Capital Allowances Act 2001

Type Public General Act
Publication 2001-03-22
Last updated 2026-03-18
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API
  • (3) If the accommodation and amenities of the farmhouse are proportionate to the nature and extent of the farm, only one third of the capital expenditure is to be taken into account under subsection (1).
  • (4) If they are disproportionate, only such part of the expenditure as is just and reasonable (and not exceeding one third) is to be taken into account under subsection (1).
  • (5) If—
  • (a) the capital expenditure is incurred on the construction of any agricultural building other than a farmhouse, and
  • (b) the building is to be used partly for the purposes of husbandry on the related agricultural land and partly for other purposes,

only such part of the expenditure as, on a just and reasonable apportionment, is referable to use for the purposes of husbandry is to be taken into account under subsection (1).

Purchase of relevant interest before first use of agricultural building

370
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) capital expenditure has been incurred on the construction of an agricultural building,
  • (b) the expenditure was incurred for the purposes of husbandry as mentioned in section 361,
  • (c) the relevant interest is sold before the building is first used, and
  • (d) a capital sum is paid by the purchaser for the relevant interest.
  • (2) The lesser of—
  • (a) the capital expenditure incurred on the construction of the agricultural building, and
  • (b) the capital sum paid by the purchaser,

is qualifying expenditure.

  • (3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2)—
  • (a) capital expenditure incurred on the construction of the agricultural building does not include any amount excluded from being taken into account under section 369(3) to (5), and
  • (b) the capital sum paid by the purchaser for the relevant interest does not include any amount which, on a just and reasonable apportionment, is attributable to assets representing expenditure in respect of which an allowance cannot be made under this Part.
  • (4) Subsection (3)(b) does not affect sections 562, 563 and 564(1) (apportionment and procedure for determining apportionment).
  • (5) The qualifying expenditure is to be treated as incurred when the capital sum became payable.
  • (6) If the relevant interest is sold more than once before the building is first used, subsection (2) has effect only in relation to the last of those sales.
371

If a person is entitled to different relevant interests in different parts of the related agricultural land—

  • (a) the expenditure is to be apportioned between those parts on a just and reasonable basis, and
  • (b) this Part applies as if the person had incurred the expenditure apportioned to each part separately.

Chapter 4 — Writing-down allowances

Entitlement to writing-down allowance

372
  • (1) A person is entitled to a writing-down allowance for a chargeable period if—
  • (a) qualifying expenditure has been incurred,
  • (b) at any time during that chargeable period he is entitled to the relevant interest in relation to the qualifying expenditure, and
  • (c) that time falls within the writing-down period.
  • (2) The writing-down period, in relation to qualifying expenditure incurred by a person, is 25 years beginning with the first day of the chargeable period of that person in which the qualifying expenditure was incurred.
  • (3) A person claiming a writing-down allowance may require the allowance to be reduced to a specified amount.

Basic rule for calculating amount of allowance

373
  • (1) The basic rule is that the writing-down allowance for a chargeable period is 4% of the qualifying expenditure.
  • (2) The allowance is proportionately increased or reduced if the chargeable period is more or less than a year.

First use of building not for purposes of husbandry, etc.

374
  • (1) No writing-down allowance is to be made under section 372 if, when the agricultural building is first used, it is not used for the purposes of husbandry.
  • (2) Any writing-down allowance which has been made in respect of an agricultural building which has not been used is to be withdrawn if—
  • (a) when the building is first used, it is not used for the purposes of husbandry, or
  • (b) the person to whom the allowance was made sells the relevant interest before the building is first used.
  • (3) All such assessments and adjustments of assessments are to be made as are necessary to give effect to this section.

Effect of acquisition of relevant interest after first use of building

375
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) a person (“the former owner”) would be entitled to an allowance under this Part in respect of any expenditure if he continued to be the owner of the relevant interest, and
  • (b) another person (“the new owner”) acquires the relevant interest in the whole or a part of the related agricultural land.
  • (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), it is immaterial whether the relevant interest is acquired by transfer, by operation of law or otherwise.
  • (3) The former owner—
  • (a) is not entitled to an allowance for any chargeable period after that in which the acquisition occurs, and
  • (b) if the acquisition occurs during a chargeable period, is entitled only to an appropriate part of any writing-down allowance for that period.
  • (4) The new owner—
  • (a) is entitled to allowances for the chargeable period in which the acquisition occurs and for subsequent chargeable periods falling wholly or partly within the writing-down period, and
  • (b) if the acquisition occurs during a chargeable period, is entitled only to an appropriate part of any writing-down allowance for that period.
  • (5) If the new owner acquires the relevant interest in part only of the related agricultural land, subsections (3) and (4) apply to so much only of the allowance as is properly referable to that part of the agricultural land as if it were a separate allowance.

Calculation of allowance after acquisition

376
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) section 375 applies, and
  • (b) the acquisition is a balancing event under section 381 (as a result of an election made in accordance with section 382).
  • (2) The writing-down allowance for a chargeable period ending after the event is—

$$RQExAB$where—RQE is the residue of qualifying expenditure immediately after the event,A is the length of the chargeable period, andB is the length of the period from the date of the event to the end of the writing-down period.$

  • (3) On any later acquisition that is a balancing event under section 381, the writing-down allowance is further adjusted in accordance with this section.
  • (4) The residue of qualifying expenditure immediately after a balancing event is calculated as mentioned in section 386, taking into account any balancing adjustment falling to be made on the event.
  • (5) For this purpose, any balancing allowance on that or any previous balancing event which is reduced or denied under section 389 (sale subject to subordinate interest) is to be treated as having been made in full.
  • (6) The allowance is proportionately reduced if the person entitled to the allowance is not entitled to the relevant interest in relation to the expenditure in question during part of the chargeable period.

Chargeable period when balancing adjustment made

377

A person is not entitled to a writing-down allowance for a chargeable period in which a balancing allowance or balancing charge is made to or on him in respect of the qualifying expenditure.

Allowance limited to residue of qualifying expenditure

378
  • (1) The amount of a writing-down allowance for a chargeable period is limited to the residue of qualifying expenditure immediately before it is made or would, apart from this section, be made.
  • (2) The residue of qualifying expenditure is calculated in accordance with section 386.

Final writing-down allowance

379
  • (1) In this section “the final writing-down allowance” means the writing-down allowance which is made—
  • (a) to the person who is entitled to the relevant interest when the writing-down period ends, and
  • (b) for the chargeable period in which it ends.
  • (2) If the final writing-down allowance would, apart from this section, be less than the amount of the residue of qualifying expenditure immediately before it is made, the allowance is increased to that amount.
  • (3) When determining the residue of qualifying expenditure under section 386 for the purposes of subsection (2), assume that all such writing-down allowances have been made to the persons who have been entitled to the relevant interest during the writing-down period as could have been made if each of them—
  • (a) had been entitled to allowances, and
  • (b) had claimed allowances in full.

Chapter 5 — Balancing adjustments

General

When balancing adjustments are made

380
  • (1) A balancing adjustment is made if—
  • (a) qualifying expenditure has been incurred, and
  • (b) a balancing event occurs in a chargeable period for which a person would (apart from this section) be entitled to a writing-down allowance.
  • (2) A balancing adjustment is either a balancing allowance or a balancing charge and is made for the chargeable period in which the balancing event occurs.
  • (3) A balancing allowance or balancing charge is made to or on the person entitled to the relevant interest in relation to the qualifying expenditure immediately before the balancing event.

Balancing events (on making an election)

381
  • (1) Any event described in subsection (2) is a balancing event, but only if an election is made in accordance with section 382 for it to be treated as such.
  • (2) The events are—
  • (a) the relevant interest is acquired as mentioned in section 375;
  • (b) the agricultural building is demolished or destroyed;
  • (c) the agricultural building ceases altogether to be used (without being demolished or destroyed).

Requirements as to elections

382
  • (1) An election relating to an event within section 381(2)(a) must be made jointly by the former owner and the new owner.
  • (2) No election relating to such an event may be made if it appears that the sole or main benefit which might have been expected to accrue to the parties, or any of them, from—
  • (a) the acquisition, or
  • (b) transactions of which the acquisition is one,

is the obtaining of an allowance, or a greater allowance, under this Part.

