Section 55 Crime-related payments

(1) In calculating the profits of a trade, no deduction is allowed for expenses incurred—

(a) in making a payment if the making of the payment constitutes a criminal offence, or

(b) in making a payment outside the United Kingdom if the making of a corresponding payment in any part of the United Kingdom would constitute a criminal offence in that part.

(2) In calculating the profits of a trade, no deduction is allowed for expenses incurred in making a payment induced by a demand which constitutes—

(a) the offence of blackmail under section 21 of the Theft Act 1968 (c. 60) (England and Wales),

(b) the offence of extortion (Scotland), or

(c) the offence of blackmail under section 20 of the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 (c. 16 (N.I.)) (Northern Ireland).