Chapter 10 - Section 179 and Additional 1 st Year Depreciation

The 2008 Economic Stimulus Act (ESA) increases the Section 179 Election to Expense
deduction and provides for additional 1 st year depreciation for qualifying property placed
in service during tax years that begin in 2008. Property placed in service in tax years
beginning after 2008 are not eligible for the increased deductions provided by the ESA.
The Section 179 Election to Expense is increased to $250,000 (from $128,000). In
addition, the phase-out of the deduction for excess investment is increased from
$510,000 to $800,000. Thus, taxpayers who place less than $800,000 of qualifying
property in service during a tax year beginning in 2008 will be able to expense up to
$250,000 of the cost of the property.
The remainder of this update consists of the changes to the Chapter 10 text necessary
to implement the ESA changes and problems designed to illustrate these changes.
Section 179 Election to Expense
Section 179 allows an annual current expense deduction for the cost of qualifying depreciable
property purchased for use in a trade or business. The deduction for expensed assets is treated
as a depreciation deduction. This election allows many small businesses to expense assets as
they are purchased instead of depreciating them over several years. The immediate deduction
promotes administrative convenience by eliminating the need for extensive depreciation
schedules for small purchases.

Qualified Taxpayers
In 2008, individuals, corporations, S corporations, and partnerships may elect to deduct as an
expense up to $250,000 in investment in qualified property to be used in an active trade or
business. A husband and wife are considered one entity for purposes of the election to expense.
Although the phrase active trade or business is not defined in the tax law, it appears to have
the same meaning as the phrase trade or business (Chapter 5). The elements of profit
motivation, regularity, and continuity of the taxpayers involvement in the activity and the
absence of hobby, amusement, and similar motivations are important factors to consider when
determining whether an activity qualifies for the Section 179 election. This interpretation is
supported by the fact that the deduction is not allowed for assets purchased for use in an
activity related to the production of income (an investment activity). However, the portion of a
mixed-use asset that is used in a trade or business does qualify for immediate deduction under
Section 179. Estates and trusts cannot use the Section 179 election to expense assets. The
election is not available to these entities because they are formed to protect and conserve the
entitys assets for the benefit of the beneficiaries and not to operate an active trade or business.

Qualified Property
The Section 179 expense deduction is allowed only on depreciable, tangible, personal property
used in a trade or business. Examples of eligible property are trucks, machinery, furniture,
computers, and store shelving. Real property, such as buildings and their structural
components, does not qualify for the special election to expense. Also excluded from the
deduction are land and improvements made directly to the land, such as a parking lot,
sidewalks, or a swimming pool. In addition, qualifying property does not include intangible
assets such as patents, copyrights, and goodwill.

2
Example 3 Kelly purchases a new computer and a new telephone system and installs
a new roof and an air-conditioning system in her office building. Which of the
expenditures qualify for the election to expense?
Discussion: The computer and the telephone system are depreciable, tangible,
personal property and therefore qualify under Section 179. The roof and the airconditioning system are integral parts of the office building. Therefore, they are real
property and do not qualify for immediate expensing.

Limitations on Deduction
The Section 179 election-to-expense deduction is subject to three limitations:

A taxpayers annual Section 179 deduction cannot exceed the maximum annual
limitation ($250,000 for 2008).

If the taxpayers investment in Section 179 property exceeds $800,000 for the tax year,
the annual deduction limit is reduced by one dollar for each dollar of investment over
$800,000 in 2008. For 2008, a taxpayer who purchases more than $1,050,000 of
qualifying property may not take any election-to-expense deduction for any of the
purchases.

The Section 179 deduction allowed for a tax year cannot exceed the taxable income
from the active conduct of all the taxpayers trade or business activities.