  • (3) In determining for the purposes of subsection (2) what benefit might have been expected to accrue, sections 568 and 573 (sales treated as being for alternative amount) are to be disregarded.
  • (4) An election relating to an event within section 381(2)(b) or (c) must be made by the person entitled to the relevant interest immediately before the event.
  • (5) No election relating to any event may be made if any person by whom the election is to be made is not within the charge to tax.
  • (6) The election must be made by notice given to the an officer of Revenue and Customs—
  • (a) for income tax purposes, on or before the normal time limit for amending a tax return for the tax year in which the relevant chargeable period ends;
  • (b) for corporation tax purposes, no later than 2 years after the end of the relevant chargeable period.
  • (7) “The relevant chargeable period” means the chargeable period in which the event in question occurs.

Proceeds from balancing events

383
  • (1) References in this Part to the proceeds from a balancing event are to the amounts received or receivable in connection with the event, as shown in the Table—
1. Balancing event 2. Proceeds from event
1. The sale of the relevant interest. The net proceeds of the sale.
2. The acquisition of the relevant interest under section 368(3) (ending of lease where incoming lessee makes payment to outgoing lessee). The net amount of the payment to the outgoing lessee.
3. The demolition or destruction of the agricultural building. The net amount received for the remains of the building, together with—(a) any insurance money received in respect of the demolition or destruction, and(b) any other compensation of any description so received, so far as it consists of capital sums.
4. The agricultural building ceases altogether to be used. Any compensation of any description received in respect of the event, so far as it consists of capital sums.
  • (2) The amounts referred to in column 2 of the Table are those received or receivable by the person whose entitlement to a balancing allowance or liability to a balancing charge is in question.

Exclusion of proportion of proceeds

384
  • (1) The amounts referred to in column 2 of the Table in section 383 do not include any amount which, on a just and reasonable apportionment, is attributable to assets representing expenditure in respect of which an allowance cannot be made under this Part.
  • (2) If the qualifying expenditure in respect of which the balancing adjustment is made was restricted as a result of—
  • (a) subsection (3) or (4) of section 369 (restrictions on expenditure on farmhouse), or
  • (b) subsection (5) of that section (restriction on expenditure on buildings to be used partly for purposes other than husbandry),

a corresponding proportion only of the amounts referred to in the Table in section 383 is to be treated as proceeds from the balancing event.

  • (3) Subsection (1) does not affect sections 562, 563 and 564(1) (apportionment and procedure for determining apportionment).

Calculation of balancing adjustments

Calculation of balancing adjustment

385
  • (1) A balancing allowance is made if—
  • (a) there are no proceeds from the balancing event, or
  • (b) the proceeds from the balancing event are less than the residue of qualifying expenditure immediately before the event.
  • (2) The amount of the balancing allowance is the amount of—
  • (a) the residue (if there are no proceeds);
  • (b) the difference (if the proceeds are less than the residue).
  • (3) A balancing charge is made if the proceeds from the balancing event are more than the residue of qualifying expenditure immediately before the event.
  • (4) The amount of the balancing charge is the amount of the difference.

The residue of qualifying expenditure

386

The residue of qualifying expenditure at any time is—

Overall limit on balancing charge

387

The amount of a balancing charge made on a person in respect of any qualifying expenditure must not exceed the total allowances made under this Part to the person in respect of the expenditure for chargeable periods ending before that in which the balancing event occurs.

Acquisition of relevant interest in part of land, etc.

388
  • (1) This section applies if a balancing event relates to—
  • (a) the acquisition of the relevant interest in part only of the related agricultural land in which the interest subsisted when the qualifying expenditure was incurred, or
  • (b) only part of the agricultural building.
  • (2) Entitlement or liability to, and the amount of, the balancing adjustment, are determined by reference to the part of the qualifying expenditure that is properly attributable to the part of the related agricultural land or (as the case may be) the part of the agricultural building.
  • (3) Section 377 (no writing-down allowance for qualifying expenditure for the chargeable period in which a balancing adjustment is made) applies to the part of the qualifying expenditure referred to in subsection (2).

Balancing allowances restricted where sale subject to subordinate interest etc.

389
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) the relevant interest is sold subject to a subordinate interest,
  • (b) the person entitled to the relevant interest immediately before the sale (“the former owner”) would, apart from this section, be entitled to a balancing allowance under this Chapter as a result of the sale, and
  • (c) condition A or B is met.
  • (2) Condition A is that—
  • (a) the former owner,
  • (b) the person who acquires the relevant interest, and
  • (c) the person to whom the subordinate interest was granted,

or any two of them, are connected persons.

  • (3) Condition B is that it appears that the sole or main benefit which might have been expected to accrue to the parties or any of them from the sale or the grant, or transactions including the sale or grant, was the obtaining of an allowance under this Part.
  • (4) For the purpose of deciding what balancing adjustment is to be made in a case to which this section applies, the net proceeds to the former owner of the sale are to be increased—
  • (a) by an amount equal to any premium receivable by him for the grant of the subordinate interest, and
  • (b) if no rent, or no commercial rent, is payable in respect of the subordinate interest, by the amount by which the proceeds would have been greater if a commercial rent had been payable and the relevant interest had been sold in the open market.
  • (5) But the net proceeds of the sale are not to be treated as being greater than the amount which secures that no balancing allowance is made.
  • (6) If the terms on which a subordinate interest is granted are varied before the sale of the relevant interest—
  • (a) any capital consideration for the variation is to be treated for the purposes of this section as a premium for the grant of the interest, and
  • (b) the question whether any, and if so what, rent is payable in respect of the interest is to be determined by reference to the terms in force immediately before the sale.
  • (7) If this section applies in relation to a sale to deny or reduce a balancing allowance, the residue of qualifying expenditure immediately after the sale is nevertheless calculated as if the balancing allowance had been made or not reduced.

Interpretation of section 389

390
  • (1) In section 389—
  • commercial rent” means such rent as may reasonably be expected to have been required in respect of the subordinate interest (having regard to any premium payable for the grant of the interest) if the transaction had been at arm’s length;
  • premium” includes any capital consideration, except so much of any sum as corresponds to — an amount brought into account as a receipt in calculating the profits of a UK property business under sections 217 to 221 of CTA 2009 that is calculated by reference to the sum, or an amount brought into account as a receipt in calculating the profits of a UK property business under sections 277 to 281 of ITTOIA 2005 that is calculated by reference to the sum;
  • subordinate interest” means an interest in or right over the related agricultural land, whether granted by the former owner or anyone else.
  • (2) In section 389 and this section—
  • capital consideration” means consideration which consists of a capital sum or would be a capital sum if it had consisted of a money payment, and
  • rent” includes any consideration which is not capital consideration.

Chapter 6 — Supplementary provisions

Giving effect to allowances and charges

Trades

391

An allowance or charge to which a person is entitled or liable under this Part is to be given effect in calculating the profits of that person’s trade, by treating—

  • (a) the allowance as an expense of the trade, and
  • (b) the charge as a receipt of the trade.

Schedule A businesses

392
  • (1) This section applies if a person who is entitled or liable to an allowance or charge for a chargeable period was not carrying on a trade in that period.
  • (2) If the person was carrying on a UK property business ... at any time in that period, the allowance or charge is to be given effect in calculating the profits of that business, by treating—
  • (a) the allowance as an expense of that business, and
  • (b) the charge as a receipt of that business.
  • (2A) If the person... was not carrying on a UK property business at any time in that period, the allowance or charge is to be given effect by treating the person as having carried on such a business in that period and as if—
  • (a) the allowance were an expense of that business, and
  • (b) the charge were a receipt of that business.
  • (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Meaning of “freehold interest”, “lease” etc.

Meaning of “freehold interest”, “lease”, etc.

393
  • (1) In this Part “freehold interest in land” means—
  • (a) the fee simple estate in the land, or
  • (b) in relation to Scotland, the interest of the owner.
  • (2) In this Part “freehold interest in land” also includes—
  • (a) an agreement to acquire the fee simple estate in the land, or
  • (b) in relation to Scotland, an agreement to acquire the interest of the owner.
  • (3) In this Part “lease” includes—
  • (a) an agreement for a lease if the term to be covered by the lease has begun, and
  • (b) any tenancy,

but does not include a mortgage (and “lessee”, “lessor” and “leasehold interest” are to be read accordingly).

