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Q: We are a start-up business currently having a bespoke website built (total cost will be around £10k). Will this be treated as a capital cost or trading expense by the revenue?

Sep 29 2008

Answered by: Clive Lewis Ask a question

HMRC considers computer programmes and data of any kind as “Computer Software” (except items such as spreadsheets) eligible for capital allowances.

Software might be classified as capital expenditure where it may be expected to function as a tool of the trade for several years. So how long do you expect the website design to last? If it’s useful economic life is less than two years it is likely to be treated as revenue.

You may want to seek guidance from the website designers on its economic life and the more information you can provide the better (you do not give details of the expenditure or the nature of the website – other than it is a bespoke website- so it is only possible to give general principles).

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