BIM45810 - Specific deductions - incidental costs of loan finance: Convertible loan or loan stock

No relief if loan/stock converted within three years - ITTOIA/S59

The general rule described in BIM45801 (that if the interest on a loan or loan stock is an allowable deduction, the costs of obtaining the loan are also deductible) is modified in the case of a convertible loan or convertible loan stock. Broadly speaking, ITTOIA/S59 denies relief if a loan is convertible within three years of its issue; but, to the extent that the option is not exercised, permits relief to be given once the three year period has expired. The purpose of this restriction is to prevent the cost of raising equity capital being charged as a revenue expense by the simple expedient of issuing convertible loan stock with early conversion rights into equity.

These provisions are described in more detail below.

ITTOIA/S59 (1) provides that no deduction is allowed under Section 58 in respect of a loan or loan stock if:

1. it carries the right of conversion into, or to the acquisition of, shares or other securities, and
2. the right is exercisable before the end of the period of three years from the date when the loan was obtained or the stock issued (“the three year period”).

The restriction does not apply if the right is not, or is not wholly, exercised before the end of the three year period (sub-section (3)). In such a case any incidental costs of obtaining finance incurred before the end of the 3 year period are treated as incurred immediately after the end of it (sub-section (4)).

If only part of the loan stock is converted within the three year period then the incidental costs are allowable to the extent that they relate to the part not converted (sub-sections (5) and (6).

Example

A non-resident incorporated landlord issues £50m 10 year loan stock on 1 September 2003, with conversion rights into equity exercisable 6 months after issue and thereafter at yearly intervals for a further 3 years, at rates of conversion which vary according to the date of conversion. The incidental costs of issue totalling £1.5m. are incurred at or about the time of issue. The company makes up its accounts on a calendar year basis. The following amounts of loan stock are converted into ordinary shares:

The total stock converted within 3 years of the date of issue is £8m (1+2+ 5) and the proportion not converted 3 years after issue is therefore 42 / 50.

The relief available will be 42 / 50 x £1.5m. = £1.26m. and this amount is treated as an allowable expense incurred on 1 September 2006; that is, in the accounts year ended 31 December 2006.