Section 639: Pensions in respect of death due to military or war service
2536.This section exempts pensions and allowances paid on death due to service in the armed forces, wartime service in the merchant navy or war injuries. It derives from section 318 of ICTA.
2537.Paragraph (a) applies to pensions and allowances paid in respect of both civilians and members of the armed forces. It derives from section 318(2)(a) of ICTA. Section 318(2) identifies the exempted pensions in general terms. This avoids the need to identify the specific schemes under which the pensions are paid. The section follows the pragmatic approach of section 318(2). This is because the pensions are paid under a range of schemes. It avoids the need to amend primary tax legislation every time a new scheme is introduced.
2538.Paragraph (b) applies to pensions and allowances paid in respect of members of the armed forces who died in peacetime service before the 1939–1945 war. It derives from section 318(2)(b) of ICTA.
2539.Paragraph (c) applies to pensions and allowances paid by countries outside the United Kingdom. It derives from section 318(2)(c) of ICTA.
