CG52633 - Share exchange: anti-avoidance: clearance procedure: bona fide commercial reasons
TCGA1992/S138
HMRC will not give statutory clearance to arrangements that seek to avoid a criminal, civil or regulatory risk or liability. 听
This is because HMRC consider that the 鈥渂ona fide commercial reasons鈥 test expressly requires genuine, 鈥済ood faith鈥 commercial reasons for undertaking the exchange or scheme of reconstruction. 听
Where an applicant is aware of a specific risk or liability of this nature HMRC consider this to be material information. Failure to disclose this in a clearance application could result in the resulting notification being considered void.听 Whether a clearance given is void is ultimately a matter for the Tribunal, see CG52636.
For example 鈥 the X group has subsidiary Y that faces potential prosecution under Health and Safety legislation.听 The arrangements involve transferring the business of Y to a new company, Z, incorporated by the shareholders of X.听 X and Y will then be liquidated.听 This is potentially a scheme of reconstruction within TCGA92/S136.