Annual Deduction Limit

The annual deduction limit does not have to be prorated according to the length of time an asset
is used during the year. The annual deduction limit applies to all tax entities entitled to use
Section 179. Thus, the annual limit applies separately to a partnership and to its individual
partners. The annual limit also applies separately to an S corporation and to its shareholders.5
Because the partnership and S corporation are conduit entities, a portion of the entitys total
deduction is allocated to each owner, who subtracts it as an expense on the owners personal
tax return. However, the Section 179 deduction allocated to the taxpayer from the conduit entity
plus the taxpayers Section 179 deduction from all other sources cannot exceed the annual limit.
Any excess Section 179 election resulting from allocations from several entities must be carried
forward to be used in subsequent years.
Example 4 Roberto is a 50% shareholder and full-time employee of an S corporation.
During 2008, the S corporation invests $324,000 in equipment qualifying for the
Section 179 deduction. Roberto also owns a sole proprietorship that constructs kitchen
cabinets. The cabinet business qualifies as an active business for Roberto. During
2008, he purchases $200,000 worth of equipment to use in his cabinet business. What
is the maximum amount that Roberto can deduct as a Section 179 expense for 2008?
Discussion: Robertos deductible Section 179 expenditures are limited to $250,000.
The S corporation can elect to deduct $250,000 of its $324,000 in capital expenditures.
The remaining $74,000 is subject to regular depreciation. The S corporation allocates
$125,000 (50% $250,000) of its Section 179 deduction to Roberto. Thus, Robertos
qualified Section 179 expenditures total $325,000 ($125,000 from the S corporation +
$200,000 from the cabinet business). However, the $250,000 annual deduction limit
applies at the shareholder level as well as at the S corporation level. Therefore,
Roberto may elect to deduct only $250,000 as a Section 179 expense.

3
A taxpayer may choose to use all, part, or none of the annual deduction. By electing to expense
less than the limit for a tax year, the taxpayer can avoid a Section 179 deduction carryforward
resulting from either the annual limitation or the trade or business income limitation.
Example 5 Based on the information in example 4, how should Roberto allocate his
Section 179 deduction in 2008?
Discussion: Roberto should claim as a Section 179 deduction the $125,000 allocated
to him from the S corporation plus $125,000 of the cost of the equipment purchased for
use in the cabinet business. The remaining $75,000 cost of the equipment used in his
cabinet business is depreciated using regular depreciation methods.
If Roberto expenses the $200,000 worth of equipment he purchased for the
cabinet business, he will lose $75,000 of the deduction allocated to him from the S
corporation by exceeding the $250,000 annual limitation by $75,000 ($200,000 +
$50,000 = $250,000) this year. The $75,000 carries forward to be used in subsequent
years. Any amounts that flow to a taxpayer from a conduit entity should always be
expensed under Section 179 before any amount is elected from another trade or
business of the taxpayer.
After an assets basis is reduced by the amount expensed under Section 179, the remaining
basis is subject to regular depreciation under any valid method.
Example 6 Devra Corporation purchases a machine costing $300,000 for use in its
business. Devra wants to expense $250,000 of the assets cost under Section 179. If
Devra makes the Section 179 election to expense $250,000 of the assets cost, what is
its depreciable basis in the machine?
Discussion: Devras depreciable basis for regular depreciation is $50,000. The
depreciable basis of the machine is its $300,000 cost, less the $250,000 it elects to
expense under Section 179. The reduction of depreciable basis by amounts expensed
under Section 179 is necessary to ensure that the total capital recovery on the machine
does not exceed the $300,000 invested.
The Section 179 deduction can be allocated to reduce the basis of qualifying assets in any
manner the taxpayer chooses. This allows the deduction to be allocated equally to all assets
acquired during the year or to specific assets. This option is important. Two general rules apply
to choosing assets to expense. First, do not use the Section 179 election to expense
automobiles. As discussed later, automobiles are subject to annual depreciation deduction
limits. For purposes of this annual limitation, the Section 179 expense is treated as a
depreciation deduction. Because MACRS depreciation on most automobiles exceeds the firstyear annual limitation amount, using the election to expense on an automobile does not result in
additional tax savings. Second, based on time value of money concepts, taxpayers should take
the depreciation deduction as early as possible. This is accomplished by expensing the assets
with the longest life and using regular depreciation methods to depreciate assets with the
shortest life.
Example 7 Gwendolyn purchases equipment costing $250,000 and a computer
system that also costs $250,000 for use in her business in 2008. Under MACRS, the
equipment is 7-year property, and the computer system is 5-year property. How should
Gwendolyn allocate her $250,000 Section 179 expense deduction?
Discussion: If Gwendolyn wants to deduct the $250,000 maximum election to expense,
she should elect to expense the $250,000 cost of the equipment (7-year property). The
$250,000 cost of the computer system will be deducted over its 5-year life, resulting in
greater deductions sooner than if she elected to expense the computer.

