UK Tax Strategy

Publication and effective date: 31st December 2023

Introduction

This UK tax strategy (“The Strategy“), approved by the Boards of the relevant UK subsidiaries (as set out in Appendix A) of S&P Global Inc. (collectively “S&P UK”), sets out S&P UK’s policy and approach to conducting its tax affairs and dealing with tax risk, and is made available to all S&P UK stakeholders, in accordance with paragraph 19(2) and 22(2) Schedule 19 to the Finance Act 2016¹.

S&P UK’s Tax Department (“UK Tax Department”) is accountable for the implementation of The Strategy and the overall management of all UK taxes and associated tax risk. The Strategy is periodically reviewed and any amendments will be approved by the board of directors of each of the relevant S&P UK entities.  

The Strategy is guided by S&P Global Inc.’s core values of Integrity, Discovery and Partnership; these values reflect an ongoing commitment to our employees, customers, and the brands of S&P Global Inc. https://www.spglobal.com/who-we-are/our-company.

Tax Risk Management

S&P UK seeks to reduce the level of tax risk arising from its operations as far as is reasonably practicable by ensuring that reasonable care is applied in relation to all processes which could materially affect its compliance with its tax obligations.

S&P UK manages tax risk by employing appropriately qualified and experienced employees. Responsibility and accountability for S&P UK’s tax affairs resides primarily with the UK Tax Department and is clearly defined with decisions being taken at a suitable level; including board approval and engagement with HMRC, where appropriate.

S&P UK’s approach to tax risk follows the same principles that apply to all other business risks and diligent professional care and judgement is applied in assessing tax risks in order to arrive at wellreasoned conclusions on how these risks should be managed. When making decisions on tax risk, the materiality of any item is taken into consideration, as well as the costs of effective risk mitigation actions. Specifically, there are no pre-defined limits of the amount of acceptable tax risk as it will be judged on an issue by issue basis.

Where there is uncertainty as to the application or interpretation of tax law, appropriate written advice evidencing the facts, risks and conclusions may be taken from third party advisers to support the decision-making process.

Attitude to Tax Planning

S&P UK believes that it should pay the amounts of tax legally due in the UK and will not engage in transactions lacking commercial substance whose main purpose is to avoid UK taxation or to defeat the stated purpose of the legislation. Additionally, S&P UK is committed to undertaking transfer pricing using the arm’s length principle. In circumstances where there is uncertainty surrounding the interpretation of tax law and the amount of tax due may not be clearly defined, or where alternative approaches to transactions may result in differing tax outcomes. As such where multiple legitimate options are available to implement a transaction, the most tax-efficient method will normally be chosen.

External advice may be sought in relation to tax planning or areas of complexity or uncertainty to support S&P UK in complying with The Strategy. The UK Tax Department uses its best judgement in determining the appropriate course of action, using available reliefs and incentives where possible, where these are:

• not considered to carry significant reputational risk or significant risk of damaging our current or future working relationship with HMRC;
• aligned with the intended policy objectives of the UK Government which introduced the incentives; and
• aligned with our business or operational objectives.

Working with HMRC

S&P UK strives to comply with all relevant compliance and disclosure requirements in an open and transparent manner ensuring that all information provided to HMRC is clearly presented.

In its dealings with HMRC, S&P UK is committed to act in a collaborative, courteous and timely manner. S&P UK’s aim is to strive for early agreement on disputed matters, achieve certainty wherever possible, and thus minimise tax risk. We will seek to achieve this through:

• maintaining an ongoing open dialogue with our Customer Relationship Manager;
• continuing to host regular face-to-face meetings with HMRC to discuss current business initiatives and transactions; and
• where appropriate, seeking pre-transaction clearances from HMRC.

Footnotes:
1. UK tax legislation which received Royal Assent on 15th September 2016