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Get your taxes done using TurboTax
The capital improvements are depreciated over 27.5 years and does not make them eligible for Section 179 or Special Bonus depreciation, First review the information below for the DeMinimis Safe Harbor Election.
If you qualify, you have the expenses in the right place under Miscellaneous expenses, Any other rental expenses. Schedule E, line19. Likewise you do not need to go through all of the questions below which will send you to this location to enter the expenses. Description should be 'DeMinimis Safe Harbor Expense'. Keep close track of any items listed here for all future returns until the assets are gone through sale, etc.
Improvements Election
This election is an option you can take each year that lets you write off some building improvements as expenses instead of assets.
Here are the rules you need to meet to take this election:
- Your gross receipts, including all your other income, are $10,000,000 or less.
- Your eligible building has an unadjusted basis of $1,000,000 or less.
- The cost of all repairs, maintenance and improvements is less than or equal to the smallest of these limits:
- 2% of the unadjusted basis of your building or
- $10,000
This election for building improvements is called the Safe Harbor Election for Small Taxpayers. If you decide to take this option, a form called Safe Harbor Election for Small Taxpayers will show up in your tax return. This election will apply to all your businesses, rental properties or farms. (IRS Tangible Property FAQs)
If you qualify for this, here is the steps to entry (DO NOT SET UP AS DEPRECIABLE ASSETS)
Follow the instructions and if you have only capital improvements answer the question appropriately for $2,500 or less and move to the improvements section.
These questions come up when you select and start Improvements, furnishings and other assets.
- When you come to the screen, Did you buy any items that each cost $2,500 or less in 2021? mark the Yes button and click Continue.
- On the screen Let's see if you qualify to deduct these items as expenses, mark both of the Yes buttons and click Continue.
- On the Now, let's review each item you bought screen, mark whether all your new assets cost $2500 or less.
- If you mark that every item cost $2,500 or less, you will be brought to the Rental Summary screen. You have elected the De Minimis Safe Harbor provision.
- If you mark that some cost above $2,500, you will be asked Did you make improvements to rental in 2021?
- If you say Yes, you will be taken through the screens for the Improvements election.
- If you say No, you will see the screen Do you have any items that aren't covered by your elections? Proceed through the screens to enter these assets.
- On the Rental Summary screen go to the Expenses section and click on the Start/Update box.
- Continue to the Any Other Expenses? screen and enter the description and amount paid for the assets. Click Continue when finished
- Continue to complete your entries
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"