4
Gwendolyn could elect to deduct less than the full $250,000 Section 179 limit.
Because Section 179 is elective, Gwendolyn can decide how much to deduct and the
specific assets to expense. This allows taxpayers who do not want or need the extra
deductions in the current year to spread the deductions out through depreciation
charges.

Annual Investment Limit

The annual deduction limit is reduced dollar for dollar by the amount of the investment in
qualifying property in excess of $800,000. As a result of this limitation, a taxpayer who
purchases $1,050,000 or more of qualified property during 2008 cannot expense any amount
under Section 179. Because of the $800,000 annual investment limitation, only relatively small
businesses can use the election to expense.
Example 8 During 2008, the Allen Partnership places $828,000 of Section 179
property in service for use in its business. What is Allens maximum Section 179
deduction?
Discussion: Allens election to expense is reduced to $222,000 by the $800,000 annual
investment limit. Because the partnership invested $28,000 more than the $800,000
annual investment limitation ($828,000 - $800,000), it must reduce the annual
deduction limit dollar for dollar by the excess ($250,000 - $28,000 = $222,000). NOTE:
The $28,000 lost through the annual investment limit is not carried forward to future
years. It is lost forever.

Additional First-Year Depreciation

Taxpayers are allowed to claim an additional 50-percent depreciation deduction (bonus
depreciation) on qualified property acquired during tax years beginning in 2008. Qualifying
property is new MACRS property with a recovery period of 20 years or less, MACRS water
utility property, computer software not acquired as an acquisition of all of the assets of a
business, and qualified leasehold improvement property. The original use of the property must
be by the taxpayer and cannot be purchased from a related party. Property that must be
depreciated using the alternative depreciation system (ADS) does not qualify.
The original use requirement eliminates used property from qualifying for bonus depreciation.
Similarly, assets acquired as part of the acquisition of all the assets of a business will not meet
the original use requirement. However, any additional capital expenditures incurred to
recondition or rebuild otherwise qualifying property does satisfy the original use requirement and
therefore, is eligible for additional first-year depreciation.
To ensure that the capital recovery concept is not violated, the depreciable basis of the property
is reduced by the bonus depreciation for purposes of computing the regular MACRS
depreciation deduction.
Example 11 Omer Corporation purchases $600,000 of new machinery on February
19, 2008. The machinery is 5-year MACRS property. What is the depreciable basis in
the machinery?
Discussion: MACRS property with a recovery period of 20 years or less qualifies for
the 50-percent additional depreciation deduction. Accordingly, Omer deducts $300,000
($600,000 50%) in bonus depreciation. Its depreciable basis in the machinery is
reduced to $300,000 ($600,000 - $300,000).

5
The additional first-year depreciation must be claimed on all eligible property unless a taxpayer
makes an election not to claim the deduction. The election is made on a class-by-class basis.
Example 12 Assume that in Example 11, Omer Corporation does not want to claim the
additional first-year depreciation on the machinery. What is Omers depreciable basis in
the machinery?
Discussion: Omer must make an election not to claim the additional first-year
depreciation deduction. The election applies to all 5-year MACRS property that Omer
acquires in 2008. Omers depreciable basis in the machinery is $600,000 if it elects not
claim bonus depreciation on the machinery.
Any Section 179 expense election is claimed prior to calculation of the additional first-year
depreciation allowance. Therefore, the adjusted basis of the property is reduced by any Section
179 expense deduction for purposes of calculating the bonus depreciation.
Example 13 Bomhoff Inc. purchases office equipment costing $400,000 on April 1,
2008. What is Bomhoffs depreciable basis in the office equipment?
Discussion: To maximize the 2008 cost recovery deduction, Bomhoff should elect to
expense $250,000 of the cost of the office equipment. This reduces the adjusted basis
(and depreciable basis) of the equipment to $150,000 ($400,000 - $250,000). Office
equipment is 7-year MACRS property and is eligible for the bonus depreciation
deduction. Bomhoff deducts $75,000 ($150,000 50%) in additional first-year
depreciation. The depreciable basis is reduced to $75,000 ($150,000 $75,000
$75,000).
Important points to remember about additional first-year depreciation:

To qualify for bonus depreciation, the property must be acquired during a tax year that
begins in 2008.

