File W2's jointly with wife. Also have LLC for side business that earns $200 a month. Do I qual for sec 179 vehicle depreciation if my LLC income is low or loss?

[Critter]

No ... a 179 deduction cannot put you into a loss or increase your loss on the Sch C ... if you do choose to take the 179 deduction the unallowed portion is carried to the next tax year and used if you have a profit that year.  If your income is usually that low consider using the standard mileage rate option instead of the actual vehicle expenses. 

[craig3]

Thanks.  If I depreciate $25,000 this year on a 179, I have to have offsetting revenues of $25,000?

[TaxGuyBill]

Section 179 *CAN* create a Schedule C loss as long as there are Wages for it to offset.

However, in many cases that may not be a good idea.  While the loss would save you income taxes this year, if you use regular depreciation, it shifts the depreciation deduction to future years.  Assuming your business will be profitable, that depreciation deduction in future years would reduce both income tax AND self employment tax.