I rent a storefront in a shopping center for my business. The A/C had to be replaced last summer at my expense for $7,500. Can I deduct this as a maintenance expense?

[AmyC]

No, you can not deduct the air conditioning as a maintenance expense. The IRS uses a heating system as an example of a capital expense in its publication for business expenses. See Pub 535 for complete details.

[Carl]

For you, the new A/C is a leasehold property improvement. You must capitalize it and depreciate it over time.