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posted Jun 4, 2019 9:15:19 PM

FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS I HAVE LEASED A UNIT FOR MY HAIR SALON. IN OCTOBER I BOUGHT A UNIT. CAN I WRITE OFF RENOVATIONS?

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1 Best answer
Intuit Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 9:15:20 PM

It depends. The IRS generally categorizes this type of expense as a capital improvement that must be depreciated rather than deducted as a current expense. However, you may qualify to deduct it as a current expense under the safe harbor election. This option is generally available for Schedule C businesses, rentals, farms, and farm rentals. TurboTax will prompt you to answer questions to determine your eligibility. 

General Rule:

"Capitalize the cost of reconditioning, improving, or altering your property as part of a general restoration plan to make it suitable for your business. This applies even if some of the work would by itself be classified as repairs." 

 "These costs are a part of your investment in your business and are called capital expenses. Capital expenses are considered assets in your business. In general, there are three types of costs you must depreciate."

  • Business start-up costs (See the note below)
  • Business assets
  • Improvements
Please see page 3, IRS Publication 535 for more information: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p535.pdf

Note: If you are just starting a new business, you can elect to deduct or amortize certain business start-up costs. Refer to page 24 under the section titled Business Start­Up and Organizational Costs, in the link above.

Safe Harbor Election:

You may qualify to make a Safe Harbor election and claim the renovation as an expense, instead of depreciating it as an asset. 

Please view the Turbo Tax FAQ below for more information about the Safe Harbor election and instructions on how to make the Safe Harbor election.  https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4682171 


[Edited 01.15.2018 I 4:29 pm]

2 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 9:15:20 PM

It depends. The IRS generally categorizes this type of expense as a capital improvement that must be depreciated rather than deducted as a current expense. However, you may qualify to deduct it as a current expense under the safe harbor election. This option is generally available for Schedule C businesses, rentals, farms, and farm rentals. TurboTax will prompt you to answer questions to determine your eligibility. 

General Rule:

"Capitalize the cost of reconditioning, improving, or altering your property as part of a general restoration plan to make it suitable for your business. This applies even if some of the work would by itself be classified as repairs." 

 "These costs are a part of your investment in your business and are called capital expenses. Capital expenses are considered assets in your business. In general, there are three types of costs you must depreciate."

  • Business start-up costs (See the note below)
  • Business assets
  • Improvements
Please see page 3, IRS Publication 535 for more information: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p535.pdf

Note: If you are just starting a new business, you can elect to deduct or amortize certain business start-up costs. Refer to page 24 under the section titled Business Start­Up and Organizational Costs, in the link above.

Safe Harbor Election:

You may qualify to make a Safe Harbor election and claim the renovation as an expense, instead of depreciating it as an asset. 

Please view the Turbo Tax FAQ below for more information about the Safe Harbor election and instructions on how to make the Safe Harbor election.  https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4682171 


[Edited 01.15.2018 I 4:29 pm]

Intuit Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 9:15:22 PM

I edited the answer above.