Part 7Tax treatment of financing costs and income

CHAPTER 2Application of Part

263Net debt of a company

1

References in section 262 to the “net debt” of a company as at any date are to—

a

the sum of the company’s relevant liabilities as at that date, less

b

the sum of the company’s relevant assets as at that date.

2

The amount determined in accordance with subsection (1) may be a negative amount.

3

For the purposes of this section, a company’s “relevant liabilities” as at any date are the amounts that are disclosed in the balance sheet of the company as at that date in respect of—

a

amounts borrowed (whether by way of overdraft or other short term or long term borrowing),

b

liabilities in respect of finance leases, or

c

amounts of such other description as may be specified in regulations made by the Commissioners.

4

For the purposes of this section, a company’s “relevant assets” as at any date are the amounts that are disclosed in the balance sheet of the company as at that date in respect of—

a

cash and cash equivalents,

b

amounts loaned (whether by way of overdraft or other short term or long term loan),

c

net investments, or net cash investments, in finance leases,

d

securities of Her Majesty’s government or of the government of any other country or territory, or

e

amounts of such other description as may be specified in regulations made by the Commissioners.

5

Expressions used in subsections (3)(a) and (b) and (4)(a) to (c) have the meaning for the time being given by generally accepted accounting practice.