Yes, there is a way to take a partial Section 179 depreciation on the equipment the first year, and then depreciate the rest over the life of the asset. TurboTax will let you enter the $ amount you want to take the first year (see screen shot below). But you cannot choose the depreciate the rest over 3 years unless you call the asset "computer software". Equipment is depreciated over 7 years and that is what TurboTax will do.
Under the Business Tab, scroll down to Business Assets, click on Start or Update and follow the screens to enter the asset. Continue to the screen How Do You Want to Deduct this Item?, click on I'll take a partial section 179 deduction this year. Enter the "amount to deduct" in the box.
