For much of this year, uncertainty surrounded whether Congress would extend relief in the area of depreciation-related tax breaks. On December 18, clarity finally arrived with the passage of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the PATH Act). Here’s a look at the impact on two “classic” depreciation breaks:
1. Enhanced Section 179 expensing election. In 2014, Sec. 179 permitted companies to immediately deduct, rather than depreciate, up to $500,000 in qualified new or used assets. The deduction was phased out, dollar for dollar, to the extent qualified asset purchases for the year exceeded $2 million. Under the PATH Act, these amounts have been made permanent (indexed for inflation beginning in 2016) rather than allowed to fall to much lower limits.
2. 50% bonus depreciation. In 2014, this provision allowed businesses to claim an additional first-year depreciation deduction equal to 50% of qualified asset costs. Bonus depreciation generally was available for new (not used) tangible assets with a recovery period of 20 years or less, and certain other assets. That 50% amount has been extended for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 tax years. But it will drop to 40% for 2018 and 30% for 2019.
To reap these benefits on your 2015 tax return, you must acquire qualified assets and place them in service by December 31, 2015. These are but a few of the ways the PATH Act affects business tax planning. Please contact us for more information.
