The concept of residence is important because corporation tax is chargeable on the worldwide profits of any company that is resident in the UK. The liability may be reduced by exemption or relief under a double taxation agreement or by unilateral relief. Non-UK resident companies are only liable to UK corporation tax on certain sources of income, such as profits attributable to a trade of dealing in or developing UK land, for example.

This guidance note outlines when a company will be treated as resident in the UK. There may also be tax consequences when the residence of a company changes.

See the Inbound migration and Outbound migration guidance notes.

A company will be treated as resident in the UK if it is incorporated in the UK (the ‘statutory test’ ― CTA 2009, s 14) or centrally managed and controlled in the UK (the ‘case law test’). See also the Non-UK companies subject to UK tax guidance note for further commentary