this Act apply in relation to disposals on or after 1st April 2002.

(4) Paragraph 38 of the Schedule 7AC inserted by that Schedule (degrouping: time when deemed sale and reacquisition treated as taking place) has effect where the time of degrouping or relevant time (as defined for the purposes of that paragraph) is on or after that date.

(5) The amendment made by paragraph 2 of Schedule 8 to this Act has effect where the company in question ceases to be a member of the group in question on or after that date.

Section 45 Share exchanges and company reconstructions

(1) Schedule 9 to this Act (chargeable gains: share exchanges and company reconstructions) has effect.

(2) In that Schedule—

Part 1 provides for the replacement of sections 135 and 136 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992;

Part 2 makes consequential amendments; and

Part 3 provides for commencement.

Section 46 Taper relief: holding period for business assets

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Section 47 Taper relief: minor amendments

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Section 48 Use of trading losses against chargeable gains

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