My company is planning to get a new Freelander car (emissions 185g/km). It will keep the car for three years and then trade it in. What tax allowances will the company get for the cost of the car over those three years?
As the vehicle has high emissions the full cost of the car must be allocated to the special rate pool for capital allowances. Currently, 10% of the balance of the special rate pool is set against the company’s profits for tax purposes each year. However, from April 2012 only 8% of the balance in the special rate pool will be tax allowable. When the car is traded in after three years the trade-in value will be deducted from the balance on the special rate pool. However, if the company makes a loss on the car that loss cannot be deducted from the company’s profits for the year.
