How do I change the rental property depreciation method? It's currently set to 40 year Alt depreciation system. I want to change it to Straight line depreciation.

[prashalva]

My previous filing used 27.5 year straight-line depreciation. I did not use Turbo tax for previous filing

[MinhT1]

In TurboTax, when you enter your property and describe it as Residential Rental property, TurboTax will automatically default to the correct depreciation method over 27.5 years.

[Carl]

If the property is located in the U.S. you are required to depreciate it over 27.5 years.

If the proeprty is located in a foreign country then:

 - If placed in service on or before Dec 31 of 2017 you are required to depreciate it over 40 years.

 - If place in service on or after Jan 1, 2018 you are required to depreciate it over 30 years.

If the current MACRS depreciation schedule being used is wrong, and 2019 is *NOT* the first year using it, then you can't just arbitrarily change it. You have to file IRS Form 3115 - Change in Accounting Method with your tax return, to change it.

The 3115 is *not* simple by any stretch of the imagination. So if you don't "really" know what you are doing, seek professional help.