Capital Allowances – Plant and Machinery
- 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 Allowance (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
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 |