HMRC has merged the non-statutory business and non-business clearance regimes into a single entity called Other Non-Statutory Clearance (ONSC) service to help tax advisers define the tax status of transactions.

The latest guidance is now available and covers the merged service for those seeking non-statutory clearance or approval for transactions other than the non-statutory transactions that have been specifically identified by HMRC as company migrations. It also covers controlled foreign companies, UK investment support, and schemes for creative industries and small companies, including the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme.

Where a particular transaction is not covered by a more appropriate clearance or approval route and they remain uncertain about HMRC's interpretation of recent tax legislation, HMRC will provide written clarification. The advice can generally be relied upon provided the information supplied is accurate and complete, and the applicant carries out the proposed transactions exactly as described.

The service is effective from 8 August 2013.

More details are available from HMRC