Capital allowances for construction
‘Capital allowances are a group of UK income tax and corporation tax reliefs that are available to businesses for capital expenditure. Capital expenditure creates an asset or advantage with enduring benefit and is usually recorded as a fixed asset on the balance sheet in the financial accounts. Examples are expenditure upon land, buildings and equipment.’ Ref Capital allowances and land remediation relief, 1st edition, guidance note (GN 111/2013) published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) July 2013.
Capital allowances can play a big part in the development of a business case for a project and in setting budgets.
The client is allowed to deduct capital allowances from taxable profits. These relate to the cost of certain assets such as:
- Plant and machinery (lifts, escalators, mechanical and electrical plant, information and communications technology, equipment, furniture, fittings and office equipment).
- Thermal insulation for industrial buildings.
- Making certain buildings comply with the part B of the building regulations (fire safety).
- Safety measures for sports grounds and stadia.
- Security systems if there is a special threat to the use of the building.
- Scientific research and development facilities.
- Enterprise zones in relation to industrial and commercial buildings, including hotels.
The tax relief allowed relates to the reduction in value (depreciation) of the qualifying assets. The percentage of annual depreciation depends on the item claimed and the size of the business making the claim.
The percentage of annual depreciation depends on the item claimed and the size of the business making the claim. The client's finance director or in-house tax team may quantify the level of qualifying expenditure, or they may appoint a specialist capital allowances advisor. Capital allowances services are offered by specialist boutique firms, large and mid tier accountancy firms (who employ chartered surveyors) and cost consultants.
The size of the company and tax dates will affect the decision-making process and the cost consultant will have to pull out real cost data upon which annual depreciation allowances are calculated.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Base construction.
- Building Regulations.
- Business case.
- Budget.
- Capital.
- Capital allowances and super deductions.
- Capital costs.
- Capital gain.
- Capital gains tax.
- Cost consultant.
- Cost plans.
- Depreciation.
- Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme.
- Equipment.
- ECA Water Scheme.
- Financial year.
- Fit out.
- Industrial buildings allowance (IBA)
- Land remediation relief.
- Net Present Value.
- Tax.
[edit] External references
- HMRC: Capital allowances.
Featured articles and news
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.