Under the cash method - can I write off equipment as an expense or as depreciation?

[ron2024]

Under the cash method - can I write off equipment as an expense or as depreciation?

[DawnC]

You can claim equipment or depreciation expense if you are self-employed.   When you purchase items for your business, you can either deduct the full cost of the expense at once, or you can deduct the cost over multiple years (depreciation).   One-time expenses typically reduce your income by a larger amount than depreciating an asset over multiple years. This means you could get a bigger refund.

The De Minimis Safe Harbor election lets you deduct the full cost of items worth $2,500 or less, instead of depreciating.   You can also use the Safe Harbor Election for Small Taxpayers to expense the cost of improvements to business buildings if you qualify. These elections are available for Schedule C businesses, rentals, farms, and farm rentals.

For instructions on claiming the De Minimis Safe Harbor Election in TurboTax, select your product.

TurboTax Online

TurboTax Desktop 

[ron2024]

Thank you! So regardless of the accounting method (cash or accrual), if they don't qualify for the de minimis safe harbor election, I have to depreciate them, right?

[DawnC]

Correct.  If you can't expense them under safe harbor, you would depreciate the assets.