THE GOVERNMENT’S ‘Super-deduction’ tax relief hopes to boost business investment and productivity.

In today’s Shipleys Tax brief we look at the basics of this new temporary deduction regime and why timing and good record-keeping are essential for businesses to take full advantage.

What is the 130% super-deduction?

From 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2023 expenditure on qualifying on “new and unused” plant and machinery will get an enhanced temporary 130% “first-year allowance” for main rate assets, and a 50% first-year allowance for special rate assets. This means for the 130% tax deduction every £1 spend on qualifying items will get you 25p off your corporation tax bill.

What are the conditions?

• Only plant and machinery qualifying as “main pool” expenditure will be eligible for the 130% super-deduction.  Other plant and machinery qualifying as special rate pool expenditure will be eligible for the 50% “Special Rate” allowance.

• These new allowances are only available to companies subject to corporation tax (not individuals, partnerships or LLPs) and only where the contract for the plant and machinery (including fixtures installed under a construction contract) was entered into after 3 March 2021.

• These allowances are uncapped and are in addition to the Annual Investment Allowance (‘AIA’) which is still also available to businesses and groups until 31 December 2021.

• Second-hand assets, even if expenditure is incurred after 1 April 2021, will be excluded.

• Plant and machinery expenditure which is incurred under a Hire Purchase or similar contract must meet additional conditions to qualify for the super-deduction and special rate relief.

• These new allowances do not apply to expenditure on long life assets, cars or for plant and machinery acquired for leasing, including plant and machinery leased with property.

• Companies using finance/hire-purchase type arrangements to invest in plant and machinery would be able to access the super-deduction, provided payments are being made to acquire the asset and there is an expectation that legal ownership will pass at some point to the lessee on it exercising an option or another event occurring. 

• Software developed in-house that has been treated as an intangible fixed asset in the accounts could potentially qualify.

What should you do?

The new allowances could provide a big cash flow incentive for investment, if claimed correctly. Given the limited lifespan of the tax break and the timings involved in decisions on expenditure on plant and machinery, businesses should start planning now. If you’re thinking of making any investments in plant and machinery, think about bringing it forward or delaying until after 1 April 2021 to take advantage of this regime.

If you are affected by any of the issues above and would like more information, please call 0114 272 4984 or email info@shipleystax.com.

Please note that Shipleys Tax do not give free advice by email or telephone.