turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

stzobery
New Member

For residential rental properties (SFRs), TT shows options to deduct 5 yrs assets using Sec 179. However, isn’t Sec 179 covers ONLY non-residential properties?

There are conflicting answers in the community. 

Connect with an expert
x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

1 Best answer

Accepted Solutions
Anonymous
Not applicable

For residential rental properties (SFRs), TT shows options to deduct 5 yrs assets using Sec 179. However, isn’t Sec 179 covers ONLY non-residential properties?

Section 179 property

For purposes of this section, the term “section 179 property” means property—

(A) which is—

(i) tangible property (to which section 168 applies), or

(ii) computer software (as defined in section 197(e)(3)(B)) which is described in section 197(e)(3)(A)(i) and to which section 167 applies,

(B) which is—

(i) section 1245 property (as defined in section 1245(a)(3)), or




(ii) at the election of the taxpayer,qualified real property (as defined in subsection (e)), and

(C) which is acquired by purchase for use in the active conduct of a trade or business.


1245(a)

(3)Section 1245 propertyFor purposes of this section, the term “section 1245 property” means any property which is or has been property of a character subject to the allowance for depreciation provided in section 167 and is either—

(A) personal property,


the reason for the contrary answers is because it's unclear whether you rental constitutes an active  trade or business.

Whether you rent a single-family house or a multi-unit apartment building, one of the most important tax issues landlords must deal with is whether your rental activity qualifies as a business or an investment for tax purposes. This distinction between the two classifications has important tax consequences. If, like most landlords, you are a business owner, you get certain valuable tax deductions that investors can’t use (including the home office deductions, start-up expenses deductions, and Section 179 expensing). Thus, for tax purposes, it's always better for landlords' rental activity to be a business, not an investment.

Rental Property as Business

Owning rental property qualifies as a business if you do it to earn a profit and work at it regularly, systematically, and continuously. (Alvary v. United States, 302 F.2d 790 (2d Cir. 1962).)

https://openjurist.org/302/f2d/790/alvary-v-united-states  read paragraph 17.  

View solution in original post

3 Replies
Anonymous
Not applicable

For residential rental properties (SFRs), TT shows options to deduct 5 yrs assets using Sec 179. However, isn’t Sec 179 covers ONLY non-residential properties?

Section 179 property

For purposes of this section, the term “section 179 property” means property—

(A) which is—

(i) tangible property (to which section 168 applies), or

(ii) computer software (as defined in section 197(e)(3)(B)) which is described in section 197(e)(3)(A)(i) and to which section 167 applies,

(B) which is—

(i) section 1245 property (as defined in section 1245(a)(3)), or




(ii) at the election of the taxpayer,qualified real property (as defined in subsection (e)), and

(C) which is acquired by purchase for use in the active conduct of a trade or business.


1245(a)

(3)Section 1245 propertyFor purposes of this section, the term “section 1245 property” means any property which is or has been property of a character subject to the allowance for depreciation provided in section 167 and is either—

(A) personal property,


the reason for the contrary answers is because it's unclear whether you rental constitutes an active  trade or business.

Whether you rent a single-family house or a multi-unit apartment building, one of the most important tax issues landlords must deal with is whether your rental activity qualifies as a business or an investment for tax purposes. This distinction between the two classifications has important tax consequences. If, like most landlords, you are a business owner, you get certain valuable tax deductions that investors can’t use (including the home office deductions, start-up expenses deductions, and Section 179 expensing). Thus, for tax purposes, it's always better for landlords' rental activity to be a business, not an investment.

Rental Property as Business

Owning rental property qualifies as a business if you do it to earn a profit and work at it regularly, systematically, and continuously. (Alvary v. United States, 302 F.2d 790 (2d Cir. 1962).)

https://openjurist.org/302/f2d/790/alvary-v-united-states  read paragraph 17.  

For residential rental properties (SFRs), TT shows options to deduct 5 yrs assets using Sec 179. However, isn’t Sec 179 covers ONLY non-residential properties?

Excellent point that it needs to qualify as a business.

However, I suspect 5he main confusion is that it was not allowed for "lodging" before 2018.

For residential rental properties (SFRs), TT shows options to deduct 5 yrs assets using Sec 179. However, isn’t Sec 179 covers ONLY non-residential properties?

WOW ... you missed the change a couple years ago ... the program is correct. 

message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question
Manage cookies