In the first year of having a rental property, there are three forms clearly labeled "form 4562" in the tax return. The first one prints in portrait format and is filed with the actual tax return in that first year *only*.
The other two form 4562's print in landscape format. One is titled "Depreciation and Amortization Report" and the other is "Alternative Minimum Tax Depreciation Report".
After that first year, if there is no change to the list of assets on the landscape 4562's, then that specific form is not filed with your tax return. The depreciation taken on the property will be shown on line 18 of the SCH E form every single year the property and/or it's assets are "in service" as a rental asset.
If there is "ANY" change to 'ANY" asset then the portrait 4562 will be generated and filed with the return.
The two landscape 4562's will be in your tax return *every* *year*, no matter what. Those two landscape form 4562's are for your records and are used to keep track of the depreciation history.
