Market leading insight for tax experts
View online issue

Donovan & McLaren v HMRC

Whether dividend waivers constitute settlement

In Donovan & McLaren v HMRC (TC03188 – 6 January 2014) the issue was whether dividend waivers executed by the appellants in favour of their wives constituted a settlement for income tax purposes. If they did then under ITTOIA 2005 s 624 the dividends remained taxable in the hands of the appellants as settlors unless the appellants were able to show that the waivers were ‘outright gifts’ (s 626).

The tribunal rejected the appellants’ contention that the waivers had been executed to maintain the company’s reserves and cash balances and found that the intention behind the waivers was tax geared; ‘to bring about a near equalisation of the appellants’ and their wives’ dividend income thereby reducing their aggregate liability to income tax’.

Furthermore applying Jones v Garnett [2007] UKHL 35 the tribunal noted that a tax purpose was not necessary...

If you or your firm subscribes to Taxjournal.com, please click the login box below:

If you do not subscribe but are a registered user, please enter your details in the following boxes:

Alternatively, you can register free of charge to read a limited amount of subscriber content per month.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email directing you back to read this article in full.
Please reach out to customer services at +44 (0) 330 161 1234 or 'customer.services@lexisnexis.co.uk' for further assistance.
EDITOR'S PICKstar
Top