All bank accounts and building society accounts held jointly by
married couples and civil partners in the UK are held by them as
joint owners. In such accounts each owner is entitled jointly to
the whole account, and any income from it is paid to both parties
jointly. The property is not held in shares at all. So the couple
cannot make an election under S282B ICTA 1988 in respect of such
accounts.
If the form is used to try to make an election for bank
accounts or building society accounts, and there is no further
evidence supplied, you should return the form pointing out the
guidance on page 1 of the form at 'Bank and Building Society
accounts'.
If a married couple or civil partners want to hold money in
bank accounts or building society accounts on an unequal basis,
they will usually hold separate accounts. Exceptionally, a married
couple or civil partners may decide to keep a joint account, but
change the basis from 'joint ownership' to some other basis. If
that is so, and they wish to make an election on form 17, they must
submit evidence that they have legally changed the basis. In such
cases, submit the case to HMRC Trusts Head Office Edinburgh.
