News – 08.10.24
Buzzacott advises Haines Watts North London on its sale to Duncan & Toplis
Discover how Buzzacott advised Haines Watts North London on its sale to Duncan & Toplis … Read more
Insight – 04.10.24
Autumn Budget: How could this affect your finances?
With the Autumn Budget fast approaching, many are concerned about the impact it may have on their finances. … Read more
Upcoming event – 07.11.24
VAT on private school fees webinar
Join us for an exclusive webinar on the new VAT policy for private schools. … Read more
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An LEI is a unique 20-character alphanumeric code that identifies distinct legal entities (including charities) that engage in financial transactions, including transactions in listed investments. It is an international identifier and is not limited to the United Kingdom. The code is entered on a global database. It enables any legal entity that is party to a financial transaction such as buying and selling listed investments to be identified in any jurisdiction.
Legal entities in almost 200 countries are now required to have an LEI. From 3 January 2018 UK investment managers will not be able to execute investment transactions on behalf of clients who do not have a LEI.
Because the code is an international requirement, a Charity Registration Number or any other form of UK identifier do not qualify as alternatives.
The LEI system was developed by the G20 group of countries in an attempt to reduce financial risk, limit tax evasion and other financial misconduct. The system seeks to identify, by means of a unique identity code, all organisations that are trading in financial investments so that their financial transactions can be tracked across different national jurisdictions and borders. This helps to ensure that such transactions are legal and that tax is being deducted by the relevant tax authorities when and where payable. More importantly, it helps governments and financial institutions to assess and manage the exposure of UK organisations to international debt and financial risk in the event of a crisis such as the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
If you are a charity that wishes your investment managers to trade in investments or continue to act on your behalf, you may need to obtain an LEI code before 3 January 2018. Before doing anything, you should check with your investment manager as to whether you need a code or not. If your investment manager manages a segregated portfolio of stocks and shares on your behalf, you will probably need one. You will only need to apply for one unique code regardless of how many investment managers you have.
Many investment managers are contacting their clients now to arrange for the codes to be obtained. Some investment managers will apply and obtain the code on behalf of their clients whereas others are asking their clients to obtain a code directly. If your investment manager offers to obtain an LEI for you, this may be far easier than applying for one yourself!
If your investment manager requires you to obtain a code directly, the easiest way of doing this is through the London Stock Exchange Group. Instructions as to how to go about doing this are attached.
Inevitably the answer is “yes”. The initial cost to apply for an LEI is £115 plus VAT. Thereafter, there will be an annual renewal fee of £70 plus VAT per annum. Renewal will be via the London Stock Exchange Group again unless your investment manager has agreed to do this on your behalf.
Applications can be made on-line and your charity’s name, address and certain supporting data and documents will need to be provided. Charitable trusts, for example, are likely to need to provide their trust deeds as part of the application. The London Stock Exchange aims to turn around applications in one to three working days.
The global crisis of 2007/08 highlighted the need for an international system of identifying risk from the collapse of financial institutions and to assess financial stability. The system of LEIs applies to legal entities such as governmental bodies, companies and charities. While it may be seen as yet another piece of bureaucracy, it is an important step forward in managing global financial risk.
Charities with investment portfolios should contact their investment managers as soon as possible to ascertain whether or not they need an LEI and whether or not they need to apply directly for one or whether the manager will do so on their behalf.
For more information or advice tailored to your circumstances, please speak to your usual Buzzacott contact or email enquiries@buzzacott.co.uk
An LEI is a unique 20-character alphanumeric code that identifies distinct legal entities (including charities) that engage in financial transactions, including transactions in listed investments. It is an international identifier and is not limited to the United Kingdom. The code is entered on a global database. It enables any legal entity that is party to a financial transaction such as buying and selling listed investments to be identified in any jurisdiction.
Legal entities in almost 200 countries are now required to have an LEI. From 3 January 2018 UK investment managers will not be able to execute investment transactions on behalf of clients who do not have a LEI.
Because the code is an international requirement, a Charity Registration Number or any other form of UK identifier do not qualify as alternatives.
The LEI system was developed by the G20 group of countries in an attempt to reduce financial risk, limit tax evasion and other financial misconduct. The system seeks to identify, by means of a unique identity code, all organisations that are trading in financial investments so that their financial transactions can be tracked across different national jurisdictions and borders. This helps to ensure that such transactions are legal and that tax is being deducted by the relevant tax authorities when and where payable. More importantly, it helps governments and financial institutions to assess and manage the exposure of UK organisations to international debt and financial risk in the event of a crisis such as the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
If you are a charity that wishes your investment managers to trade in investments or continue to act on your behalf, you may need to obtain an LEI code before 3 January 2018. Before doing anything, you should check with your investment manager as to whether you need a code or not. If your investment manager manages a segregated portfolio of stocks and shares on your behalf, you will probably need one. You will only need to apply for one unique code regardless of how many investment managers you have.
Many investment managers are contacting their clients now to arrange for the codes to be obtained. Some investment managers will apply and obtain the code on behalf of their clients whereas others are asking their clients to obtain a code directly. If your investment manager offers to obtain an LEI for you, this may be far easier than applying for one yourself!
If your investment manager requires you to obtain a code directly, the easiest way of doing this is through the London Stock Exchange Group. Instructions as to how to go about doing this are attached.
Inevitably the answer is “yes”. The initial cost to apply for an LEI is £115 plus VAT. Thereafter, there will be an annual renewal fee of £70 plus VAT per annum. Renewal will be via the London Stock Exchange Group again unless your investment manager has agreed to do this on your behalf.
Applications can be made on-line and your charity’s name, address and certain supporting data and documents will need to be provided. Charitable trusts, for example, are likely to need to provide their trust deeds as part of the application. The London Stock Exchange aims to turn around applications in one to three working days.
The global crisis of 2007/08 highlighted the need for an international system of identifying risk from the collapse of financial institutions and to assess financial stability. The system of LEIs applies to legal entities such as governmental bodies, companies and charities. While it may be seen as yet another piece of bureaucracy, it is an important step forward in managing global financial risk.
Charities with investment portfolios should contact their investment managers as soon as possible to ascertain whether or not they need an LEI and whether or not they need to apply directly for one or whether the manager will do so on their behalf.
For more information or advice tailored to your circumstances, please speak to your usual Buzzacott contact or email enquiries@buzzacott.co.uk
As a charitable organisation, there are a wide range of exemptions you can make the most of for taxes, including corporation tax, income tax, stamp duty and business rates. You can also benefit from tax reliefs such as Gift Aid and Social Investment Tax Relief, which provide further opportunities for charities to thrive.
Our not-for-profit tax team help to ensure your charity is fully tax-compliant and structured optimally to make the best use of the reliefs you’re entitled to.
Unlike others, we have separate dedicated tax specialists who work within our charity and not-for-profit team. Having chosen to specialise in the sector, most have trained as charity experts from day one. This means you have a team of experts at your disposal who really understand your sector and needs.
You can count on regular tax communications on developments and insights relevant to your industry, including our annual charity tax updates after the Chancellor’s Autumn and Spring Budgets. We also offer topical tax update seminars and bespoke fundraising workshops, keeping you up to speed with the latest requirements and opportunities.
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