Introduction Background
3.HMFs are a statutory device enabling property to be held in trust so that the income from that property can be used for the repair and maintenance of historic buildings which are open to the public. Subject to a number of prescribed conditions being met, there is relief from capital gains tax on transfers of such property into an HMF.
4.The relief is subject to a number of anti-avoidance provisions. One of these limits eligibility to those trusts that have elected that income from trust property is to be treated as accruing to the trust rather than the settler (“the election”); however the effect of the election is that payments to a settlor for use on the upkeep of the historic property triggers a further charge to tax upon the settlor.
5.The amendment made by this section retains a restriction upon eligibility for the relief; however, so long as the trust satisfies the conditions for making the election, the requirement that it actually have done so is removed.