set sth (off) against sth
— phrasal verb with set uk/set/usverb setting, set, set
ACCOUNTING to use or record one thing, especially the cost of something, in order to reduce or remove the effect of another:
Costs of new equipment or machinery, such as a computer, can also be set against tax.
The rules do not allow surpluses over book value in other parts of the business to be set off against reductions elsewhere.