The 2017 TCJA (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) made significant changes that impacted most — if not all — taxpayers. Increased deductions for bonus depreciation and Section 179 expense were just two of the changes impacting business taxpayers, and these largely positive changes represent two potentially huge tax savings for businesses.
We’re focusing on just one narrow but very important aspect of this Tax Reform legislation, specifically tax depreciation. Depreciation is the term the IRS and tax accountants use to refer to the write-offs all businesses receive when they purchase equipment.
Bonus Depreciation
The Tax Reform extended and modified bonus depreciation to allow businesses to immediately deduct 100% of eligible property placed in-service after September 27, 2017, and before January 1, 2023.
Bonus depreciation continues to be available for qualifying property, which is generally property with a depreciable recovery period of 20 years or less. Plus, eligible property is expanded under this legislation to include used property. Here’s a table that shows how long this tax savings opportunity is available:
Section 179
Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code allows a taxpayer to immediately expense the cost of qualifying property—rather than recovering such costs through depreciation deductions. The maximum amount a taxpayer can deduct under Section 179 is $1,080,000 for 2022. The phase-out threshold is $2,700,000 for property placed in-service during 2022.
The phase-out occurs when total Section 179 property placed in-service during a tax year exceeds the threshold amount. Once the threshold is reached, the deduction is reduced dollar-for-dollar by the excess amount. Both the deduction and phase-out limit are increased for inflation. For 2023, the maximum amount of the Section 179 deduction has been increased for inflation to $1,160,000 and the phase-out threshold also increased to a maximum of $2,890,000.
Almost all legitimate business equipment qualifies: office equipment and office machines such as copiers and printers; electronics such as computers, laptops and related peripherals; business non-custom software; machinery; some business vehicles; office furniture; and many other types of tangible equipment.
Comparison Bonus Depreciation vs. Section 179
What’s the difference between Bonus Depreciation and Section 179? This question can get very technical in a hurry! It’s best for you to ask your tax accountant that question and how it applies to your particular situation. For example, state taxes can be a deciding factor. Minnesota limits the amount of both Bonus Depreciation and Section 179 that a business can deduct on their state income tax return. Currently however, Wisconsin allows Section 179 depreciation in its entirety but significantly limits Bonus Depreciation.
Another complicating factor to this decision can be the amount of equipment that you are purchasing. Section 179 has an upper limit of $2,700,000. Once that limit is reached, the amount of a company’s expensing election will be reduced. Bonus Depreciation does not have that upper limit. In this particular situation, Bonus Depreciation may be a more tax efficient option.
A multitude of other factors may need to be considered as well. Current year profit of the company as compared to the company’s budget for future years, the income tax basis of an S corporation shareholder as well as state income taxes can all be issues that need to be considered. Again, your tax accountant should be consulted on this decision. But it is a great time to be buying equipment and making this decision. After all, we’re talking about saving big money on taxes.
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The information in this blog should not be considered rendering of advice. The information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for obtaining accounting, tax, legal or financial advice from a professional.
