Capital Cost Allowance

Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) is the means by which Canadian businesses may claim depreciation expense. Depreciable assets are deemed to belong to different classes which depreciate at various rates as set out by legislation. Except in limited cases, the value of all assets belonging to that class are accumulated in a pool, and the designated percentage for that class may be claimed on the balance remaining in that class at the end of the taxation year. CCA may only be claimed commencing in taxation years that the assets are available for use. Generally, only one-half of value of net additions to the class are used for the purposes of the current year's calculation for most asset classes.

Some examples of asset classes are,

Class Rate Description
Class 1 4% Buildings acquired after 1987
Class 3 5% Building acquired before 1987
Class 8 20% Assets not included in other classes
Class 9 25% Aircraft
Class 10 30% Cars costing less than 30 000
Class 12 100% (no half year rule) Small equipment and tools costing less than $500
Class 13 Original lease period plus one renewal period

(Minimum 5 years and Maximum 40 years)

Improvements made to leased premises
Class 14 Length of life of property (no half year rule) Franchises, Concessions, Patents, and Licences
Class 17 8% Parking lots
Class 43 30% Machinery and equipment used for production
Class 44 Patents acquired after April 26, 1993
Class 45 45% Computer equipment and systems software acquired after March 22, 2004 and before March 19, 2007
Class 46 30% Data network equipment acquired after March 22, 2004
Class 50 55% Computer equipment and systems software acquired after March 18, 2007
Class 52 100% (no half year rule) Computer equipment and systems software acquired after January 27, 2009 and before February 2011. Only applies to new equipment used in Canada.

In contrast to the practice followed in the United States for depreciation there is no penalty for failing to claim Capital Cost Allowance. Where a taxpayer claims less than the amount of CCA to which he is entitled the pool remains intact, and available for claims in future years. Unclaimed amounts are not subject to recapture.

Famous quotes containing the words capital, cost and/or allowance:

    The duty of government is to leave commerce to its own capital and credit as well as all other branches of business, protecting all in their legal pursuits, granting exclusive privileges to none.
    Andrew Jackson (1767–1845)

    Now that is the wisdom of a man, in every instance of his labor, to hitch his wagon to a star, and see his chore done by the gods themselves. That is the way we are strong, by borrowing the might of the elements. The forces of steam, gravity, galvanism, light, magnets, wind, fire, serve us day by day and cost us nothing.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    A stirring dwarf we do allowance give
    Before a sleeping giant.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)