  • (4) In the application of this Part to Scotland—
  • (a) “leasehold interest” means the interest of a tenant in property subject to a lease, and
  • (b) any reference to an interest which is reversionary on a leasehold interest or on a lease is to be read as a reference to the interest of the landlord in the property subject to the leasehold interest or lease.

Part 5 — Mineral extraction allowances

Chapter 1 — Introduction

Mineral extraction allowances

394
  • (1) Allowances are available under this Part if a person carries on a mineral extraction trade and incurs qualifying expenditure.
  • (2) In this Part “mineral extraction trade” means a trade which consists of, or includes, the working of a source of mineral deposits but to the extent only that the profits or gains from that trade are, or (if there were any) would be, chargeable to tax.
  • (2A) If a company or partnership is as a result of section 6D (NI rate activity treated as separate trade) treated for the purposes of this Act as carrying on two separate trades, each of them is for the purposes of this Part to be treated as a mineral extraction trade if the separate trades would together be so treated.
  • (3) In this Part “mineral deposits” includes any natural deposits capable of being lifted or extracted from the earth, and for this purpose geothermal energy is to be treated as a natural deposit.
  • (4) Any reference in this Part to mineral deposits is to mineral deposits of a wasting nature.
  • (5) In this Part “source of mineral deposits” includes a mine, an oil well and a source of geothermal energy.

Qualifying expenditure

395
  • (1) In this Part “qualifying expenditure” means—
  • (a) expenditure on mineral exploration and access which is qualifying expenditure under Chapter 2,
  • (b) expenditure on acquiring a mineral asset which is qualifying expenditure under Chapter 3,
  • (c) expenditure which is treated as qualifying expenditure on mineral exploration and access under section 407(5) or 408(2), and
  • (d) expenditure which is qualifying expenditure under Chapter 5 (expenditure on works likely to become valueless and ... restoration expenditure).

But this is subject to subsections (2) and (3).

  • (2) Expenditure is not qualifying expenditure if it is excluded from being qualifying expenditure by section 399.
  • (3) Chapters 4 and 5 contain provisions limiting in certain cases the amount of expenditure which is qualifying expenditure.

Meaning of “mineral exploration and access”

396
  • (1) In this Part “mineral exploration and access” means—
  • (a) searching for or discovering and testing the mineral deposits of a source, or
  • (b) winning access to such deposits.
  • (2) Expenditure on seeking planning permission necessary to enable—
  • (a) mineral exploration and access to be undertaken at any place, or
  • (b) any mineral deposits to be worked,

is treated as expenditure on mineral exploration and access and not as expenditure on acquiring a mineral asset.

  • (3) “Seeking planning permission” includes pursuing an appeal against a refusal to grant planning permission.

Meaning of “mineral asset”

397

In this Part “mineral asset” means—

  • (a) any mineral deposits or land comprising mineral deposits, or
  • (b) any interest in or right over such deposits or land.

Relationship between main types of qualifying expenditure

398

Subject to section 396(2) and Chapter 4, expenditure on—

  • (a) the acquisition of, or of rights over, the site of a source of mineral deposits, or
  • (b) the acquisition of, or of rights over, mineral deposits,

is to be treated as expenditure on acquiring a mineral asset and not as expenditure on mineral exploration and access.

Expenditure excluded from being qualifying expenditure

399
  • (1) Expenditure on the provision of plant or machinery is not qualifying expenditure except as provided by section 402 (pre-trading expenditure on plant or machinery).
  • (1A) Expenditure incurred by a person for the purposes of a mineral extraction trade is not qualifying expenditure if—
  • (a) when the expenditure is incurred, the person is carrying on the trade but the trade is not at that time a mineral extraction trade, or
  • (b) the person has not begun to carry on the trade when the expenditure is incurred and, when the person begins to carry on the trade, the trade is not a mineral extraction trade.
  • (1B) Section 577(2) (references to commencement etc of a trade) does not apply to subsection (1A).
  • (2) Expenditure on works constructed wholly or mainly for subjecting the raw product of a source to any process is not qualifying expenditure, unless the process is designed for preparing the raw product for use as such.
  • (3) Expenditure on buildings or structures provided for occupation by, or for the welfare of, workers is not qualifying expenditure except as provided by section 415.
  • (4) Expenditure on a building is not qualifying expenditure if the whole of the building was constructed for use as an office.
  • (5) Subsection (6) applies if part of a building or structure has been constructed for use as an office.
  • (6) The expenditure on the office part is not qualifying expenditure if it was more than 10% of the capital expenditure incurred on the construction of the whole.

Chapter 2 — Qualifying expenditure on mineral exploration and access

Qualifying expenditure on mineral exploration and access

400
  • (1) Expenditure on mineral exploration and access is qualifying expenditure if—
  • (a) it is capital expenditure, and
  • (b) it is incurred for the purposes of a mineral extraction trade.
  • (2) Expenditure on mineral exploration and access incurred by a person in connection with a mineral extraction trade which that person carries on then or subsequently is to be treated as incurred for the purposes of that trade.
  • (3) But pre-trading expenditure on mineral exploration and access is qualifying expenditure only to the extent provided by—
  • section 401 (pre-trading exploration expenditure), or
  • section 402 (pre-trading expenditure on plant or machinery).
  • (4) Any pre-trading expenditure that is qualifying expenditure under either of those sections is to be treated as incurred on the first day of trading.
  • (5) In this Chapter—
  • (a) “pre-trading expenditure” means capital expenditure incurred before the day on which a person begins to carry on a mineral extraction trade, and
  • (b) “the first day of trading”, in relation to a person’s pre-trading expenditure, means the day on which that person begins to carry on the mineral extraction trade.

Pre-trading exploration expenditure

401
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) a person incurs pre-trading expenditure on mineral exploration and access at a source, and
  • (b) the expenditure is not incurred on the provision of plant or machinery.
  • (2) The amount of the expenditure (“pre-trading exploration expenditure”) that is qualifying expenditure depends on whether mineral exploration and access is continuing at the source on the first day of trading.
  • (3) If it is, so much of the pre-trading exploration expenditure as exceeds any relevant receipts is qualifying expenditure.
  • (4) If it is not, only so much of the pre-trading exploration expenditure as—
  • (a) was incurred within 6 years ending on the first day of trading, and
  • (b) exceeds any relevant receipts,

is qualifying expenditure.

  • (5) “Relevant receipts” means capital sums received—
  • (a) by the person incurring the pre-trading exploration expenditure referred to in subsection (3) or (4), and
  • (b) before the first day of trading,

so far as they are reasonably attributable to that expenditure.

Pre-trading expenditure on plant or machinery

402
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) a person incurs pre-trading expenditure on the provision of plant or machinery for mineral exploration and access,
  • (b) the plant or machinery was used in connection with mineral exploration and access at a source, and
  • (c) before the first day of trading, the plant or machinery is sold, demolished, destroyed or abandoned.
  • (2) The amount of the expenditure (“pre-trading expenditure on plant or machinery”) that is qualifying expenditure depends on whether mineral exploration and access is continuing at the source on the first day of trading.
  • (3) If it is, so much of the pre-trading expenditure on plant or machinery as exceeds any relevant receipts is qualifying expenditure.
  • (4) If it is not, only so much of the pre-trading expenditure on plant or machinery as—
  • (a) was incurred within 6 years ending on the first day of trading, and
  • (b) exceeds any relevant receipts,

is qualifying expenditure.

  • (5) “Relevant receipts” means—
  • (a) if the plant or machinery is sold, the net proceeds to the person of the sale;
  • (b) if the plant or machinery is demolished or destroyed, the net amount received by the person for the remains of the plant or machinery, together with—
  • (i) any insurance money received by him in respect of the demolition or destruction, and
  • (ii) any other compensation of any description so received, so far as it consists of capital sums;
  • (c) if the plant or machinery is abandoned—
  • (i) any insurance money received by the person in respect of the abandonment, and
  • (ii) any other compensation of any description so received, so far as it consists of capital sums.

