Did you buy equipment or other business assets during 2015? Here are the current rules for maximizing your tax deduction.

Section 179

Under code Section 179, you can expense many types of otherwise depreciable property used in your business. Both new and used assets qualify for Section 179.

For 2015, the maximum amount you can expense is $500,000 of the cost of qualifying property you began to use during the year. The $500,000 is reduced when the cost of the property you purchased during the year exceeds $2,000,000. Your deduction may also be limited by the amount of your business income.

Planning tip: The Section 179 amounts are now permanent. Beginning in 2016, both will be adjusted annually for inflation.

Bonus depreciation

In addition to Section 179, you can benefit from the 50% bonus depreciation deduction for tangible personal property that you purchased and placed in service during 2015. Bonus depreciation is generally available for new assets that have a useful life of 20 years or less.

Planning tip: The December “extenders” tax law made bonus depreciation available through 2019, though the deductible amount will decrease in 2018 and 2019.

Please contact us about the latest depreciation breaks available to your business.

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