Writing-Down Allowances for Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)

Key requirements

Qualifying acquisitions are extended through the last day of the basis period for YA 2028. Both legal and economic ownership normally transfer, unless EDB grants the stated legal-ownership waiver. Specified IP includes patents, trademarks and other protected rights, with exclusions for customer information and routine process material. Incidental legal, registration and stamp duty costs are excluded from the section 19B acquisition expenditure. From YA 2017, the company makes an irrevocable straight-line election over five, ten or fifteen years in the first claim YA. Valuation documentation may be required under the relevant thresholds, and disposal can trigger a balancing adjustment. A licence and an acquisition of ownership are not the same claim.