Capital allowances reminder

31 March is a common year-end for companies and, with that in mind, companies are reminded that to qualify for Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) relief, expenditure on qualifying assets should be made in the financial year ending in the 2011/2012 fiscal year (i.e. in the financial year that ends during the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012). AIA relief is normally available at 100 per cent of the appropriate expenditure.

This will be important if the investment in qualifying assets will exceed £25,000 as the limit for AIA relief is being reduced from £100,000 to £25,000 from 1 April 2012 (6 April 2012 for unincorporated businesses).

AIA relief is available on:

• tools and equipment;
• computers and computerised equipment and software;
• office equipment and furniture;
• vans for business purposes; and
• certain expenditure on buildings.