(1)This section applies if, in calculating for corporation tax purposes the profits of a company (“the employer”) of a period of account, a deduction would otherwise be allowable for the period in respect of employee benefit contributions made or to be made (but see subsection (4)).
(2)No deduction is allowed for the contributions for the period except so far as—
(a)qualifying benefits are provided, or qualifying expenses are paid, out of the contributions during the period or within 9 months from the end of it, or
(b)if the making of the contributions is itself the provision of qualifying benefits, the contributions are made during the period or within 9 months from the end of it.
(3)An amount disallowed under subsection (2) is allowed as a deduction for a subsequent period of account so far as—
(a)qualifying benefits are provided out of the contributions before the end of the subsequent period, or
(b)if the making of the contributions is itself the provision of qualifying benefits, the contributions are made before the end of the subsequent period.
(4)This section does not apply to any deduction that is allowable—
(a)for anything given as consideration for goods or services provided in the course of a trade or profession,
(b)for contributions under a registered pension scheme or under a superannuation fund to which section 615(3) of ICTA applies,
(c)for contributions under a qualifying overseas pension scheme in respect of an individual who is a relevant migrant member of the pension scheme in relation to the contributions,
(d)for contributions under an accident benefit scheme,
(e)under Chapter 1 of Part 11 (share incentive plans),
(f)under section 67 of FA 1989 (qualifying employee share ownership trusts), or
(g)under Part 12 (other relief for employee share acquisitions).
(5)For the purposes of subsection (4)(c) “qualifying overseas pension scheme” and “relevant migrant member” have the same meaning as in Schedule 33 to FA 2004 (see paragraphs 4 to 6 of that Schedule).
(6)See also—
section 1291 (making of “employee benefit contributions”),
section 1292 (provision of qualifying benefits),
section 1293 (timing and amount of certain qualifying benefits),
section 1294 (provision or payment out of employee benefit contributions),
section 1295 (profits calculated before end of 9 month period),
section 1296 (interpretation of sections 1290 to 1296),
section 1297 (some special rules for companies carrying on a life assurance business).