There is an annual election for improvements that allows expensing rather than depreciation if the cost of all repairs, maintenance, and improvement is the lesser of 2% of the unadjusted basis or $10,000.
My question: if I take this election then do I still enter the improvement as an asset or do I simply enter the improvement as an expense. How does TurboTax handle it?
Is there more detailed info on this provision somewhere?
By electing this provision, you are deducting it as an expense. You do not enter it as an asset.
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:
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.
By electing this provision, you are deducting it as an expense. You do not enter it as an asset.
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:
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.
In order to elect the Safe Harbor for Small Taxpayers (SHST), wouldn't you need to enter the improvement in the asset section to make the election so that the form generates? It seems like it would then be entered in the expense section once the election is made. Although it seems like the software would automatically calculate as an expense, once the SHST election is made. Please advise.
You do not enter it as a asset if you are taking the election and expensing the item.