The Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme enables businesses to claim a 100% first year capital allowance on investments in certain energy saving equipment, against the taxable profits of the period of investment.
Capital allowances enable businesses to write off the capital cost of purchasing new plant or machinery (e.g. boilers, motors), against their taxable profits. For more information on capital allowances, please click here.The general rate of capital allowances is 20% (18% from April 2012) a year on a reducing balance basis. Some technologies supported by the ECA Scheme (e.g. boilers, lighting) are included in a special capital allowances pool where the general rate of capital allowances is 10% (8% from April 2012).
If a business spent £1000 on a new electric motor, claimed a standard capital allowance at the 20% rate (18% from 2012) and paid 26% corporation or income tax (the main rate which will reduce to 25% from 2012 - other rates exist, see HMRC) then the tax relief would be £52 in the first year. Further tax relief could be claimed in subsequent years. If however the business invested in a higher efficiency motor listed on the Energy Technology List then it could claim an Enhanced Capital Allowance, giving a one-off 100% tax relief of £260.
Additional benefits of purchasing ECA qualifying energy efficient technologies could include: improved cash flow, lower energy bills, reduction in Climate Change Levy or CRC payment.
Further information on the benefits of capital allowances are given in ECA 272 - The Enhanced Capital Allowances scheme.