The original use of the property must commence with the taxpayer. Used property does
not qualify.

The 20 year or less recovery period requirement for qualifying property eliminates
residential rental property and nonresidential real property from receiving additional
first-year depreciation.

If a qualifying property is purchased, bonus depreciation must be claimed unless an

election not to claim the bonus depreciation is made. The election is made on a class
by class basis. Therefore, a taxpayer can claim the bonus depreciation on one or more
classes of property (eg, 10-year property) and not claim the bonus depreciation on
other classes of property (eg, 3-year property) acquired during the applicable period.

The depreciable basis must be reduced by any allowable bonus depreciation.

Unlike the Section 179 election to expense, there is no purchases limit nor is there an
annual income limit. That is, additional first-year depreciation can be deducted even if it
causes the business to have a net operating loss.

6
Basis Subject to Cost Recovery
Depreciable basis is the assets original basis for depreciation less any amounts deducted
under the Section 179 election to expense assets. Therefore, the basis rules discussed in
Chapter 9 provide the starting point for computing the capital recovery deduction. An assets
basis for depreciation does not have to be reduced by its salvage value. The depreciable basis
of an asset is the amount of basis that is subject to depreciation and is the amount used to
determine the annual depreciation deduction. The depreciable basis does not change during an
assets tax life unless additional capital expenditures are made for the asset. The total capital
recovered as a depreciation deduction over an assets useful life may never be more than its
depreciable basis. Do not confuse the term depreciable basis with adjusted basis. Adjusted
basis refers to the unrecovered capital of an asset at any point in time. An assets adjusted
basis decreases as cost recovery deductions are taken. The capital recovery under MACRS
does not necessarily relate to the true remaining useful life and salvage value of the asset. That
is, an assets depreciable basis can be fully recovered, even though the asset remains in
service and salvage value exists.
Example 14 In 2008, Estelle Corporation purchases office equipment costing
$280,000 for use in its repair business. Because equipment is eligible to be expensed
under Section 179, Estelle elects to expense $250,000 of the cost of the equipment.
What is Estelle Corporations depreciable basis in the equipment?
Discussion: Estelles initial basis in the equipment is $280,000. The election to expense
reduces the depreciable basis to $30,000 ($280,000 - $250,000). Unless Estelle elects not
to claim the additional first-year depreciation, it deducts $15,000 ($30,000 50%) in
additional first-year depreciation. This reduces the depreciable basis to $15,000 ($30,000 $15,000). The corporation recovers its $280,000 investment in the equipment through
expensing $250,000 in the year of purchase, $15,000 in additional first-year depreciation
deducted in the year of purchase, and $15,000 in depreciation charges over the life of the
equipment.
If the office equipment had cost only $100,000 and Estelle elected to expense the
entire $100,000 cost under Section 179, the corporation would fully recover its capital
investment in 2008. The depreciable basis in the equipment then is zero, and the
corporation is allowed no further capital recovery deductions on its initial $100,000
investment. However, the equipment remains in service and may provide several years
of quality use.

Depreciation Method Alternatives

Under current tax law, taxpayers have three alternatives for calculating depreciation:

Regular MACRS

Straight-line over the MACRS recovery period

Straight-line over the Alternative Depreciation System (ADS) recovery period

Figure 102 illustrates these choices for depreciating personal property. A taxpayer decides
which to use by first choosing whether to maximize or minimize the depreciation deduction in
the year of acquisition. The taxpayer would maximize by using the Section 179 election,
claiming the additional first-year depreciation, and using regular MACRS for the remaining
depreciable basis. Regular MACRS depreciates property in the 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10-year classes
using the 200-percent declining balance method with an optimal, automatic switch to straightline in the IRS percentage tables. Assets in the 15- and 20-year classes are depreciated using
the 150-percent declining balance method. The taxpayer who needs a slower depreciation rate

