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.  

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. 

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.

For expenditure incurred on cars, costs are generally allocated to one of the two plant and machinery pools.

To qualify for FYA, the car must be purchased new.

CO2 emissions of 0 are eligible to 100% FYA

CO2 emissions of less than 50 are eligible to main rate of capital allowances (18%)

CO2 emissions of more than 50 are eligible to special rate of capital allowances (6%)