CFM80220 - Old rules: loan relationships: authorised accounting methods: accruals basis: authorised arrangements for bad debt: conditions

Conditions for authorised arrangements for bad debt

This guidance applies to periods of account beginning before 1 January 2005

The authorised accruals basis can reflect provisions for bad and doubtful debts on a loan relationship where

• the creditor company is unconnected to the debtor, or there is a connection but any of the exceptions in FA96/SCH9/PARA6(4), 6A or 6B apply, and
• the accounting method requires recoveries and write-ups to be brought in.

Connections

FA96/SCH9/PARA5 allows a departure from the assumption that all amounts will be received in full and on time. However, FA96/SCH9/PARA6 does not allow such a departure in most circumstances, where there is a connection between the parties to the debt. For more information on Para 6, see CFM81100+.

Recoveries

Para 5(2) ensures that corresponding adjustments are made if

• some or all of a debt previously written off is subsequently recovered, or
• the debt is no longer wholly or partly within Para 5. This could be because

• the debt is no longer estimated to be bad, and a provision is no longer needed, or
• the companies have become connected, so (following Para 6), Para 5 can’t apply.