Chapter 3 — Qualifying expenditure on acquiring a mineral asset

Qualifying expenditure on acquiring a mineral asset

403
  • (1) Expenditure on acquiring a mineral asset is qualifying expenditure if—
  • (a) it is capital expenditure, and
  • (b) it is incurred for the purposes of a mineral extraction trade.
  • (2) Subsection (1) is subject to—
  • section 404 (exclusion of undeveloped market value of land), and
  • section 406 (reduction where premium relief previously allowed).
  • (2A) For the purposes of this section the reference to expenditure on acquiring a mineral asset does not include expenditure incurred on the restoration of a relevant site (within the meaning of section 416 or 416ZA).
  • (3) In this Chapter “the buyer”, in relation to the acquisition of a mineral asset, means the person acquiring it.

Exclusion of undeveloped market value of land

404
  • (1) If the mineral asset is an interest in land, so much of the buyer’s expenditure on acquiring the asset as is equal to the undeveloped market value of the interest is not qualifying expenditure.
  • (2) “The undeveloped market value of the interest” means the amount that, at the time of the acquisition, the interest might reasonably be expected to fetch on a sale in the open market on the assumptions in subsection (3).
  • (3) The assumptions are that—
  • (a) there is no source of mineral deposits on or in the land, and
  • (b) it will only ever be lawful to carry out existing permitted development.
  • (4) Development is existing permitted development if at the time of the acquisition—
  • (a) it has been, or had begun to be, lawfully carried out, or
  • (b) it could be lawfully carried out under planning permission granted by a general development order.
  • (5) In applying subsection (4) in relation to land outside the United Kingdom—
  • (a) whether, at the time of the acquisition, development has been, or had begun to be, lawfully carried out is to be determined according to the law of the territory in which the land is situated, and
  • (b) whether, at that time, development could be lawfully carried out under planning permission granted by a general development order is to be determined as if the land were in England.
  • (6) References in this section to the time of acquisition are not affected by section 434 (expenditure incurred before trade carried on).
  • (7) This section does not apply to the buyer’s expenditure if an election under section 569 (election to treat sale as being for alternative amount) is made in relation to the acquisition.

Qualifying expenditure where buildings or structures cease to be used

405
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) section 404 (exclusion of undeveloped market value of land) applies to limit the buyer’s qualifying expenditure on acquiring the mineral asset,
  • (b) the undeveloped market value of the interest in land includes the value of any buildings or structures on the land, and
  • (c) at the time of the acquisition, or at any later time, the buildings or structures permanently cease to be used for any purpose.
  • (2) The buyer is to be treated—
  • (a) as having incurred qualifying expenditure, on acquiring a mineral asset, of an amount equal to the unrelieved value of the buildings or structures, and
  • (b) as having incurred it when the buildings or structures permanently cease to be used for any purpose.
  • (3) The unrelieved value of the buildings or structures is—

$$V-(A-B)$where—V is the value of the buildings or structures at the date of the acquisition (disregarding any value properly attributable to the land on which they stand),A is the amount of any allowances made to the buyer under the provisions of this Act other than Part 10 (assured tenancy allowances) in respect of—(a) the buildings or structures, or(b) assets in the buildings or structures, andB is the amount of any balancing charges made on the buyer under those provisions in respect of those buildings or structures or assets in them.$

  • (4) References in this section to the time of acquisition are not affected by section 434 (time when expenditure incurred).

Reduction where premium relief previously allowed

406
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) the mineral asset is or includes an interest in land, and
  • (b) for chargeable periods previous to the chargeable period for which the buyer first becomes entitled to an allowance under this Part in respect of the expenditure on acquiring the mineral asset, deductions are made under sections 60 to 67 of ITTOIA 2005 or under sections 62 to 67 of CTA 2009 (deductions in calculating trading profits where premiums etc. taxable).
  • (2) The amount of the expenditure on the acquisition of the mineral asset that is qualifying expenditure is reduced by—

$$DxET$where—D is the total of the deductions made under sections 60 to 67 of ITTOIA 2005 or under sections 62 to 67 of CTA 2009 in the earlier chargeable periods mentioned in subsection (1)(b),E is the amount of the capital expenditure on the acquisition of the interest in land that would have been qualifying expenditure if the buyer had been entitled to allowances under this Part in those earlier periods, andT is the total amount of the capital expenditure on the acquisition of the interest in land.$

Chapter 4 — Qualifying expenditure: second-hand assets

Assets reflecting expenditure on mineral exploration and access

Acquisition of mineral asset owned by previous trader

407
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) a person carrying on a mineral extraction trade (“the buyer”) incurs capital expenditure on acquiring a mineral asset (“asset X”) for the purposes of that trade, and
  • (b) the conditions in subsection (3) are met.
  • (2) In this section “the buyer’s expenditure” means the expenditure referred to in subsection (1)(a), less any amount which, under section 404 (exclusion of undeveloped market value of land), is not qualifying expenditure on the acquisition of the mineral asset.
  • (3) The conditions are that—
  • (a) expenditure was previously incurred on acquiring asset X or bringing it into existence by—
  • (i) the person from whom the buyer acquired asset X, or
  • (ii) an earlier owner of asset X,

in connection with a mineral extraction trade carried on by the person incurring that expenditure,

  • (b) part of the value of asset X is properly attributable to expenditure (“E1”) on mineral exploration and access by the previous trader, and
  • (c) it is just and reasonable to attribute part of the buyer’s expenditure (“E2”) to that part of the value of asset X.
  • (4) In arriving at E1, any expenditure that is or has been deducted in calculating, for tax purposes, the profits of a trade carried on by the previous trader must be excluded.
  • (5) If this section applies—
  • (a) so much of the buyer’s expenditure as is equal to the lesser of E1 and E2 is to be treated as qualifying expenditure on mineral exploration and access, and
  • (b) the buyer’s expenditure on acquiring the mineral asset is reduced by the same amount.
  • (6) “The previous trader” means—
  • (a) the person incurring the expenditure mentioned in subsection (3)(a), or
  • (b) if there has been more than one such person, the last before the buyer acquired asset X.
  • (7) In this section references to asset X include—
  • (a) two or more assets which together make up asset X, and
  • (b) one asset from which, or two or more assets from the combination of which, asset X is derived.

Acquisition of oil licence from non-trader

408
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) a person carrying on a mineral extraction trade (“the buyer”) incurs capital expenditure on acquiring an interest in an oil licence for the purposes of that trade,
  • (b) the person from whom the interest was acquired (“the seller”) disposed of the interest without having carried on a mineral extraction trade,
  • (c) part of the value of the interest is attributable to expenditure (“E1”) on mineral exploration and access by the seller, and
  • (d) it is just and reasonable to attribute part of the buyer’s expenditure (“E2”) to that part of the value of the interest.
  • (2) If this section applies—
  • (a) so much of the buyer’s expenditure as is equal to the lesser of E1 and E2 is to be treated as qualifying expenditure on mineral exploration and access, and
  • (b) the buyer’s expenditure on acquiring the interest in the oil licence is reduced by an amount equal to E2.
  • (3) In this section “oil licence” and “interest in an oil licence” have the same meaning as in Chapter 3 of Part 12.

Acquisition of other assets from non-traders

409
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) a person carrying on a mineral extraction trade (“the buyer”) incurs capital expenditure on acquiring any assets for the purposes of that trade,
  • (b) the person from whom the assets were acquired (“the seller”) disposed of the assets without having carried on a mineral extraction trade,
  • (c) the assets represent expenditure on mineral exploration and access incurred by the seller, and
  • (d) section 408 (acquisition of oil licence from non-trader) does not apply in relation to the acquisition.
  • (2) If this section applies, the buyer’s expenditure is qualifying expenditure only to the extent that it does not exceed the amount of the seller’s expenditure on mineral exploration and access that is represented by the assets.
  • (3) The references in this section to assets representing expenditure on mineral exploration and access include any results obtained from any search, exploration or inquiry on which the expenditure was incurred.

