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Level 2
February 2, 2021
Solved

Eligible Section 179 Property

  • February 2, 2021
  • 1 reply
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I have entered 4 assets but want to take the section 179 allowance as an expense for this year. The smart check continues to flag having the 'Yes' checkbox checked.

Best answer by RayW7

Make sure the asset qualifies for a Section 179 deduction.

 

To qualify for a Section 179 deduction, the asset must be:

  • Tangible (you're able to touch it, which excludes intangible assets like patents or copyrights)
  • Purchased (not leased) for business use
  • Used more than 50% in your business
  • Placed in service (purchased, acquired, or converted to business use) during the current tax year
  • Acquired from a non-related party

The Section 179 deduction can't be claimed for business assets that were acquired in a tax-free exchange or from a person or entity with whom you share a close relationship as specified by the IRS.

You can't claim a Section 179 deduction for more than $1,040,000 in qualified assets. The deduction is reduced if the total of all Section 179 assets you placed in service during the tax year exceeds $2,590,000.

Your Section 179 deduction amount can't exceed your net business income for the year, but if it does, you can carry the excess over to a future tax year.

Finally, you must retain business use of the asset until the end of its useful life. If that isn't possible, you must pay back part of the deduction as a Section 179 recapture.

1 reply

RayW7
RayW7Answer
Level 12
February 2, 2021

Make sure the asset qualifies for a Section 179 deduction.

 

To qualify for a Section 179 deduction, the asset must be:

  • Tangible (you're able to touch it, which excludes intangible assets like patents or copyrights)
  • Purchased (not leased) for business use
  • Used more than 50% in your business
  • Placed in service (purchased, acquired, or converted to business use) during the current tax year
  • Acquired from a non-related party

The Section 179 deduction can't be claimed for business assets that were acquired in a tax-free exchange or from a person or entity with whom you share a close relationship as specified by the IRS.

You can't claim a Section 179 deduction for more than $1,040,000 in qualified assets. The deduction is reduced if the total of all Section 179 assets you placed in service during the tax year exceeds $2,590,000.

Your Section 179 deduction amount can't exceed your net business income for the year, but if it does, you can carry the excess over to a future tax year.

Finally, you must retain business use of the asset until the end of its useful life. If that isn't possible, you must pay back part of the deduction as a Section 179 recapture.

SLamersAuthor
Level 2
February 2, 2021

To be clear this is more of a Turbotax application/checkbox issue - I think.

 

I walked through my information, added my assets - but it's getting hung up later in a check.

 

It says: "Asset ABC Eligible Sec 179 property has an unacceptable value.

[ ] No Entry

[ X] Eligible Sec 179, Yes

[ ] Eligible Sec 179, No

 

 

My items are not more than 50%, they are 50% - so could that be causing the issue?

Level 14
February 3, 2021

Yes.  The instructions clearly states more than 50%.  See below.

 

Instead of depreciating an asset over a multi-year period, you might be able to deduct its entire cost during the first year of use. This is called a Section 179 deduction, also (erroneously) called Section 179 depreciation. Think of it as instant gratification when it comes to deducting the cost of a newly-purchased business asset.

To qualify for a Section 179 deduction, the asset must be:

  • Tangible (you're able to touch it, which excludes intangible assets like patents or copyrights)
  • Purchased (not leased) for business use
  • Used more than 50% in your business
  • Placed in service (purchased, acquired, or converted to business use) during the current tax year
  • Acquired from a non-related party

The Section 179 deduction can't be claimed for business assets that were acquired in a tax-free exchange or from a person or entity with whom you share a close relationship as specified by the IRS.

You can't claim a Section 179 deduction for more than $1,040,000 in qualified assets. The deduction is reduced if the total of all Section 179 assets you placed in service during the tax year exceeds $2,590,000.

Your Section 179 deduction amount can't exceed your net business income for the year, but if it does, you can carry the excess over to a future tax year.

Finally, you must retain business use of the asset until the end of its useful life. If that isn't possible, you must pay back part of the deduction as a Section 179 recapture.

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