Capital Allowances Act 2001 section 6A

"NIRE company" and SME (Northern Ireland employer) company

Section 6A defines two categories of Northern Ireland company that are relevant for capital allowances purposes.

• A "NIRE company" is one that qualifies as a Northern Ireland company either through the SME (election) route or as a large company.
• An "SME (Northern Ireland employer) company" qualifies as a Northern Ireland company specifically through the SME (Northern Ireland employer) route.
• Both definitions refer back to the conditions set out in section 357KA of the Corporation Tax Act 2010, Part 8B, which deals with trading profits taxable at the Northern Ireland rate.
• The distinction between the two categories matters because different capital allowances rules may apply depending on which route a company uses to qualify as a Northern Ireland company.