Writing-down and small-pool allowances
Main- and special-rate pool relief, including the 2026 company-rate change.
Main- and special-rate pool relief, including the 2026 company-rate change.
Current company main-pool rate
Reviewed · Current · Law · From 1 April 2026
14%
The main-pool writing-down allowance rate is 14% for a company chargeable period beginning on or after 1 April 2026.
A period beginning before and ending on or after 1 April 2026 uses the statutory day-weighted hybrid rate, rounded up to two decimal places as a percentage.
Exceptions and branches
- A straddling period uses a hybrid rate rather than 14% for the whole period.
- Short periods proportionately reduce the allowance amount.
Current special-rate-pool rate
Reviewed · Current · Law · From 1 April 2019
6%
The special-rate-pool writing-down allowance rate is 6% for chargeable periods beginning on or after 1 April 2019 for Corporation Tax.
The 2026 main-pool reduction did not change the special-rate-pool rate.
Exceptions and branches
- Short periods proportionately reduce the allowance amount.
Small-pool allowance
Reviewed · Current · Law · Current reviewed treatment; earlier start date not yet established
£1,000
A main or special-rate pool at or below the adjusted £1,000 limit may be written off instead of taking the normal writing-down allowance.
The limit is proportionately adjusted for a short period. A claimant cannot take both the small-pool and normal writing-down allowance for the same pool and period.
Exceptions and branches
- It does not apply to a single-asset pool.
Company main-pool rate before April 2026
Reviewed · Historic · Law · 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2026
18%
The main-pool writing-down allowance rate was 18% for a company chargeable period beginning from 1 April 2012 through 31 March 2026.
A period straddling a rate change uses a day-weighted hybrid rate rather than either flat headline rate.
Exceptions and branches
- Short periods proportionately reduce the allowance amount.
Worked example
A company's year to 31 December 2026 straddles the main-pool rate change. Ninety days fall before 1 April and 275 fall on or after it. The statutory day-weighted rate is rounded up to 14.99%. On a £10,000 opening main pool the maximum writing-down allowance is £1,499.
This follows the Finance Act 2026 transition and HMRC's published example; using either 18% or 14% for the whole year would be wrong.
What changed
- 31 March 2026: The main-pool writing-down allowance rate was 18% for a company chargeable period beginning from 1 April 2012 through 31 March 2026.
Related concepts
Linked from
Sources
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Capital Allowances Act 2001, section 56 — Section 56(1), (3) and (5). Primary authority.
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Finance Act 2026, section 28 — Section 28. Primary authority.
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CA23222: Hybrid rate of writing-down allowance — Hybrid-rate method and Finance Act 2026 worked example. Official guidance.
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Capital Allowances Act 2001, section 104D — Section 104D(1). Primary authority.
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Capital Allowances Act 2001, section 56A — Section 56A. Primary authority.
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CA23225: Writing-down allowances for small pools — Eligibility, £1,000 limit and short-period adjustment. Official guidance.
Knowledge version: sterling-knowledge@2026-09-11.7. Last checked 11 September 2026.