Commentary on Sections Overview Overview
757.This Chapter gives statutory effect to ESC B38. See part (A) Change 50 in Annex 1. The extra-statutory concession provides relief for trade debts that cannot be remitted to the United Kingdom. It is similar in scope to section 584 of ICTA, which is rewritten as Chapter 4 in Part 8 of this Act.
758.Section 584 of ICTA provides relief for unremittable income arising outside the United Kingdom, including unremittable trade profits. But relief under section 584 of ICTA does not extend to trade debts owed to, or paid to, the trader outside the United Kingdom if the profits of the trade arise in the United Kingdom. This Chapter provides relief for such debts and payments.
759.ESC B38 requires the relief to be claimed. Under this Chapter the relief is allowed as a deduction without the need for a formal claim. See part (B) Change 50 in Annex 1.
760.The deduction is not mandatory if the qualifying conditions are met. A taxpayer can choose whether or not to include the deduction in his or her tax return. If a deduction is taken the recovery provisions in section 191 follow automatically.