CA26850 - PMA: Fixtures: Election procedure

CAA01/S200 - S201

An election under CAA01/S198 or S199 must be made by notice in writing to the Inland Revenue.

It should contain the following information:

  • the amount fixed by the election,
  • the name of each person making the election,
  • information sufficient to identify the fixture and the relevant land,
  • particulars of the interest acquired by or the lease granted to the purchaser; and
  • the tax district references of each of the persons making the election.

The election is irrevocable.

The time limit for making the election is two years after the time when the interest is acquired by the buyer or the buyer is granted the lease.

A copy of the election must be included with each party's return for the first period affected by it. This will normally be the period in which the disposal or acquisition takes place.

The amount apportioned to the fixture must be quantified when the election is made.

There may be cases where because of circumstances arising after the making of the election the maximum amount is reduced below the figure specified in the election. If this happens the election is deemed to have specified the reduced maximum amount.

Where an election is made by a partnership, the return that the election must accompany is the partnership return.

The fixtures rules work on an asset-by-asset basis. In practice, you may accept a degree of amalgamation of assets where this will not distort the tax computation. Provided that there are no specific factors which could give rise to distortion, you may accept an election covering all the fixtures in a particular property but not for a portfolio of properties.

Where a body of Commissioners has to determine a question relating to a Section 198 or Section 199 election:

  1. each of the persons who made the election is entitled to appear and be heard by, or make written representations to, the Commissioners;

  2. the Commissioners will determine the question separately from any other question;

  3. their determination has effect as if it was the determination of an appeal to which each of the persons who made the election was a party.