AML Tax (UK) Limited

How the scheme works

There is usually a pre-existing loan between a director/shareholder (the ‘scheme user’) and their company. The user signs an ‘option agreement’ with the company. In return for signing the option agreement, the company releases the user from their obligation to repay the loan. The ‘option’ enters the user into an annuity agreement with the company, under which the user is required to pay an annuity to the company for life, if exercised. However, an ‘early encashment’ mechanism within the annuity agreement enables the company to cancel its option rights for a nominal fee. The company will usually cancel the option so that the scheme users do not pay the annuity or loan repayment. Therefore, the company does not pay Corporation Tax on the loan.