Claiming bonus depreciation on your 2017 tax return may be particularly beneficial

/in , , /by

With bonus depreciation, a business can recover the costs of depreciable property more quickly by claiming additional first-year depreciation for qualified assets. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law in December, enhances bonus depreciation.

Typically, taking this break is beneficial. But in certain situations, your business might save more tax long-term by skipping it. That said, claiming bonus depreciation on your 2017 tax return may be particularly beneficial.

Pre- and post-TCJA

Before TCJA, bonus depreciation was 50% and qualified property included new tangible property with a recovery period of 20 years or less (such as office furniture and equipment), off-the-shelf computer software, water utility property and qualified improvement property.

The TCJA significantly expands bonus depreciation: For qualified property placed in service between September 28, 2017, and December 31, 2022 (or by December 31, 2023, for certain property with longer production periods), the first-year bonus depreciation percentage increases to 100%. In addition, the 100% deduction is allowed for not just new but also used qualifying property.

But be aware that, under the TCJA, beginning in 2018 certain types of businesses may no longer be eligible for bonus depreciation. Examples include real estate businesses and auto dealerships, depending on the specific circumstances.

A good tax strategy • or not?

Generally, if you’re eligible for bonus depreciation and you expect to be in the same or a lower tax bracket in future years, taking bonus depreciation is likely a good tax strategy (though you should also factor in available Section 179 expensing). It will defer tax, which generally is beneficial.

On the other hand, if your business is growing and you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in the near future, you may be better off forgoing bonus depreciation. Why? Even though you’ll pay more tax this year, you’ll preserve larger depreciation deductions on the property for future years, when they may be more powerful — deductions save more tax when you’re paying a higher tax rate.

What to do on your 2017 return

The greater tax-saving power of deductions when rates are higher is why 2017 may be a particularly good year to take bonus depreciation. As you’re probably aware, the TCJA permanently replaces the graduated corporate tax rates of 15% to 35% with a flat corporate rate of 21% beginning with the 2018 tax year. It also reduces most individual rates, which benefits owners of pass-through entities such as S corporations, partnerships and, typically, limited liability companies, for tax years beginning in 2018 through 2025.

If your rate will be lower in 2018, there’s a greater likelihood that taking bonus depreciation for 2017 would save you more tax than taking all of your deduction under normal depreciation schedules over a period of years, especially if the asset meets the deadlines for 100% bonus depreciation.

If you’re unsure whether you should take bonus depreciation on your 2017 return — or you have questions about other depreciation-related breaks, such as Sec. 179 expensing — contact us.

February 2018 Tax & Business Alert

/in , /by

TAKE A LOOK AT THE DOMESTIC PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES DEDUCTION

The domestic production activities deduction provides a tax break for certain “domestic production activities.” Unfortunately, many businesses tend to overlook it because they believe the tax break applies only to a few industries. This article points out that the deduction remains available to a wide range of businesses for the 2017 tax year and delves into some industry-specific details. A sidebar discusses IRS guidance on the W-2 wage limitation to taxpayers with a short taxable year as it applies to the domestic production activities deduction. 2017 is the final year that the Domestic Production Activities Deduction is available to businesses.

MAKING 2017 RETIREMENT PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS IN 2018

The clock is ticking down to the tax filing deadline. The good news is that individuals may still be able to save on their impending 2017 tax bills by making contributions to certain retirement plans. This article looks at deadlines, limits and phaseout ranges for traditional and Roth IRAs, while also noting some important info about SEPs.

DO YOU KNOW THE TAX IMPACT OF YOUR COLLECTIBLES?

They say one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. This may hold true when it comes to collectibles — those various objets d’art for which many people will pay good money. This article touches on some of the important points regarding how the sale or donation of collectibles could affect one’s 2017 tax return.

WHEN AN ELDERLY PARENT MIGHT QUALIFY AS YOUR DEPENDENT

It’s not uncommon for adult children to help support their aging parents. Those in this position might qualify for an adult-dependent exemption on their 2017 tax returns. This article explores the basic qualifications and some important factors related to this tax break.

The 2018 tax filing season will begin on Jan. 29, the IRS announced

/in , , , , /by

January 29, 2018

That’s the date the IRS will begin accepting electronic and paper returns (though many tax professionals and software companies will accept returns earlier). Processing returns will begin in mid-Feb. The earliest that refunds claiming the earned income credit or additional child tax credit will be available will be Feb. 27. The IRS expects over 90% of refunds to be issued within 21 days. The last date to file without an extension is April 17, 2018. Here’s more: http://bit.ly/2AsE8U9

January 2018 Tax & Business Alert

/in , /by
STILL IMPORTANT: THE TAX IMPACT OF BUSINESS TRAVEL

With conference calls and Web meetings increasingly prevalent, business travel isn’t what it used to be. But many companies still send employees out on the road. This article describes important concepts related to travel, such as travel expenses as a fringe benefit, establishing an accountable plan and qualifying for business travel status.

 

HELP PREVENT TAX IDENTITY THEFT BY FILING EARLY

Many people might not start thinking about filing a tax return until close to this year’s April 17 deadline. But there’s another date to keep in mind: the day the IRS begins accepting 2017 returns in 2018. As this article explains, filing as close to this date as possible could protect a taxpayer from identity theft.

 

OWNER-EMPLOYEES NEED TO STAY UP TO SPEED ON EMPLOYMENT TAXES

Keeping up with the complexity of the Internal Revenue Code is challenging enough for employed individuals. But for owner-employees, the difficulty level is particularly high. This article explains how your business structure determines the rules you must abide by.

 

4 FINANCIAL PLANNING TIPS FOR SECOND MARRIAGES

Every year, a substantial percentage of weddings aren’t first-time nuptials but second (or subsequent) marriages. This brief article offers four tips to help such partners better manage the situation.

 

TAX CALENDAR

This calendar notes important tax deadlines for the first quarter of 2018.