Qualifying expenditure on assets limited by reference to historic costs

UK oil licence: limit is original licence payment

410
  • (1) This section applies if a person carrying on a mineral extraction trade (“the buyer”) incurs capital expenditure on acquiring a mineral asset which is a UK oil licence, or an interest in such a licence, for the purposes of that trade.
  • (2) If this section applies, the buyer’s expenditure is qualifying expenditure only to the extent that it does not exceed—
  • (a) the original licence payment, or
  • (b) if the mineral asset is an interest in a UK oil licence, such part of the original licence payment as it is just and reasonable to attribute to the interest.
  • (3) In this section “the original licence payment” means the amount paid to the relevant authority for the purpose of obtaining the licence by the person to whom the licence was granted.
  • (4) This section does not affect any expenditure that is treated as qualifying expenditure on mineral exploration and access under—
  • section 407(5) (acquisition of mineral asset owned by previous trader), or
  • section 408(2) (acquisition of oil licence from non-trader).
  • (5) In this section “UK oil licence” and “the relevant authority” have the same meaning as in Chapter 3 of Part 12.

Assets generally: limit is residue of previous trader’s qualifying expenditure

411
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) a person carrying on a mineral extraction trade (“the buyer”) incurs capital expenditure on acquiring an asset (“asset X”) for the purposes of that trade, and
  • (b) expenditure was previously incurred on acquiring asset X or bringing it into existence by—
  • (i) the person from whom the buyer acquired asset X, or
  • (ii) an earlier owner of asset X,

in connection with a mineral extraction trade carried on by the person incurring that expenditure.

  • (2) In this section “the buyer’s expenditure” means the expenditure referred to in subsection (1)(a) less any amount which, under section 404 (exclusion of undeveloped market value of land), is not qualifying expenditure on the acquisition of the mineral asset.
  • (3) If this section applies, the buyer’s expenditure is qualifying expenditure only to the extent that it does not exceed the residue of the previous trader’s qualifying expenditure.
  • (4) The residue of the previous trader’s qualifying expenditure is—

$$QE-(A-B)$where—QE is so much of the expenditure incurred by the previous trader on the acquisition or bringing into existence of asset X as constitutes qualifying expenditure for the purposes of this Part,A is the total of any allowances made under this Part in respect of the previous trader’s qualifying expenditure, andB is the total of any balancing charges made under this Part in respect of the previous trader’s qualifying expenditure.$

  • (5) “The previous trader” means—
  • (a) the person incurring the expenditure mentioned in subsection (1)(b), or
  • (b) if there has been more than one such person, the last before the buyer acquired asset X.
  • (6) In this section references to asset X include—
  • (a) two or more assets which together make up asset X, and
  • (b) one asset from which, or two or more assets from the combination of which, asset X is derived.
  • (7) For the purposes of subsection (4), if the previous trader incurred expenditure on the acquisition or bringing into existence of one or more assets from which asset X is derived, QE is so much of that expenditure as—
  • (a) was qualifying expenditure for the purposes of this Part, and
  • (b) is just and reasonable to attribute to asset X;

and a similar apportionment is to be made to arrive at A and B.

  • (8) This section does not affect any expenditure that is treated as qualifying expenditure on mineral exploration and access under—
  • section 407(5) (acquisition of mineral asset owned by previous trader), or
  • section 408(2) (acquisition of oil licence from non-trader).

Transfers of mineral assets within group: limit is initial group expenditure

412
  • (1) Subject to section 413, this section applies if—
  • (a) a company (“the buyer”) incurs capital expenditure on acquiring a mineral asset (“asset X”) from another company (“the seller”), and
  • (b) the seller is a group company in relation to the buyer at the time of the acquisition.
  • (2) The buyer’s expenditure on acquiring asset X is to be left out of account for the purposes of this Part to the extent that it exceeds—
  • (a) the capital expenditure incurred by the seller on acquiring asset X, or
  • (b) if asset X is an interest or right granted by the seller in a mineral asset acquired by the seller (“asset Y”), so much of the capital expenditure incurred by the seller on asset Y as on a just and reasonable apportionment is referable to asset X.
  • (3) If there is a sequence of acquisitions within subsection (1), apply subsection (2) in the same sequence (starting with the first acquisition in the sequence).
  • (4) Subsections (5) to (7) apply if—
  • (a) the buyer is carrying on a mineral extraction trade, and
  • (b) the asset is an interest in land.
  • (5) Section 404 (exclusion of undeveloped market value of land) applies to the buyer as if the time of the buyer’s acquisition of the interest in land were—
  • (a) the time of the seller’s acquisition of the interest, or
  • (b) if there is a sequence of acquisitions within subsection (1), the time when the interest was acquired by the company which is the seller in the first acquisition in the sequence.
  • (6) Subject to subsection (7), section 405 (qualifying expenditure where buildings or structures cease to be used) applies to the buyer as if the time of the buyer’s acquisition of the interest in land were the time of the seller’s acquisition of the interest.
  • (7) If there is a sequence of acquisitions within subsection (1), section 405 applies as if—
  • (a) the time of the acquisition were the time when the interest was acquired by the company which is the seller in the first acquisition in the sequence, but
  • (b) the allowances and balancing charges to be taken into account in calculating (under section 405(3)) the unrelieved value of the buildings or structures included any allowances or charges made to or on any seller in the sequence.

Transfers of mineral assets within group: supplementary

413
  • (1) For the purposes of section 412, a company is a group company in relation to another company if—
  • (a) it controls, or is controlled by, the other company, or
  • (b) both companies are under the control of another person.
  • (2) Section 412 does not apply if—
  • (a) section 410 (UK oil licences: limit is original licence payment) applies to the acquisition, or
  • (b) the acquisition is a sale in respect of which an election is made under section 569 (election to treat sale as being for an alternative amount).
  • (3) Section 412 applies regardless of section 568 (sales between connected persons etc., or to obtain tax advantage, treated as at market value).
  • (4) Section 412 does not affect any expenditure that is treated as qualifying expenditure on mineral exploration and access under—
  • section 407(5) (acquisition of mineral asset owned by previous trader), or
  • section 408(2) (acquisition of oil licence from non-trader).

Chapter 5 — Other kinds of qualifying expenditure

Expenditure on works likely to become valueless

414
  • (1) Expenditure is qualifying expenditure if—
  • (a) it is capital expenditure on constructing works in connection with the working of a source of mineral deposits,
  • (b) it is incurred for the purposes of a mineral extraction trade, and
  • (c) the works—
  • (i) are likely to be of little or no value, when the source is no longer worked, to the last person working the source, or
  • (ii) if the source is worked under a foreign concession, are likely to become valueless, when the concession ends, to the last person working the source under the concession.
  • (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), expenditure on constructing works does not include expenditure on acquiring the site of the works or any right in or over the site.
  • (3) In subsection (1)(c) “foreign concession” means a right or privilege granted by the government of, or any municipality or other authority in, a territory outside the United Kingdom.

Contribution to buildings or works for benefit of employees abroad

415
  • (1) Subject to subsection (3), expenditure is qualifying expenditure if—
  • (a) it is incurred by a person carrying on a mineral extraction trade outside the United Kingdom and for the purposes of that trade,
  • (b) it is a contribution consisting of a capital sum to the cost of buildings or works to which this section applies, and
  • (c) the buildings or works are likely to be of little or no value, when the source is no longer worked, to the last person working the source.
  • (2) The buildings or works to which this section applies are—
  • (a) buildings to be occupied by persons employed at or in connection with the working of a source outside the United Kingdom;
  • (b) works for the supply of water, gas or electricity wholly or mainly to buildings occupied or to be occupied by persons so employed;
  • (c) works to be used to provide other services or facilities wholly or mainly for the welfare of persons so employed or their dependants.
  • (3) Expenditure is not qualifying expenditure if the person making the contribution—
  • (a) acquires an asset as a result of the expenditure, or
  • (b) is entitled to an allowance for the expenditure under any other provision of the Tax Acts.

Expenditure on restoration within 3 years of ceasing to trade

416
  • (1) If—
  • (a) a person who has ceased to carry on a relevant mineral extraction trade incurs expenditure on the restoration of a relevant site, and
  • (b) the expenditure is incurred within 3 years from the last day of trading and meets the further conditions in subsection (3),

the net cost of the restoration is qualifying expenditure.

