Development of the concept of economic substance in the United Kingdom

Abstract

One of the ways of countering tax avoidance is investigating and examining of taxpayers’ activities from the perspective of their economic substance. This can be achieved through judicial doctrines comprising the element of economic substance as well as through specific legislation (ex. codified General Anti-Avoidance Rules). In United Kingdom the judicial doctrines basing on the concept of economic substance are not commonly applied. On one hand Britain did not integrate the well-developed American anti-avoidance doctrines (economic substance, business purpose, substance over form). On the other hand the doctrines developed by domestic jurisdiction (Ramsay principle, New Approach) finally do not entitle the courts to rule according to business substance and disregarding the letter of law. However the element of economic substance is indirectly considered in the British General Anti-Abuse Rule.