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THE CAPITAL ALLOWANCE ACT 2001

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHY HASN’T MY ACCOUNTANT CLAIMED CAPITAL ALLOWANCES ON MY BEHALF?

Embedded Capital Allowance claims require expert knowledge in both property surveying and specialist tax legislation. Most accounting firms may not have the needed resources or expertise to prepare claims that withstand HMRC scrutiny.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR EMBEDDED CAPITAL ALLOWANCE RELIEF?

If you or your company pays tax in the UK and owns a commercial property, you likely qualify for an Embedded Capital Allowance claim.

WHY IS SO LITTLE KNOWN ABOUT EMBEDDED CAPITAL ALLOWANCES?

Embedded Capital Allowances, while available for many years, need specialist knowledge to identify, value, and claim. HMA Tax comprises a team of Tax Experts and Surveyors specialising in identifying these allowances and crafting legitimate claims across the UK.

WHAT IF MY ACCOUNTANT ALREADY DEALS WITH MY TAX AFFAIRS?

Accountants are adept at claiming for invoiced expenses like office furniture and computers. However, a typical firm might not have the necessary resources or surveying skills to identify unseen capital items integral to a building’s fabric.

I BOUGHT MY PROPERTY 8-15 YEARS AGO - AM I STILL ELIGIBLE?

For properties bought or built before April 2014, there are no time restrictions on eligible claims. From April 2014, however, new rules introduced a tax year time limit where allowances have previously been claimed. We recommend urgent advice if your property falls into this category post-April 2014.

WILL CLAIMING CAPITAL ALLOWANCES REDUCE THE VALUE OF MY PROPERTY?

No. Property valuations do not consider these allowances. Yet, if allowances have been identified and valued, they might help negotiate a higher selling price in the future.

HOW LONG WILL MY SURVEY TAKE?

The duration varies from a couple of hours to a few days, depending on the property’s size. Our Surveyors aim to minimise inconvenience to your business during this process.

WHAT DOES A SURVEY COST?

The survey costs are factored into our fees. There are no extra charges for a property survey, regardless of property size or quantity.

WHAT CAN I DO TO AID THE SURVEYOR?

Providing floor plans and building reports before a survey can be immensely helpful. Such documents can often reduce the survey duration by up to 50%.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SURVEY?

Since you know your property best, we’ll send you our Survey Review Form. This online form helps our Tax Specialists pinpoint property items eligible for Capital Allowances and those previously claimed.

HOW LONG DOES THE SURVEY REVIEW TAKE?

Completing the Survey Review Form, a brief online questionnaire, only takes a few minutes. You only need your knowledge of the property, and no additional information is necessary.

IS THE SURVEY REVIEW FOR FEEDBACK?

No. The survey review form is crucial for an accurate Embedded Capital Allowance Claim. After its completion, our Tax Specialists can finalise your ECA Report. For service reviews, you can visit our Google Reviews page.

HOW DO I SUBMIT AN EMBEDDED CAPITAL ALLOWANCE CLAIM?

Please review the report for completeness and accuracy. Then, collaborate with us to plan the submission to HMRC.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY TAX RELIEF AND REFUND?

You will typically receive your refund or relief within 28 days of submission to HMRC.

WHAT IF I AM BUYING OR SELLING A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY? CAN I STILL CLAIM?

It’s crucial to contact us immediately. Unless appropriate clauses are incorporated into contracts before their exchange, valuable tax relief might be lost.

DO I NEED TO OWN THE PROPERTY TO CLAIM?

Yes, to be eligible for an Embedded Capital Allowance claim, you or your company should own the commercial property in the UK.

CAN I CLAIM EMBEDDED CAPITAL ALLOWANCES ON LEASED PROPERTIES?

Yes Capital Allowances can be claimed on leased properties, however the benefit largely depends on the lease terms and who has been responsible for the capital expenditure. It’s best to consult with us for a detailed assessment.

HOW IS HMA TAX DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FIRMS OFFERING SIMILAR SERVICES?

HMA Tax combines the expertise of Tax Experts and Surveyors, ensuring a comprehensive and compliant claim process that stands up to HMRC scrutiny.

WHAT IF I'VE RENOVATED OR MADE ADDITIONS TO MY PROPERTY?

Renovations and additions can potentially qualify for additional allowances. It’s essential to have a survey conducted post-renovation to identify qualifying items.

ARE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ELIGIBLE FOR EMBEDDED CAPITAL ALLOWANCES?

Embedded Capital Allowances are primarily for commercial properties. However, certain types of larger residential properties or those used for business purposes might qualify. It’s best to consult with our team for clarity.

DO I NEED TO NOTIFY MY ACCOUNTANT BEFORE PURSUING A CLAIM WITH HMA TAX?

While it’s not mandatory, it’s always a good idea to keep your accountant informed as they handle your broader financial matters.

WHAT HAPPENS IF HMRC QUESTIONS MY CLAIM?

Our team ensures each claim is compliant and well-documented. Should HMRC have queries, we are here to assist and support you throughout the process.

ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SERVICE?

No, our fees are transparent, and the property survey costs are included. There are no additional charges.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I RE-EVALUATE MY PROPERTY FOR CAPITAL ALLOWANCES?

It’s a good idea to re-evaluate after any significant renovations, changes, or after a set period, e.g., every 5 years, to ensure all eligible items are identified and claimed.

CAN I CLAIM EMBEDDED CAPITAL ALLOWANCES FOR MULTIPLE PROPERTIES?

Absolutely. If you or your company own multiple commercial properties, each property can potentially qualify for an Embedded Capital Allowance claim.

WHAT IF MY PROPERTY IS OUTSIDE THE UK?

Embedded Capital Allowance claims are specific to properties in the UK. However, if your overseas property has UK tax implications, it might be worth discussing with our team.

DO YOU WORK WITH PARTNERS OR REFERRALS?

Yes, we often collaborate with accountants and other professionals to ensure our clients receive comprehensive services.

We partner with some of the UK’s largest legal and accountancy firms as their preferred Capital Allowance Partner.

IS MY INFORMATION SECURE WITH HMA TAX?

Absolutely. We prioritise the confidentiality and security of all client information. Our processes are GDPR compliant, and we maintain strict data security protocols and we are members of the ICAEW, a qualification that is globally recognised as the one of the highest standards of professional practice.

HOW DO I START THE CLAIM PROCESS WITH HMA TAX?

Starting is simple. Contact our team, and we will guide you through the initial assessment and the steps that follow.