  • (2) The qualifying expenditure is treated as incurred on the last day of trading.
  • (3) The further conditions are that the expenditure—
  • (a) has not been deducted in calculating for tax purposes the profits of any trade carried on by that person, and
  • (b) would have been—
  • (i) deductible in calculating the profits of the trade, or
  • (ii) capable of being qualifying expenditure under this Chapter,

if the expenditure had been incurred while the trade was being carried on.

  • (4) If any expenditure incurred by a person is qualifying expenditure under this section—
  • (a) the whole of the expenditure on the restoration (not just the net cost) is not deductible in calculating the person’s income for any tax purposes, and
  • (b) none of the amounts subtracted to produce the net cost is to be treated as the person’s income for any tax purposes.
  • (5) “Restoration” includes—
  • (a) landscaping,
  • (b) in relation to land in the United Kingdom, the carrying out of any works required as a condition of granting planning permission for development consisting of the winning and working of minerals, and
  • (c) in relation to land outside the United Kingdom, the carrying out of any works required by any equivalent condition imposed under the law of the territory in which the land is situated.

But it does not include decommissioning any plant or machinery (within the meaning of section 163).

  • (6) A “relevant site” means—
  • (a) the site of a source to the working of which the relevant mineral extraction trade related, or
  • (b) land used in connection with working such a source.
  • (7) “The net cost of the restoration” means the expenditure incurred on the restoration less any amounts—
  • (a) received within 3 years from the last day of trading, and
  • (b) attributable to the restoration of the relevant site (for instance, amounts for spoil or other assets removed from the site or for tipping rights).
  • (7A) Relevant mineral extraction trade” means a mineral extraction trade that is not a ring fence trade within the meaning of Part 8 of CTA 2010 (see section 277 of that Act).
  • (8) All such adjustments are to be made, by way of discharge or repayment of tax or otherwise, as are necessary to give effect to this section.

Chapter 6 — Allowances and charges

Writing-down and balancing allowances and balancing charges

Determination of entitlement or liability

417
  • (1) Whether a person who has incurred qualifying expenditure is entitled to a writing-down allowance or a balancing allowance, or liable to a balancing charge, for a chargeable period depends on—
  • (a) how much of the expenditure is unrelieved qualifying expenditure for that period (“UQE”), and
  • (b) the total of any disposal receipts to be brought into account for that period (“TDR”) by reference to the expenditure.
  • (2) If UQE exceeds TDR, the person is entitled to a writing-down allowance or a balancing allowance for the period.
  • (3) If TDR exceeds UQE, the person is liable to a balancing charge for the period.
  • (4) The entitlement under subsection (2) is to a writing-down allowance except in cases for which sections 426 to 431 provide for the entitlement to be to a balancing allowance.

Amount of allowances and charges

418
  • (1) The amount of the writing-down allowance to which a person is entitled for any chargeable period in respect of qualifying expenditure is—
  • (a) in the case of qualifying expenditure on the acquisition of a mineral asset, 10% of the amount by which UQE exceeds TDR;
  • (b) in the case of other qualifying expenditure, 25% of the amount by which UQE exceeds TDR.
  • (2) If the chargeable period is more or less than a year, the amount of the writing-down allowance is proportionately increased or reduced.
  • (3) If the mineral extraction trade has been carried on for part only of the chargeable period, the amount of the writing-down allowance is proportionately reduced.
  • (4) The amount of the balancing charge to which a person is liable for a chargeable period in respect of qualifying expenditure is—
  • (a) the amount by which TDR exceeds UQE, or
  • (b) if less, the allowances for earlier chargeable periods in respect of the expenditure less the total of any balancing charges for those periods in respect of the expenditure.

Where a person is liable to a balancing charge in respect of first-year qualifying expenditure for the chargeable period in which he incurred the expenditure, any first-year allowance made in respect of the expenditure shall be treated for the purposes of paragraph (b) as if it were an allowance for an earlier chargeable period.

  • (5) The amount of the balancing allowance to which a person is entitled for a chargeable period in respect of qualifying expenditure is the amount by which UQE exceeds TDR.
  • (6) A person claiming a writing-down allowance or a balancing allowance may require the allowance to be reduced to a specified amount.

Unrelieved qualifying expenditure

Unrelieved qualifying expenditure

419
  • (1) A person’s unrelieved qualifying expenditure for the chargeable period in which the qualifying expenditure is incurred is
  • (a) the whole of it, unless the expenditure is first-year qualifying expenditure, or
  • (b) if the expenditure is first-year qualifying expenditure, none of it,

but paragraph (b) is subject to subsections (3) to (5).

  • (2) A person’s unrelieved qualifying expenditure for a chargeable period after that in which the qualifying expenditure is incurred is the amount, if any, by which it exceeds the aggregate of—
  • (a) the allowances made in respect of the expenditure for earlier chargeable periods, and
  • (b) the total of any disposal receipts for earlier chargeable periods.
  • (3) If, in the case of expenditure which is first-year qualifying expenditure, a disposal receipt falls to be brought into account for the chargeable period in which the expenditure is incurred (“ the initial period ”), subsection (4) below applies.
  • (4) Where this subsection applies, the unrelieved balance of the expenditure shall be taken to be unrelieved qualifying expenditure for the initial period, but only for the purpose specified in subsection (5).
  • (5) The purpose is that of determining in accordance with sections 417 and 418—
  • (a) any question whether the person who incurred the expenditure—
  • (i) is entitled to a balancing allowance for the initial period, or
  • (ii) is liable to a balancing charge for that period, and
  • (b) if so, the amount of that balancing allowance or balancing charge.
  • (6) In this section “ the unrelieved balance of the expenditure ” means so much of the first-year qualifying expenditure in question as remains after deducting the amount of any first-year allowance given in respect of the whole or any part of that expenditure.

Disposal values

Meaning of “disposal receipt”

420

In sections 417 to 419 “disposal receipt” means a disposal value that a person is required to bring into account in accordance with—

  • (a) sections 421 to 425, or
  • (b) section 614BS of ITA 2007 or section 918 of CTA 2010 (cases where expenditure taken into account under Part 2, 5 or 8 of this Act) or any other enactment.

Disposal of, or ceasing to use, asset

421
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) a person has incurred qualifying expenditure on providing assets (including the construction of works), and
  • (b) any of those assets—
  • (i) is disposed of, or
  • (ii) permanently ceases to be used by him for the purposes of a mineral extraction trade (whether because of the discontinuance of the trade or for any other reason).
  • (2) The person is required to bring the disposal value of the asset into account for the chargeable period in which the disposal or cessation occurs.

Use of asset otherwise than for permitted development etc.

422
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) a person has acquired a mineral asset,
  • (b) at any time after the acquisition, the asset begins to be used (by him or another person) in a way which constitutes development, and
  • (c) the development is not—
  • (i) existing permitted development, or
  • (ii) development for the purposes of a mineral extraction trade carried on by the person.
  • (2) The person is required to bring the disposal value of the mineral asset into account for the chargeable period in which the use begins.
  • (3) Development is existing permitted development if at the time of the acquisition—
  • (a) it has been, or had begun to be, lawfully carried out, or
  • (b) it could be lawfully carried out under planning permission granted by a general development order.
  • (4) In applying subsection (3) in relation to land outside the United Kingdom—
  • (a) whether, at the time of the acquisition, development has been, or had begun to be, lawfully carried out is to be determined according to the law of the territory in which the land is situated, and
  • (b) whether, at that time, development could be lawfully carried out under planning permission granted by a general development order is to be determined as if the land were in England.

