Quarterly Acquisitions and Disposals of Capital Assets Survey

Aim of this survey

The Quarterly Acquisitions and Disposals of Capital Assets Survey (QCAS) collects quarterly information on the value of capital assets bought and sold by businesses in the UK within the private sector, including not-for-profit institutions.

This includes the acquisitions and disposals of vehicles, other capital equipment and computer hardware/software/databases; acquisitions only of new building work (excluding dwellings), or other (construction) work of a capital nature. Exploration expenditure is collected for Standard Industrial Classification 2007 (SIC2007) 0600 only.

Your response contributes to the Business investment in the UK, which are key components of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

What you need to know

To complete the survey, you will need the following information to answer the survey questions:

• value of acquisitions relating to major improvements and construction work
• value of acquisitions and proceeds from disposals of machinery and equipment
• value of expenditure for exploration (oil and gas industry only)

All information you provide is strictly confidential.

Survey information

Selection criteria: businesses in the UK registered for VAT and/or PAYE
Population: approximately 2,700,000
Sample: approximately 24,500
Frequency: quarterly

Dispatch dates

Quarter 1: 19 to 23 March
Quarter 2: 18 to 23 June
Quarter 3: 17 to 22 September
Quarter 4: 13 to 20 December

Return-by dates

Quarter 1: 12 April
Quarter 2: 12 July
Quarter 3: 11 October
Quarter 4: 10 January

Dispatch and return-by dates are a guide. They are subject to change due to national holidays and weekends.

Why you were selected

Your business has been selected from a directory of businesses in the UK which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE or with Companies House. Your response ensures we represent your industry.

The QCAS is conducted under the provisions of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947. Once selected, your business is legally obliged to comply. You cannot appeal your selection.

Why you have received this survey

We survey businesses of all sizes to ensure our statistics are representative of the UK economy. We select large businesses (those with 100+ employees) for any relevant ONS business surveys because their information is so significant.

We select some small and medium businesses, usually, for a period then replace them with other businesses from their industry. They are very important to us as their trading patterns are often very different to large businesses.

How to complete this survey

Your letter explains how to complete this survey online. Please use your unique enrolment code to report your information.

Complete this survey online

If you need help

If your questions are not answered on this page, you may be able to find the answer in the About ONS business surveys section.

You can call us on 0300 1234 931. Please enter the three digit survey ID 019.

If you would like to use our Minicom service for the Deaf, call 01633 815044.

Er mwyn gwneud cais am ffurflen Gymraeg: 0300 1234 921.