The AIA is generally aimed at small to medium sized businesses and investors and enables Capital Allowances of 100% to be claimed on most types of purchases of plant or machinery, excluding cars.In recent years HMRC has tinkered with the AIA and up to December 2015, maximum rates have varied between £25,000 and £500,000. From 1 January 2016 the Chancellor announced the AIA had been reduced to a permanent figure of £200,000.
From 1 January 2019 there has been a temporary increase in the AIA to £1,000,000 which will continue until 31 December 2020. For entities with a 31 December year end the AIA calculation will be straight forward but anti-avoidance measures have been introducted to companies with other year ends to ensure the correct amount of AIA is given during the 2 year period.
This generous relief will now enable most businesses to claim Capital Allowances on the whole of their capital expenditure on plant or machinery in the year of purchase.
Eg. a partnership making a net profit of £1.5m in the year ending 31 December 2019 purchases a new head office for £4m and following a specialist survey it is established £1m qualifies for Capital Allowances. The whole of the £1m can be claimed against profits in the year ending 31 December 2019 reducing the overall tax bill from £675,000 to £225,000.
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