Sections 421 and 422: amount of disposal value to be brought into account

423
  • (1) The disposal value to be brought into account under section 421 or 422 depends on the event requiring it to be brought into account, as shown in the Table—
1. Event 2. Disposal value
1. Sale of the asset, except in a case where item 2 applies. The net proceeds of the sale, together with—(a) any insurance money received in respect of the asset as a result of an event affecting the price obtainable on the sale, and(b) any other compensation of any description so received, so far as it consists of capital sums.
2. Sale of the asset where—(a) the sale is at less than market value,(b) there is no charge to tax under ITEPA 2003, and(c) the condition in subsection (3) is met by the buyer. The market value of the asset at the time of the sale.
3. Demolition or destruction of the asset. The net amount received for the remains of the asset, together with—(a) any insurance money received in respect of the demolition or destruction, and(b) any other compensation of any description so received, so far as it consists of capital sums.
4. Permanent loss of the asset otherwise than as a result of its demolition or destruction. Any insurance money received in respect of the loss and, so far as it consists of capital sums, any other compensation of any description so received.
5. Permanent discontinuance of the trade followed by the occurrence of an event within any of items 1 to 4. The disposal value for the item in question.
6. Any event not falling within any of items 1 to 5. The market value of the asset at the time of the event.
  • (2) The amounts referred to in column 2 of the Table are those received by the person required to bring the disposal value into account.
  • (3) The condition referred to in item 2 of the Table is met by the buyer if—
  • (a) the buyer’s expenditure on the acquisition of the asset cannot be qualifying expenditure under Part 2 or 6 (plant and machinery and research and development allowances), or
  • (b) the buyer is a dual resident investing company which is connected with the seller.

Disposal value restricted in case of interest in land

424
  • (1) If the asset in relation to which a disposal value is required to be brought into account under section 421 or 422 is an interest in land, the disposal value is restricted by excluding the undeveloped market value of the interest.
  • (2) “The undeveloped market value of the interest” means the amount that, at the time of the disposal, the interest might reasonably be expected to fetch on a sale in the open market on the assumptions in subsection (3).
  • (3) The assumptions are that—
  • (a) there is no source of mineral deposits on or in the land, and
  • (b) it will only ever be lawful to carry out existing permitted development.
  • (4) Development is existing permitted development if at the time of the disposal—
  • (a) it has been, or had begun to be, lawfully carried out, or
  • (b) it could be lawfully carried out under planning permission granted by a general development order.
  • (5) In applying subsection (4) in relation to land outside the United Kingdom—
  • (a) whether, at the time of the disposal, development has been, or had begun to be, lawfully carried out is to be determined according to the law of the territory in which the land is situated, and
  • (b) whether, at that time, development could be lawfully carried out under planning permission granted by a general development order is to be determined as if the land were in England.

Receipt of capital sum

425
  • (1) This section applies if a person—
  • (a) has incurred qualifying expenditure, and
  • (b) receives a capital sum which, in whole or in part, it is reasonable to attribute to that expenditure.
  • (2) The person is required to bring into account as a disposal value for the chargeable period in which the capital sum is received so much of the capital sum as is reasonably attributable to the qualifying expenditure.
  • (3) This section does not apply if the capital sum falls to be brought into account under section 421 or 422.

Cases in which a person is entitled to a balancing allowance

Pre-trading expenditure

426

A person’s entitlement to an allowance for a chargeable period is to a balancing allowance if—

  • (a) the expenditure is qualifying expenditure under—
  • (i) section 401(4) (pre-trading exploration expenditure where exploration etc. has ceased before first day of trading), or
  • (ii) section 402 (pre-trading expenditure on plant or machinery), and
  • (b) the first day of trading occurs in that chargeable period.

Giving up exploration, search or inquiry

427

A person’s entitlement to an allowance for a chargeable period is to a balancing allowance if—

  • (a) the qualifying expenditure is expenditure on mineral exploration and access,
  • (b) he gives up the exploration, search or inquiry to which the expenditure related in that chargeable period, and
  • (c) he does not then or later carry on a mineral extraction trade which consists of or includes the working of mineral deposits to which the expenditure related.

Ceasing to work mineral deposits

428
  • (1) A person’s entitlement to an allowance for a chargeable period is to a balancing allowance if—
  • (a) in that chargeable period he permanently ceases to work particular mineral deposits, and
  • (b) the qualifying expenditure is expenditure incurred—
  • (i) on mineral exploration and access relating solely to those deposits, or
  • (ii) on acquiring a mineral asset consisting of those deposits or part of them.
  • (2) If the person carrying on the mineral extraction trade is entitled to two or more mineral assets which at any time were—
  • (a) comprised in a single mineral asset, or
  • (b) otherwise derived from a single mineral asset,

subsection (1) does not apply until such time as the person permanently ceases to work the deposits comprised in all the mineral assets concerned taken together.

  • (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), if a mineral asset relates to, but does not actually consist of, mineral deposits, the deposits to which the asset relates are to be treated as comprised in the asset.

Buildings etc. for benefit of employees abroad ceasing to be used

429

A person’s entitlement to an allowance for a chargeable period is to a balancing allowance if—

  • (a) the expenditure is qualifying expenditure under section 415 (contributions to buildings or works for benefit of employees abroad), and
  • (b) in that chargeable period the buildings or works permanently cease to be used for the purposes of or in connection with the mineral extraction trade.

Disposal of asset, etc.

430
  • (1) A person’s entitlement to an allowance for a chargeable period is to a balancing allowance if—
  • (a) the qualifying expenditure was incurred on the provision of any assets, and
  • (b) in that chargeable period any of those assets—
  • (i) is disposed of, or
  • (ii) otherwise permanently ceases to be used by him for the purposes of the mineral extraction trade.
  • (2) A person’s entitlement to an allowance for a chargeable period is to a balancing allowance if any of the following events occurs in that chargeable period in relation to assets representing the qualifying expenditure—
  • (a) the person loses possession of the assets in circumstances where it is reasonable to assume that the loss is permanent;
  • (b) the assets cease to exist as such (as a result of destruction, dismantling or otherwise);
  • (c) the assets begin to be used wholly or partly for purposes other than those of the mineral extraction trade carried on by the person.

Discontinuance of trade

431

A person’s entitlement to an allowance for a chargeable period is to a balancing allowance if in that chargeable period the mineral extraction trade is permanently discontinued.

Chapter 7 — Supplementary provisions

Giving effect to allowances and charges

432
  • (1) An allowance or charge to which a person is entitled or liable under this Part is to be given effect in calculating the profits of that person’s mineral extraction trade, by treating—
  • (a) the allowance as an expense of the trade, and
  • (b) the charge as a receipt of the trade.
  • (2) This section is subject to section 6E (giving effect to allowances and charges: NI rate activity cases).

Treatment of demolition costs

433
  • (1) The net cost to a person of demolishing an asset which represents qualifying expenditure is added to that qualifying expenditure in determining the amount of any balancing allowance or balancing charge for the chargeable period in which the demolition occurs.
  • (2) “The net cost of the demolition” means the amount, if any, by which the cost of the demolition exceeds any money received for the remains of the asset.
  • (3) If this section applies, the net cost of the demolition is not treated as expenditure incurred on any other asset which replaces the demolished asset.

Time when expenditure incurred

434
  • (1) For the purposes of this Part, expenditure incurred for the purposes of a mineral extraction trade by a person about to carry it on is treated as incurred by that person on the first day on which that person does carry it on.
  • (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to pre-trading expenditure on mineral exploration and access (for which specific provision is made by section 400(4)).

Shares in assets

435
  • (1) This Part applies in relation to a share in an asset as it applies (under section 571) in relation to a part of an asset.
  • (2) For the purposes of those provisions, a share in an asset is treated as used for the purposes of a trade so long as, and only so long as, the asset is used for the purposes of the trade.

Meaning of “development” etc.

436
  • (1) In this Part—
  • development
  • development order”,
  • general development order”, and
  • planning permission”,

have the meaning given by the relevant planning enactment.

  • (2) “The relevant planning enactment” means—
  • (a) in relation to land in England or Wales, section 336(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8);
  • (b) in relation to land in Scotland, section 277(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (c. 8);
  • (c) in relation to land in Northern Ireland, section 250(1) of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Part 6 — Research and development allowances

Chapter 1 — Introduction

Research and development allowances

437
  • (1) Allowances are available under this Part if a person incurs qualifying expenditure on research and development.
  • (2) In this Part “research and development”—
  • (a) means activities that fall to be treated as research and development in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice, and
  • (b) includes oil and gas exploration and appraisal.
  • (3) But—
  • (a) activities that, as a result of regulations made under section 1006 of ITA 2007, are “research and development” for the purposes of that section are also “research and development” for the purposes of this Part, and
  • (b) activities that, as a result of any such regulations, are not “research and development” for the purposes of that section are also not “research and development” for the purposes of this Part.

