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Level 1
posted Oct 12, 2024 8:29:03 PM

Vehicle used 100% for business. Depreciation

I purchased a vehicle in April of 2019 for 100% business use for approximately $50,000. The vehicle is/was titled in my name not business but was never used for personal purposes. Sold the vehicle in October 2024 for $29,500 and paid off with additional personal funds of $36,000. Claimed depreciation for vehicle on 2024 tax for entire year (forgot). What do I need to do now to correct oversight and avoid possible issue with IRS?

Also, since vehicle was titled in my name and not in the business name would it be considered a personal asset used for business purposes or is this going to be another potential problem? I am sure that some of you tax gurus can figure out how much depreciation was paid versus the amount for which the vehicle sold as I obviously took a loss on the sale but the vehicle was an ongoing expense that was unnecessary so I decided to sell it before it devalued further.

JME

0 18 15855
18 Replies
Level 15
Oct 12, 2024 9:51:41 PM

Level 1
Oct 13, 2024 9:45:10 AM

tagteam,

Depreciation was taken out in for vehicle on tax filed in 2024 for tax year 2023.

 

The vehicle has been depreciated on the business tax returns for tax filing years 2019,2020,2021,2022 and 2023. Tax year 2024 is still in progress and yet to end for filing.

 

The business is a single member LLC with a sub chapter S provision. It is not a sole proprietorship.

 

The vehicle was an individual purchase primarily to use for business but not titled in the business name in case it could be used for personal reasons should the need arise. The personal use issue never transpired.

 

Hope this helps but the business never owned the vehicle, it was only purchased to fill a business purpose that never developed.

 

mudtech61 

 

Level 15
Oct 13, 2024 9:52:35 AM


Level 1
Oct 13, 2024 12:16:02 PM

Yes, the 1120-S form and the form 4562 for the depreciation detail.

Level 15
Oct 13, 2024 12:19:21 PM

Level 1
Oct 13, 2024 12:19:24 PM

Correction, sold the vehicle in October 2023 NOT 2024.

Sorry if this caused confusion.

Level 1
Oct 13, 2024 12:22:37 PM

My wife and I, we live in a community property state so she is considered a part owner of the business and and property in my/our names. She is shown on the articles as a Manager but essentially it is a single member LLC.

mudtech61

Level 15
Oct 13, 2024 12:32:17 PM

Level 1
Oct 13, 2024 12:51:43 PM

tagteam,

Sorry to be so confusing and offering information piecemeal but I am not a tax professional and don't claim to be one. I looked through the returns and found that the entire amount of the vehicle purchase was depreciated in 2019. The vehicle was put into business use in April of 2019 and sold in October of 2023. The original purchase price was $51,050 (approximately) and the sale price was $29,500 (approximately). The business is an LLC with a sub chapter S. 

Level 15
Oct 13, 2024 12:54:49 PM

Level 1
Oct 13, 2024 12:55:35 PM

tagteam,

 

Registered with the Sec. of State as an LLC. Taxed as an S corporation. Does that sound right?

 

Level 1
Oct 13, 2024 12:58:10 PM

OK, but it cost me more than $29,500 to clear the note so how can there be a gain. Had to clear the title or would not have been able to sell vehicle. 

 

Any advice to offer to get it straight?

Level 15
Oct 13, 2024 1:00:20 PM

Level 1
Oct 13, 2024 1:06:08 PM

The title was in my name, the loan that was used to purchase the vehicle was in my name also. The loan had to be paid off prior to selling the vehicle after being depreciated for the business use for 4.5 years. 

 

Do I have a gain of the difference between the amount depreciated for the final months of 2023 and the amount of total depreciation taken for the 2023 tax year which was 2 months? I am totally confused!

Level 15
Oct 13, 2024 1:14:25 PM

Level 1
Oct 13, 2024 1:28:29 PM

Tagteam,

 

Can you simplify this for a non tax person like me?

 

Depreciation amount taken in 2019 of $51,000 tax year vehicle purchased and business use began.

No depreciation taken for tax years 2020-2023

Vehicle sold in October 2023 for $29,500 (51,000-29,500 = 21,500 lost)

Amend the return and pay tax on $29,500 or $21,500 or percentage based on selling vehicle before 5 years of depreciation had lapsed? Know this was an error and will have to submit a corrected return but trying to figure the consequences/fees/fines and tax liability for the screw-up!

Appreciate your advice. Also your opinion on ownership of vehicle? Owned by me but purchased exclusively for business use?

Level 15
Oct 13, 2024 1:40:13 PM

Level 15
Oct 13, 2024 7:00:38 PM

don't see the entire thread concerning exactly what happened 

however, paying off a loan on the vehicle has no effect on any gain or loss on the sale of a vehicle

I think you need to see a pro to review what you did or didn't do