GREIT06045 - Leaving the regime: early exit: Direction by HMRC
If a company or group leaves the regime as a result of a notice given by HMRC under section 129 FA 2006, or automatic termination under section 130 FA 2006 as a result of breaching Company Conditions 1, 2, 5 or 6, then the timing of leaving the regime and the tax consequences can be altered by direction of HMRC.
If the event that triggers the notice is within ten years of joining, HMRC can not only specify when the regime ceases to apply to the company, but may also remove tax exemption from the property rental business (section 133 FA 2006). HMRC can also modify the application of the UK-REIT rules to the company, and the application of other CT provisions. In particular, HMRC can prevent a loss, deficit or expense being set off or otherwise at all or in a specified manner.
The mechanism for doing this is for HMRC to make a direction under section 132(2) FA 2006. The company can appeal if they receive such a direction.
Example
HMRC may decide to issue a direction under section 132(2) in the following circumstances. In this case, the direction is triggered by the company breaching a condition of section 107 FA 2006 that would result in termination of the regime within 10 years of joining.
Company C joined the UK-REIT regime on 1 January 2007. It makes up accounts to 31 December. In early 2012, C discovers an office block that was involved in the tax-exempt business is riddle with asbestos. C manages to sell it on the open market in June 2012 for 350. The property cost 500 in 1990; its market value on joining the regime was 2,500, and at 31 December 2011, its market value (before the asbestos was discovered) was 2,800.
The company issues a new, B class, of ordinary shares in July 2012.
Issuing the B class shares is a breach of Company Condition 5 in section 107 FA 2006. Normally, this would disapply the UK-REIT regime to the company with effect from 31 December 2011 (the accounting period before the trigger event - section 130(2) FA 2006). This would mean the 2,450 loss on disposal (market value on leaving the regime less sale proceeds) would be an allowable loss for TCGA purpose.
HMRC may take the view that the company deliberately triggered exit from the regime by issuing the B class shares, in order to access that loss. It may decide to issue a direction under section 132(2) FA 2006 to prevent that. It may direct that termination is 31 December 2012, which would mean the loss accrues to the tax-exempt business and is therefore not capable of use elsewhere. Or HMRC may direct that termination is 31 December 2011 but that the loss is not allowable.
Group REITs
For Group REITs, the consequences of leaving early apply when the principal company of the group gives notice for the group as a whole to leave the regime within ten years of joining or a company is a member of a Group REIT for less than ten years - see GREIT11320 for details.
