Enhanced Capital Allowances Tax Relief for Businesses Investing in Technologies Benefiting Water Use and Quality

The ECA Scheme What is the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme designed to do? What are they worth to companies? Which products and technologies can qualify? How to claim How can you find out more about ECAs?

The ECA Scheme - Aims To encourage businesses to invest in more sustainable technologies: Through providing fiscal incentive to users; and Through providing a marketing tool for manufacturers, thereby encouraging innovation

The ECA Scheme ECAs provide: Fiscal incentives to users designed to encourage companies to choose water efficient and water quality enhancing products and technologies Tax relief on qualifying investments within one year, delivering significant cash flow boost and shortening the payback period on investment

The ECA Scheme Products and technologies qualifying for an ECA are listed on the Water Technology List and encourage sustainable water use They deliver significant long-term financial benefits – e.g. just by being water efficient - over and above the enhanced tax relief

How much of an incentive is it? Assuming there are sufficient profits for the Capital Allowances to be written off against and a Corporation Tax rate of 30%: Capital Allowances are a benefit of £7.50 for every £100 spent 100% First Year Allowances (or ECAs) are benefit of £30 for every £100 spent All allowances due in first year – positively affecting cash flow Additional benefits over 10 years

How much is the enhanced tax benefit?

The Water Technology List Details of qualifying products and technologies can be found on the Water Technology List, which is in two parts: Water Technology Criteria List Published in July 2003 Sets out the technologies and their specific criteria Reviewed on an annual basis Water Technology Product List To be published Autumn 2003 Lists all qualifying products on which the tax relief can be claimed Updated monthly

Specific qualifying products and technologies Meters and monitoring equipment Flow controllers Leakage detection equipment Low flush toilets Efficient taps Rainwater Harvesting Equipment

How much can you claim? The price paid for a new product Costs directly associated with the installation of the kit For more details see or Claims can be made only for products appearing on the Water Technology List at the time of investment

How you claim Claim your ECA as part of your normal income /corporation tax return calculations:

How to find out more Visit the ECA web site: Contains the Water Technology List Provides contact details for manufacturers and suppliers Includes news, forthcoming events and downloadable information »

How to find out more Call the Environment and Energy Helpline for Free advice from experts To order ECA publications To find out about forthcoming ECA events

How to find out more Other people to ask: Your environmental advisor Your supplier / equipment installer  Is the equipment they are recommending on the Water Technology List? Your financial advisor

The Future Scope is being continually expanded – details of new products and technologies will be featured on the ECA web site Development of water quality enhancing technologies Information online on how to make Defra aware of technologies which could be considered for addition to the Water Technology Criteria Lists in the future

Other sources of useful information Environment and Energy Helpline