CG76791 | Wasting assets: computation: example 1 using T(1)/L

From HM Revenue & Customs · Capital Gains Manual

TCGA92/S46

Mr S purchases from a descendant the copyright over the memoirs of a writer 20 years after the end of the year in which the writer died. That copyright is, therefore, a wasting asset since it now has a predictable life of fifty years, see CG76723. He pays the descendant £90,000 for it but does not expect it to have any residual value in fifty years time.

He later sells after twenty years for £80,000.

Subject to any incidental expenses, his Capital Gains computation will be:

£
Disposal Proceeds80,000
LessAcquisition cost [E(1)]90,000
==
L505
[E(1)-S]=[90,000-0]=90,000
x[E(1)-S]=x90,000=
L5
Gain26,000

NOTE. Companies and other concerns within the charge to Corporation Tax may be able to claim indexation allowance see CG17200C.