Expenditure on research and development

438
  • (1) Expenditure on research and development includes all expenditure incurred for—
  • (a) carrying out research and development, or
  • (b) providing facilities for carrying out research and development.
  • (2) But it does not include expenditure incurred in the acquisition of—
  • (a) rights in research and development, or
  • (b) rights arising out of research and development.
  • (3) Nor does it include expenditure on the provision of a dwelling.
  • (4) But if—
  • (a) part of a building consists of a dwelling and the rest of the building is used for research and development, and
  • (b) no more than 25% of the capital expenditure referable to the construction or acquisition of the whole building is referable to the construction or acquisition of the dwelling,

the whole of the building is to be treated as used for research and development.

  • (5) For the purposes of subsection (4)(b), the expenditure referable to the construction or acquisition of the building is to be apportioned in a just and reasonable manner.
  • (6) Any additional VAT liability or rebate (as to which see Chapter 4) is to be disregarded in applying subsection (4)(b).

Chapter 2 — Qualifying expenditure

Qualifying expenditure

439
  • (1) In this Part “qualifying expenditure” means capital expenditure incurred by a person on research and development directly undertaken by him or on his behalf if—
  • (a) he is carrying on a trade when the expenditure is incurred and the research and development relates to that trade, or
  • (b) after incurring the expenditure he sets up and commences a trade connected with the research and development.
  • (2) The same expenditure may not be taken into account as qualifying expenditure in relation to more than one trade.
  • (3) The trade by reference to which expenditure is qualifying expenditure is referred to in this Part as “the relevant trade” in relation to that expenditure.
  • (4) If capital expenditure is partly within subsection (1) and partly not, the expenditure is to be apportioned in a just and reasonable manner.
  • (5) References in this Chapter to research and development related to a trade include—
  • (a) research and development which may lead to or facilitate an extension of that trade, and
  • (b) research and development of a medical nature which has a special relation to the welfare of workers employed in that trade.

Excluded expenditure: land

440
  • (1) Expenditure on the acquisition of land, or rights in or over land, is not qualifying expenditure.
  • (2) But that does not prevent such expenditure from being qualifying expenditure so far as it is referable to the acquisition of—
  • (a) a building or structure already constructed on the land,
  • (b) rights in or over such a building or structure, or
  • (c) plant or machinery which forms part of such a building or structure.
  • (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the expenditure is to be apportioned in a just and reasonable manner.

Chapter 3 — Allowances and charges

Allowances

441
  • (1) A person who incurs qualifying expenditure is entitled to an allowance in respect of that expenditure for the relevant chargeable period equal to—
  • (a) the amount of the qualifying expenditure, or
  • (b) if a disposal value is required to be brought into account for that period in respect of that expenditure, the amount (if any) by which that expenditure exceeds the disposal value.
  • (2) The relevant chargeable period is—
  • (a) the chargeable period in which the expenditure is incurred, or
  • (b) if the expenditure was incurred before the chargeable period in which the relevant trade is set up and commenced, that chargeable period.
  • (3) A person claiming an allowance under this section may require the allowance to be reduced to a specified amount.

Balancing charges

442
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) an allowance is made to a person for a chargeable period in respect of qualifying expenditure, and
  • (b) the person is required to bring a disposal value into account for a later chargeable period in respect of that expenditure.
  • (2) The person is liable to a balancing charge for the later chargeable period in respect of the qualifying expenditure.
  • (3) The amount of the balancing charge is—
  • (a) the amount (if any) by which the disposal value to be brought into account for the period exceeds any unclaimed allowance, or
  • (b) if less, the allowance made in respect of the qualifying expenditure.
  • (4) “Unclaimed allowance” means any part of the allowance to which the person was entitled in respect of the qualifying expenditure but which has not been claimed.
  • (5) This section is to be read with section 449 (effect on balancing charges of additional VAT rebates in earlier chargeable periods).

Disposal values and disposal events

443
  • (1) A person is required to bring a disposal value into account in respect of qualifying expenditure incurred by him if—
  • (a) he ceases to own an asset representing the expenditure, or
  • (b) an asset representing the expenditure is demolished or destroyed at a time when he owns the asset.
  • (2) Subsection (1) is to be read with section 555 (disposal of oil licence with exploitation value).
  • (3) But a person is not required to bring a disposal value into account under subsection (1) if the disposal event gives rise to a balancing charge under Part 2 ... (plant and machinery allowances ...).
  • (4) The disposal value to be brought into account under subsection (1) depends on the disposal event, as shown in the Table—
1. Disposal event 2. Disposal value
1. Sale of the asset at not less than market value. The net proceeds of the sale.
2. Demolition or destruction of the asset. The net amount received for the remains of the asset, together with—(a) any insurance money received in respect of the demolition or destruction, and(b) any other compensation of any description so received, so far as it consists of capital sums.
3. Any event not falling within item 1 or 2. The market value of the asset at the time of the event.
  • (5) Subsection (4) is subject to—
  • section 445 (costs of demolition),
  • section 553 (nil value in case of disposal of oil licence relating to undeveloped area), and
  • section 555 (disposal of oil licence with exploitation value).
  • (6) A person is also required to bring a disposal value into account by section 448 (additional VAT rebate generates disposal value).
  • (7) In this Chapter “disposal event” means an event of a kind that requires a disposal value to be brought into account under subsection (1).

Disposal events: chargeable period for which disposal value is to be brought into account

444
  • (1) The chargeable period for which a disposal value is to be brought into account under section 443(1) in respect of qualifying expenditure is given by this section.
  • (2) Subsection (3) applies if the disposal event occurs in or after the chargeable period for which the allowance in respect of the expenditure is made.
  • (3) The disposal value is to be brought into account for—
  • (a) the chargeable period in which the event occurs, or
  • (b) if the event occurs after the chargeable period in which the relevant trade is permanently discontinued, that chargeable period.
  • (4) If the disposal event occurs before the chargeable period for which the allowance in respect of the expenditure is made, the disposal value is to be brought into account for that chargeable period.

Costs of demolition

445
  • (1) This section applies if—
  • (a) an asset representing qualifying expenditure incurred by a person is demolished at a time when the person owns the asset, and
  • (b) the person incurred costs of demolition.
  • (2) The disposal value which the person is required to bring into account in respect of the qualifying expenditure is to be reduced by the cost to the person of the demolition.
  • (3) If the amount of the disposal value is reduced to nil (or less than nil) under subsection (2), the person is not required to bring a disposal value into account.
  • (4) If—
  • (a) the cost to the person of the demolition exceeds the disposal value, and
  • (b) before its demolition the asset had not begun to be used for purposes other than research and development related to the relevant trade,

the person is to be treated as incurring qualifying expenditure equal to the excess.

  • (5) That qualifying expenditure is to be treated as incurred—
  • (a) when the demolition occurs, or
  • (b) if that is on or after the date on which the relevant trade is permanently discontinued, immediately before the discontinuance.
  • (6) If this section applies, the cost to the person of the demolition is not to be treated for the purposes of this Act as expenditure on any property that replaces the demolished asset.

Chapter 4 — Additional VAT liabilities and rebates

Introduction

446

For the purposes of this Chapter—

  • (a) “additional VAT liability” and “additional VAT rebate” have the meaning given by section 547,
  • (b) the time when—
  • (i) a person incurs an additional VAT liability, or
  • (ii) an additional VAT rebate is made to a person,

is given by section 548, and

  • (c) the chargeable period in which, and the time when, an additional VAT liability or an additional VAT rebate accrues are given by section 549.

Additional VAT liability treated as additional expenditure etc.

447
  • (1) If a person—
  • (a) has incurred qualifying expenditure (“the original expenditure”), and
  • (b) incurs an additional VAT liability in respect of that expenditure,

the liability is to be treated as capital expenditure incurred on the same research and development as the original expenditure.

  • (2) But subsection (1) does not apply if by the time the liability is incurred—
  • (a) the person who incurred the original expenditure has ceased to own the asset representing that expenditure, or
  • (b) that asset has been demolished or destroyed.
  • (3) Any allowance arising as a result of this section is available for—
  • (a) the chargeable period in which the liability accrues, or

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