Commentary on Sections Overview Part 7: Notification of option to Inland Revenue Paragraph 50: Appeals
3553.This paragraph sets out that there is a right of appeal to the Commissioners against a decision by the Inland Revenue that either the grant of an option was not properly notified in accordance with paragraph 44 of this Schedule or that the option does not qualify under EMI. The right of appeal lies with the employer company, although if the decision concerns the “commitment of working time” test in paragraph 26 of this Schedule, it is also open to the individual concerned to appeal. This paragraph derives from paragraph 7 of Schedule 14 to FA 2000.
3554.The replacement of employer company or individual in sub-paragraph (3) with “appellant” makes it clear that only the appellant has the right to elect that the appeal is heard by the Special Commissioners.
3555.The appeal must be made within a 30 day time limit. The source legislation does not make it clear whether or not the 30 day period starts running on the day that the closure notice is given to the employer company or on the day after. Sub-paragraph (3) clarifies this by referring to “within 30 days after the date when the closure notice is given”. So if, for example, the closure notice is given during the course of the day on 1 March 2004 any appeal must be made before 1 April 2004.