Within Turbotax when it asks how would you categorize this asset and gives options:
Residential Real Estate
Appliances, carpet, furniture
Land improvements
For a vacation rental on schedule E
What would you classify improvements such as
New light fixtures
New windows
New garage door opener
New nickel board wall paneling
New alarm system
New chimney cap and roof
New sewer line
New outdoor shower
New air conditioner
I assume new mattresses, beds, couches would go under appliances, carpet, furniture?
Can you take special depreciation on these?
Yes, I would classify them as "Appliances, Carpet, Furniture". For any individual item that cost less than $2,500 you can elect the de minimus rule and expense those items. TurboTax will ask you if you purchased any assets that cost $2,500 or less and give you the option to make the election. For items more than $2,500 you will capitalize them, but if they qualify for bonus depreciation the program will give you the opportunity to elect that as well.