Capital Allowances 2019/20

Plant and machinery allowances

Rate
Annual Investment Allowance (AIA)
– expenditure 1.1.19 – 31.12.20£1,000,000100%
– expenditure pre 1.1.19£200,000100%
Energy/water-efficient equipment100%
Writing down allowance – general pool (reducing balance)18%
Writing down allowance – special rate pool (reducing balance)6%

Notes

  1. Neither capital expenditure nor depreciation is generally allowed as an expense.
  2. The writing down allowance (WDA) spreads the cost over several years, and is not related to the accounting depreciation.
  3. Special rate pool includes long life assets, plant integral to buildings and thermal insulation. The WDA on this pool was 8% pa prior to 1 April 2019 (companies) and 6 April 2019 (unincorporated businesses and LLPs). A time-apportioned rate of WDA is calculated for accounting periods straddling the change date.

Motor cars purchased

From 1.4.18Allowance
CO2 (g/km)
New cars onlyUp to 50100%
In general poolUp to 11018% pa
In special rate poolabove 1106% pa

Notes

  1. The WDA on the special rate pool was 8% pa prior to 1 April 2019 (companies) and 6 April 2019 (unincorporated businesses and LLPs).
  2. Unincorporated businesses: the allowance is reduced for private use of the car.

Structures and buildings allowances (SBA)

Expenditure from 29.10.18 (straight line basis)2%

Notes

The SBA is available on commercial buildings and structures used for a qualifying purpose. It is not available on residences, nor on the cost of land itself.