CTM01750 - Corporation Tax: rates of tax

CTA09/S8, CTA10/S3 (2),(3), CTA10/S279A

Finance Acts determine the rates of CT chargeable for a financial year (CTM01405).

For financial years up to and including 2014, CTA10/S3 and S18 provide for special rates of CT to be charged on UK resident companies with smaller profits which are not close investment-holding companies (CTM60700 onwards). Broadly this means companies whose profits do not exceed the ‘marginal relief upper limit’ formerly referred to as the ‘upper relevant maximum amount’ (CTM03500 onwards). From the financial year 2015 on, the small profits rate of tax was abolished for companies other than oil and gas companies with ring fence profits.

For financial years 2000 to 2005 ICTA88/S13AA provided for companies resident in the UK which are not close investment holding companies or investment trusts with rental income to pay CT at a lower starting rate where their profits did not exceed the ‘first relevant amount’ (CTM03510)

The rates of CT, and relevant limits and fractions, applicable to smaller profits for the financial year 1989 onwards are detailed at CTM03510.

Where an accounting period straddles 31 March, it will fall partly into two different financial years, in which case:

  • the profits are apportioned on a time basis between the two financial years (CTM01405), and
  • each portion is charged at the rate for the relevant financial year.

The full rates of CT for the financial years 1989 onwards are shown below. For companies with oil and gas activity ring fence profits these rates differ. The main ring fence profits rate is 30% for financial years 2008 to 2020.

Financial Year (commencing 1 April in calendar year) Full Rate
1989 35%
1990 34%
1991 33%
1992 33%
1993 33%
1994 33%
1995 33%
1996 33%
1997 31%
1998 31%
1999 30%
2000 30%
2001 30%
2002 30%
2003 30%
2004 30%
2005 30%
2006 30%
2007 30%
2008 28%
2009 28%
2010 28%
2011 26%
2012 24%
2013 23%
2014 21%
2015 20%
2016 20%
2017 19%
2018 19%
2019 19%
2020 19%
2021 19%
2022 19%