The meaning of trade for tax purposes - Makesworth Accountants

The meaning of trade for tax purposes

trade for tax purposes

The meaning of trade for tax purposes

Interestingly, there is no statutory definition of ‘trade’. The only statutory reference to the term states that ‘trade’ includes a ‘venture in the nature of trade’. This absence of statutory clarity has left definition – is a certain activity a trade or not – to the courts, and they have set some established guidance.

This effectively suggests that the term ‘trade’ can be taken to refer to operations of a commercial kind, by which the trader provides to customers for reward with some kind of goods or services.

The courts have also found the so-called ‘badges of trade’ tests to be helpful indicators of trading in some cases. The tests, whilst not conclusive, are used to help determine whether an activity is an economic / business activity or merely a money-making side line to a hobby.

It is clear from the significant amount of case law on this subject that a decision on whether there is indeed a trade is often not black and white. Even if HMRC consider that the activities in question are a trade, taxpayers can make up to £1,000 per year from their ‘trade’ using the trading allowance that was introduced in April 2017.

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See also  Tax Diary August/September 2019

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