INTM208040 - Controlled Foreign Companies: exemptions - the motive test: The transaction leg of the motive test: statutory definition

ICTA88/SCH25/PARA16 and ICTA88/SCH25/PARA17

To determine whether the facts fit the statutory definition, three questions need to be answered:

1. are the results of the transaction(s) reflected in the controlled foreign company’s profits for an accounting period?

2. have those transaction(s) achieved a reduction in United Kingdom tax?

3. was the reduction in United Kingdom tax more than minimal?

Only if the answer to all of the above three questions is yes, will a transaction achieve a more than minimal reduction in UK tax. If the answer to any of the questions is no, the transaction leg will not be in point and there will be no need to consider the second (motive) element.