Creating a website or a complete redesign is likely to be capital costs.
website costs
can be broadly classified as capital expenditures or ongoing operating costs. Operating (maintenance) costs will normally be deductible as an exit from business. The creation of a completely new website, or the creation of significant new functionality for that website, will be included in capital expenditures.Typically, the cost incurred in creating, designing, developing, and programming a website will be treated as a capital asset. It's also the time when the company can purchase all the hardware needed to support the website. These purchases will follow existing capitalization policies, be included in the balance sheet and amortized. Capital Expenses: Expense is non-deductible or deductible for several years as in-house software based on capital allocation provisions.
Capital expenses incurred in connection with the creation or modification of a website can be deducted according to depreciation rules if classified as in-house software. In-house software is defined as software, or the right to use software, which is primarily for the taxpayer (or their associate) to use in performing the functions for which the software was developed. The cost incurred in developing in-house software can be deducted for 5 years from the time it is used or installed ready to use. Alternatively, the expense can be allocated to a software development group or (if applicable) treated under simplified amortization rules for small businesses (including instant asset amortization provisions).
If you create or maintain a website for your business, you may be able to claim the associated expenses as a deduction. You can amortize a website's expenses over time. If you have chosen to allocate your website expenses to a software development group, the expenses will have an effective life of 5 years (if incurred on or after July 1, 2017). A website is considered an intangible asset that consists of software and the content available on the website to the extent that they have no separate identity or value.
HMRC also publishes a “Capital Expenditure vs Revenue Toolkit” that provides specific guidance on website development projects and also notes that a website project is primarily a CapEx. Capital expenditures may be deductible according to a number of possible tax provisions, depending on the nature and purpose of the expenditure. A capital expenditure is an amount spent to acquire or improve a long-term asset, such as equipment or buildings. The guide states that “if the costs incurred create a durable asset, consideration should be given to treating expenditure as capital.
The judgment considers whether various expenses incurred in connection with the websites would be of an income or capital nature. There are also some guidelines in HMRC's “Capital Expenditure vs Revenue Toolkit” that state that if the costs incurred create a durable asset, consideration should be given to treating spending as capital. You can apply for a multi-year deduction for building construction expenses and other capital works, such as structural improvements, that are used to generate income. (via public auction) is likely to be a capital expense and not deductible, although it will form part of the asset's cost base for capital gains tax purposes.
Other business-related capital expenses for which you can claim a tax deduction include the cost of establishing or ceasing a business (commonly known as a black hole expense) and project-related expenses. The right to use a commercially desirable domain name can have considerable market value that does not diminish over time. .
