Capital Allowance rental income - confused

MDCork

I posted the below question on another web forum:

I have read that a landlord can write off the cost of furniture, carpets, electrical appliances etc... against their tax liability over 8 years at a rate of 12.5% per year. If I bought the items before I rented the property and they are less than 8 years old can I still write them off against my tax liability?

Answer received:

Pre letting expenses on a first letting are not allowed with the exception of advertising fees,sols fees preparing a lease.
I am not an accountant so I would advise ringing the revenue directly and asking them directly how much if any leeway is allowed with this,plus you will more than likely need receipts for all items if you were allowed claim I think.

Me again: If I purchased items for my house prior to renting it surely I am able to write off the depreciation over 8 years starting from the year I first purchased the item (i.e. I bought a couch in 2005 and I want to rent a my house this year so can I write off 12.5% for the years 2010,2011 & 2012). Is my understanding correct?

Also, what sorts of items can I write off:

Carpets yes/no
Tiles yes/no
Kitchen units which came with the house yes/no
Pictures/Mirrors yes/no
Cutlery yes/no
Electric shower whcih came with the house yes/no

TaxingTimes

What you can write down for furnishings etc is 12.5% over 8 years of the second hand value of the goods at the date of first letting.

Second hand value will be a lot less than new value and must be estimated by you.

Any costs included in the purchase price of the house generally would not be claimable unless a separate split shown in the contract.

Mr. Incognito

There is a Revenue Guide on this in the stickies.

Please read the charter.

MDCork

The link isn't working but I'll have a look on the Revenue website.

Mr. Incognito

Thanks for the heads up- fixed that link should be working now.