OPTION 1 - Asset Purchase :
The most straightforward method of funding your business cars is through asset purchase, what many people call HP or
'hire-purchase'. Your business gains ownership from Suzuki Financial Services by paying instalments which clear off the capital
and charges over an agreed period. This offers you a new line of credit and an economical and convenient way to finance your cars.
With asset purchase you have various options:
Selection of periods
You can choose to spread the repayments over as little as 12 months or as long as 60 months. The longer the term, the lower the monthly repayments.
Deferred amount
You can defer a part of the cost to a final repayment thereby reducing your monthly repayments throughout the term of the agreement.
Fixed Rate
By choosing a fixed rate of interest for the full period of the agreement, your business will benefit from fixed monthly repayments and simple budgeting.
Variable Rate
If you choose a variable rate of interest your business will benefit if rates in the economy as a whole go down. In these circumstances, you can choose either lower
monthly payments or an adjustment at the end of the agreement.
Tax benefit implications of asset purchase
Vehicles appear on your balance sheet and you may claim annual capital allowances against taxable profit.
Finance charges can be offset against profits before tax thereby lowering your tax bill.
OPTION 2 - Finance Leasing :
With finance leasing your business simply leases the vehicles from Suzuki Financial Services for whatever period you want, right up to 4 years. Your business pays a fixed monthly rental, and at the end of the agreement almost all of the sales proceeds are rebated to you.
With finance leasing there are some additional options you can choose:
Deferred amount
You can defer a part of the cost to a final repayment thereby reducing your monthly repayments throughout the term of the agreement.
Extended Hiring
After the original period you may extend the lease for a modest annual rental.
Minimal Initial Outlay
You can choose how much to pay up front from as little as three monthly rentals.
Tax benefits of finance leasing
For cars costing under £12000, 100% of the rentals excluding VAT may be set off against annual profit for corporation/income tax. Above that figure, the higher the car's cash price, the lower the proportion of the rentals you may claim.
If the vehicle is used purely for business then 100% of the VAT on the rentals is fully recoverable.
If the vehicle is used at all for private purposes,then 50% of the VAT is recoverable.
OPTION 3 - Contract Hire :
With contract hire an inclusive fixed monthly rental covers the hiring of the car plus all normal servicing and maintanance
including full AA cover. All you have to do is insure it and fill up with fuel.
Contract hire reduces the financial worry of unexpected bills and all the hassle of the paperwork and other costs associated with running
the car. At the end of the agreement we even take care of disposing of the vehicle.
With contract hire you choose:
Mileage
The number of miles you think you will use the car for each year
(excess mileage is permitted at a predetermined charge).
Term
The number of years right up to four years.
Borrowing and tax benefits of contract hire
Preserves other borrowing facilities.
For cars costing under £12000, 100% of the rental amounts including VAT may be set off against annual profit for corporation/income tax.
Above that figure, the higher the vehicle's cash price, the lower the proportion of the finance element of the rentals that you may claim.
Whatever the car's price, the cost of the maintenance element in the rentals is fully tax deductible.
If the vehicle is used 100% for business purposes then the VAT on the entire rentals is fully recoverable.
If the vehicle is used at all for private purposes, then 100% of the VAT on the maintenance element may be recovered but only 50% of the VAT
on the finance element.