7
can minimize the deduction by using straight-line (S-L) MACRS or ADS. Because of the longer
recovery period, ADS produces the smallest depreciation deduction. Taxpayers will need to
elect not to claim additional first-year depreciation to secure the smallest depreciation
deduction.
Example 22 On March 14, 2008, Lorange Mining company purchases a bus costing
$400,000 to transport its employees from the parking area to the mines. What should
Lorange do if it wants to recover its $400,000 cost as quickly as possible (i.e.,
maximize the cost recovery)?
Discussion: To maximize cost recovery, Lorange should elect to expense $250,000 of
cost under Section 179 and claim the 50 percent additional first-year depreciation. The
additional first-year depreciation is $75,000 [($400,000 - $250,000) 50%], leaving a
depreciable basis of $75,000 ($150,000 $75,000), which would be recovered using
the regular MACRS 200% declining balance method over the 5-year recovery period
for buses. The recovery period is found in Table A101 under the column labeled
General Depreciation System. The regular MACRS method (using Table 104)
provides the fastest depreciation write-off for the propertys depreciable basis:
Initial basis
Section 179 election
Adjusted basis
Additional first-year depreciation
$150,000 50%
Depreciable basis
MACRS% (Table 104)
2008 depreciation

$ 400,000
(250,000)
$ 150,000

Maximum cost recovery

$ 340,000 ($250,000 + $75,000 + $15,000)

(75,000)
$ 75,000

20%
$ 15,000

Example 23 Assume that in example 22, Lorange wants to recover the $400,000 cost
as slowly as possible (i.e., minimize the cost recovery). Which options should Lorange
elect?
Discussion: The slowest cost recovery is obtained by not using Section 179 and
electing to use straight-line depreciation over the ADS life of the property. The ADS
recovery period is always greater than or equal to the MACRS recovery period. Table
A101 shows that the ADS recovery period is 9 years for buses. Remember that the
MACRS recovery period is 5 years. Thus, the use of the ADS life generally stretches
the depreciation deductions over a longer period, thereby diminishing the deduction
amounts for each year in the recovery period:
Depreciable basis

$400,000

Full-year S-L deduction ($400,000 9) $ 44,444

Mid-year convention

First-year depreciation
$ 22,222

Limitation on Passenger Autos

Passenger autos are subject to a limitation on the annual amount of the deductible depreciation.
The annual depreciation deduction for a passenger automobile cannot exceed a specified
amount, which is based on the year a car is placed in service. Any depreciation that is
disallowed because of the annual limitations may be deducted when the autos recovery period
ends. Table A1010 lists the auto depreciation tables and the annual auto limits that are allowed

8
for 100-percent business use of an auto placed in service in 20007. If an auto is not used wholly
for a business purpose, the amount of the annual passenger automobile limitation must be
reduced by multiplying it by the business use percentage. The depreciation subject to the firstyear annual limitation includes any amount that is expensed using Section 179. As mentioned
earlier, the annual limitation on the auto depreciation deduction makes it impractical to deduct
any of the cost of an auto under Section 179.
The maximum first-year depreciation deduction on a passenger automobile is $2,960 for
automobiles ($3,160 for trucks and vans) placed in service in 2008. The maximum first-year
depreciation deduction on new automobiles that qualify for additional first-year depreciation
increases by $8,000 for automobiles placed in service in tax years beginning in 2008. To take
advantage of the increased cap, additional first-year depreciation must be claimed
the
increased maximum is not available if a taxpayer makes an election not to take the additional
first-year depreciation.
Example 29 On July 5, 2008, Oscar purchases a new car for $40,000. Based on his
mileage records, Oscar uses the car 80% of the time for a qualified business use. What
is his depreciation deduction on the car for 2008?
Discussion: Automobiles are 5-yearMACRS property. Because he uses the automobile
more than 50% of the time for business, his allowable depreciation is the lesser of the
regular MACRS depreciation or the passenger automobile limitation. Oscars 2008
depreciation is limited to $8,768:
Regular MACRS Depreciation
Initial Basis
Business use percentage
Business depreciable basis
Additional first-year depreciation percentage
Additional first-year depreciation

