If we write off debts after a CVA is the debt reduction a taxable gain or subject to tax in any way?"

Debts written off in Company Voluntary Arrangements are not subject to tax. Under s144 Finance Act 1994 any debts that are written off as a result of a properly agreed company voluntary arrangement are not subject to taxation.  This was by s74 ICTA 1988 (to effectively allow relief for debits on the release of debts where the creditor released it as part of a statutory insolvency arrangement, as defined) and s94 (to prevent a credit being taxed where the release was part of a statutory insolvency arrangement). 


The relevant statutory provisions for the release of debts under a statutory insolvency arrangement will depend upon whether the debt is deemed to have been a part of a loan relationship.

The definition of ‘statutory insolvency arrangement’ is in s1319 CTA 2009, which applies for the purposes of the Act.  These include CVAs

This exemption also applies to a Scheme of Arrangement under s425 of the Companies Act 1985.

Thus, the debt representing the written off 70p in the example above would become revenue reserve.

For further details see this extract from The Finance Act 1994 below

144 Debts released in voluntary arrangement: relief from tax

(1) In the Taxes Act 1988, in section 74 (general rules as to deductions not allowable), for paragraph (j) (debts not allowable except in certain circumstances) there shall be substituted—

“(j) any debts except—

(i) a bad debt proved to be such;

(ii) a debt or part of a debt released by the creditor wholly and exclusively for the purposes of his trade, profession or vocation as part of a relevant arrangement or compromise; and

(iii) a doubtful debt to the extent estimated to be bad, meaning, in the case of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the debtor, the debt except to the extent that any amount may reasonably be expected to be received on the debt;”.

(2) The provisions of that section shall become subsection (1) of that section and after that subsection there shall be inserted—

(2) In paragraph (j) of subsection (1) above “relevant arrangement or compromise” means—

(a) a voluntary arrangement which has taken effect under or by virtue of the [1986 c. 45.] Insolvency Act 1986 or the [S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19).] Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989; or

(b) a compromise or arrangement which has taken effect under section 425 of the [1985 c. 6.] Companies Act 1985 or Article 418 of the [S.I. 1986/1032 (N.I. 6).] Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.”

(3) In the Taxes Act 1988—

(a) in section 94 (debts deducted and subsequently released) after the word “released” where it first occurs, and

(b) in section 103(4)(b) (debts deducted before, but released after, discontinuance of trade, etc.) after the word “released”,

there shall be inserted “otherwise than as part of a relevant arrangement or compromise”.

(4) The provisions of section 94 of the Taxes Act 1988 shall become subsection (1) of that section and after that subsection there shall be inserted—

“(2) In subsection (1) above “relevant arrangement or compromise” has the same meaning as in section 74.”

(5) After section 103(4) of the Taxes Act 1988 there shall be inserted—

“(4A) In subsection (4)(b) above “relevant arrangement or compromise” has the same meaning as in section 74.”

(6) Subsection (1) above shall have effect, for the purposes of determining (in computing the amount of profits or gains to be charged under Case I or Case II of Schedule D) whether any sum should be deducted in respect of any debt, in relation to debts—

(a) proved to be bad,

(b) released as part of—

(i) a voluntary arrangement which has taken effect under or by virtue of the [1986 c. 45.] Insolvency Act 1986 or the [S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19).] Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, or,

(ii) a compromise or arrangement which has taken effect under section 425 of the [1985 c. 6.] Companies Act 1985 or Article 418 of the [S.I. 1986/1032 (N.I. 6).] Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, and

(c) estimated to be bad,

if the proof, release or estimation occurs on or after 30th November 1993.

(7) Subsection (3) above shall have effect in relation to the release on or after 30th November 1993 of the whole or any part of any debt.