INTM164120 - UK residents with foreign income or gains: dividends: Underlying tax - computation of relevant profits

For dividends paid to the UK on or after 21 March 2000 TIOPA10/S59(8) (previously ICTA88/S799(5) to (7)) defines the distributable profits for the purposes of calculating the underlying tax rate. In particular the accounts must be drawn up in accordance with the law of the foreign State and no provisions can be made for reserves, etc., other than those required under that law. These are then the basis for the “relevant profits” defined by TIOPA10/S59.

For dividends paid to the UK before 31 March 2001 it was possible for a company to specify that the dividend was paid out of specified profits, or for a specified period. For dividends paid to the UK on or after that date TIOPA10/S59 (4) & (5) (previously ICTA88\S799(3)) has been amended so that it is only possible to specify a period.

Where it appears that a group company, resident or not, has manipulated reserves, etc to distort the rate of underlying tax a brief note of the facts should be sent to CSTD, Business Assets & International Base Protection Policy Team. Alternatively this information should be provided when making a request for an underlying tax rate in respect of a foreign dividend received by a UK company from a non-resident group company (INTM164440).