$40,000
80%
$32,000
50%
$16,000

MACRS depreciable basis - $32,000 - $16,000

MACRS table percentage
MACRS depreciation

$16,000
20%
$ 3,200

Total 2008 MACRS depreciation ($16,000 $3,200) $19,200

Passenger Automobile Limitation
Annual depreciation limit for an automobile
placed in service in 2008
Additional first-year allowance in 2008
2008 automobile depreciation limit
Business use percentage
Oscars maximum 2008 depreciation on auto

$ 2,960
8,000
$10,960
80%
$ 8,768

Two things should be noted regarding passenger automobiles. First, to qualify for the additional
first-year depreciation deduction, the automobile must be a new automobile used property
does not qualify. Second, to qualify for MACRS depreciation, the automobile must be
predominantly used in a qualified business use (i.e., more than 50 percent trade or business
use). If the predominant use test is not met, the automobile must be depreciated using the
alternative depreciation system (ADS) and therefore, is not eligible for additional first year
depreciation.

Problems
25. Firefly, Inc., acquires business equipment in July 2008 for $815,000.
a. What is Firefly's maximum Section 179 deduction for 2008? Explain.
b. What happens to any portion of the annual limit not deducted in 2008?
Explain.
c. What is the depreciable basis of the equipment? Explain.
30. Jennifer owns a 40% interest in the Thomas Partnership. She also owns
and operates an architectural consulting business. During the current year,
the partnership purchases $260,000-worth of property qualifying under
Section 179 and elects to expense $250,000.
Jennifer purchases
$180,000-worth of qualifying Section 179 property for use in her
architectural consulting business. Write a letter to Jennifer explaining what
she should do to maximize her cost recovery.
40. The Browser Company purchases a mainframe computer in March 2008 for
$120,000. This is the only depreciable personal property acquired during
the year. The company does not elect to expense the asset but wants to
claim the maximum depreciation. In May 2011, the company sells the
computer. Calculate the adjusted basis of the computer at the date of sale.
43. Dikembe purchases 4,000 breeding hogs for $320,000 in April 2008.
a. What is his maximum 2008 cost-recovery deduction for the hogs?
b. Dikembe's farming operation incurs a net loss this year and probably will
next year before taking the cost recovery into consideration. What should
Dikembe do in regard to his cost-recovery deductions?
44. Rograin Corporation purchases turning lathes costing $670,000 and a bus
costing $280,000 in June of the current year. The lathes are 7-year
MACRS property, and the bus is 5-year MACRS property.
a. What is Rograin's maximum Section 179 deduction?
b. Assuming that Rograin deducts the maximum Section 179 expense, what
are the depreciable basis of the lathes and the bus?
c. If Rograin wants to maximize its cost recovery this year, how much first-year
depreciation may it deduct in addition to the Section 179 deduction?
45. Baker, Inc., purchases office furniture (7-year MACRS property) costing
$280,000 and a computer system (5-year MACRS property) costing
$280,000 in 2008. What is Baker's maximum cost-recovery deduction in
2008? (Hint: Maximize the Section 179 election effect.)

10

48. The Gladys Corporation buys office equipment costing $290,000 on May
12, 2008. In 2011, new and improved models of the equipment make it
obsolete, and Gladys sells the old equipment for $34,000 on December 27,
2011.
a. What is Gladys Corporation's gain or loss on the sale assuming that Gladys
takes the maximum cost-recovery deduction allowable on the equipment?
b. What is Gladys Corporation's gain or loss on the equipment assuming that
Gladys takes the minimum cost-recovery deduction allowable on the
equipment?
55. On June 1, 2008, Kirsten buys an automobile for $42,000. Her mileage log
for the year reveals the following: 20,000 miles for business purposes;
7,000 miles for personal reasons; and 3,000 miles commuting to and from
work. What is Kirsten's maximum cost-recovery deduction for 2008?
49. In June of 2008, Copper Kettle, Inc., purchases duplicating equipment for
$350,000.
a. Compare cost recovery deductions using maximum, minimum, and
intermediate methods over the recovery period of the equipment.
b. Explain why Copper Kettle, Inc., would elect to use each of these methods.