Capital Allowances
Capital gains tax (CGT) rates
The cost of purchasing capital equipment in a business is not a revenue tax deductible expense. However, tax relief is available on certain capital expenditure in the form of capital allowances.
Plant and machinery allowances may be available on items such as machines, equipment, furniture, certain fixtures in a building ('integral features'), computers, cars, vans and similar equipment used in a business.
There are special rules for cars.
Plant and machinery allowances may be available to owners of commercial property which is let out to a business.
The Annual Investment Allowances (AIA) gives a 100% write-off on most types of plant and machinery (but not cars) up to an annual limit.
Writing down allowances (WDA) are given for expenditure for which AIA is not, or cannot be, claimed.
A Structures and Buildings Allowance of 3% may be available for qualifying investments to construct new, or renovate old, non-residential structures and buildings.
AIA
Special rules apply to accounting periods straddling the dates shown in the tables below.
The AIA may need to be shared between certain businesses under common ownership.
AIA limits – companies:
Expenditure Incurred | Annual Limit (£) |
|---|---|
From 1 January 2019 to 31 March 2023 | 1,000,000 |
From 1 April 2023 | 200,000 |
AIA limits – sole traders and partnerships:
Expenditure Incurred | Annual Limit (£) |
|---|---|
From 1 January 2019 to 31 March 2023 | 1,000,000 |
From 1 April 2023 | 200,000 |
Other plant and machinery allowances
Expenditure upon which AIA is not given/claimed will obtain relief through the 'Main rate pool' or the 'Special rate pool' rather than each item being dealt with separately.
The annual rate of WDA is 18% in the 'Main rate pool' and 6% in the 'Special rate pool'.
A 100% first year allowance (FYA) may be available on certain cars.
Between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2023, companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery will benefit from a new FYA. A company will be allowed to claim a super-deduction of 130% on certain new plant and machinery investments that ordinarily qualify for the 18% WDA and a 50% FYA on most new plant and machinery investments that ordinarily qualify for the 6% WDA.
Cars
For expenditure incurred on cars, costs are generally allocated to one of the two plant and machinery pools.
AIA is not available on any car but a 100% FYA may be available on certain cars. To qualify for FYA, the car must be purchased new.
Cars acquired from April 2021:
Emissions (g/km) | Pool | Allowance |
|---|---|---|
0 | Main rate | 100% FYA |
≤ 50 | Main rate | 18% WDA |
> 50 | Special rate | 6% WDA |
Get in touch
If you are in the Lancashire area and are looking for support and advice from a team of professional accountants and business advisers, contact Coates & Co.
Coates & Co
2 Fairhope Avenue
Bare
Morecambe
Lancashire LA4 6JZ
Coates & Co is the trading name of Tony Coates & Co Limited, Registered in England, Registered Number: 6140774
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